As a Japanese, I must do certain things at the end of December.

1 Forget -year party　忘年会　Bonenkai

Usually Japanese do not have a fun party very often but this is a special party Only once a year in December.

We have experienced things good and bad in a year but at the end of the year, we should reflect and forget things bad and remember things we enjoyed. Most of the workplaces hold Bonenkai Bo Nen Kai.

忘　ぼう (bou)：to forget  　　　　忘れる（わすれる；wasueru)

年　ねん（nen); year     　　　　年　(とし;  toshi)

会   かい (kai)； meeting, to meet　　会う(あう；au)

Bnenkai means literally forget year meeting(party. People spend time eating, drinking, and talking over a year. sometimes they play games and Karaoke, So relaxing and fun.

Bonenkai at workplace

However, Bonenkai at the workplace is like an organized event with MC and speeches like 50% work and 50% fun and it is also a place of 飲ミニケーション where they can make much more conversation more freely over drinking. It is a Japanese work culture, though it is being changed.

飲む　Nomu; to drink, drink alcohol

コミュニケーション；communication

So sometimes we have 3 or 4 Bonenkai. We need to schedule to attend all of them because Bonenkai is only once and to get ready for a new year.

Bonenkai at the workplace should be finished before the last day of work and the end of the year and the new year is the time when the Japanese have family time.

Bonenkai is for everyone!

Even children, students, moms, seniors, clubs, and neighbors have their own Bonenkai with snacks and soft drinks. December is the party month. 

Japanese are very busy and special month.