Attending the office Christmas party can be such a hassle for some people. If not for the food, it might not even be worth coming. You’re expected to have fun and celebrate and make all kinds of merriments. But if the people you’re with don’t put you in the mood for merry-making, you have to force yourself to be merry lest your boss takes it against you.

It’s a social event. I know, it’s not like you’re going to meet someone new and interesting but regardless, it is a chance to mingle. Who knows? There might indeed be a few people whom you’ve never had the chance to know. Somebody from the other departments could be a kindred spirit.

Talk to people. Even if you don’t enjoy the company, you should still make an effort to make conversation with some of the people. If you keep to yourself, you will be marked as a loner. The last thing you want your officemates to know is that you hate them–so even though you really do, just smile and talk to them. The best way to talk to people you don’t like is to minimize it. After you said a few nice words, you can resume to whatever it is you’d rather do.

Show up, then make an excuse after a few hours. Christmas parties can last the whole night, but you don’t have to be the last one to leave. If such is the duration of your Christmas party, you can still attend. Show up, join the dinner, and leave after the first two hours. Make an excuse involving a family emergency or something as serious so that you will have a “valid” reason. Being there for a short while is better than not being there at all.

Don’t get drunk. At first, it might seem like a good idea to get drunk instead of talking to people you loathe, but it’s very risky. If you get drunk, you might end up saying your true feelings about people in the room. Keep yourself sober, and endure it. After all, after that you’re going to have a long vacation without seeing them.