Is your company having an office Christmas party this year? Some places, like us here at the radio station, usually at least have one inside the office. This year, they are also throwing a nice get-together at a local downtown restaurant, outside the office. You may dread these social gatherings because the last thing you want to do is spend 3 hours outside work with the people you just spent 8--or more--with. You don't get enough time with your family as it is, so you'll pass. You feel like it's a "mandatory fun" situation, which automatically means you think you won't have fun.  You'd rather have a bonus than have an office party. All you want to do is go home and throw on your sweats or PJs and veg out. You'd rather have a root canal--or binge watch the latest season of "The Walking Dead" than spend any more time with co-workers. I get it. But there are some very good reasons to attend that holiday office party.

  • 1

    It's Free

    Your company is giving you free dinner and drinks and you don't want to go? That's a no-brainer. Venture out for a few hours and enjoy some free perks. But experts also say not to go hog-wild on the free food and drinks, and to show some decorum and professionalism. Also keep in mind, it may be free for you, but not necessarily to the company.

  • 2

    Networking

    Make no mistake. You may think you know everyone you'd care to know at your office but it never hurts to mingle with new people, find out what's happening on their side of the office--and possibly even set yourself up with some new opportunities--or further show you appreciate the ones you may have recently been given.

  • 3

    Improve Your Reputation

    Some people, I'm not naming names, occasionally appear to possess a Grinchy, Scroogy, anti-social, all-businesslike attitude at work. You could go a long way toward showing your softer side by attending the holiday party.

  • 4

    Hang Out With Your Friends

    Besides meeting "new" office mates, we could all use a little extra bonding with our familiar friends from work, and the holiday office party is an organized opportunity to do so.

  • 5

    It's Fun

    This speaks for itself. It will be a lot more fun than you think if you can bring yourself out of your comfort zone to attend for a few hours. Go. Eat, drink (within reason) and be merry. Get up, dress up and show up--to paraphrase a popular expression. If nothing else, grin and bear it, as they say, and you might be glad you did.

More From 104-5 KDAT