It’s been a whole year since the last Christmas party and it’s safe to say we’re still haunted by Karen’s screechy, cat-strangling solo rendition of Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5, whilst straddling the office printer. *shivers*

But alas, ’tis the season to get inappropriately drunk with work colleagues that you don’t even like. Time to overshare with embarrassing personal stories, and possibly even tactical chunder in Mark’s office bin (once more?).

Yes, we know you wanna sack it off – but give us five minutes. We’ve only gone and compiled a list of amazing reasons why you SHOULD definitely attend this year’s festive office shindig (and live to see next year’s). Tinderella, you shall go to the ball!

1. Free bar

Did someone say free bar? Well, everyone apart from your boss that is.

Who knows, maybe the tight-fisted finance department is saving the pennies to go ‘large’ at the annual Christmas shindig. If the person controlling the purse strings is getting super excited for your work’s do, it’s generally a good indicator that there WILL be a free bar – and rivers of cheap gin will flow.

But, if little Miss or Mr Budget-Spreadsheet been a bit of a scrooge this year? Looks like you could be surviving the night on a miserly ration of drinks tokens. Who knows?

Either way, your boss will be wanting to impress your team, so expect a couple of free drinks at the very least. And maybe even a free bar too, if you’re lucky. Be ready to take advantage.

2. The chance to flirt properly

Let’s face it. You can’t beat rubbing up against the office cutie and then sharing a wistful ‘aaaah, what could have been’ for the whole of January.

Seriously, the office is no place for heavy petting, so if you fancy the pants off that new graphic designer? The Christmas party’s your best chance, so pucker up and go get ’em tiger.

3. Keeping your job

Obviously, turning up to your Xmas party is not going to be the difference in whether you’ve still got a job in January, but there is some science behind it.

Some bosses take it personally, like REALLY personally, if you’re a no-show. Rather weirdly, they’d be happier to see you getting merry on their money than sat at home watching the Gogglebox Christmas special, or something much worse.

Be warned: The dreaded Christmas work party is often used as a test to see whether you’re comfortable with your colleagues and if you’re a ‘team player’. If you want to get paid next year? Do. Not. Fail.

4. The Christmas party stories

Clearly, the large majority of the office conversations for the next 12 months are going to revolve around this year’s Christmas celebration antics. Witnessing the debauchery of your fellow colleagues is only going to set you up with conversation gold for the next year. Plus, you’ll now know how ‘Filthy’ Simon in accounts got that nickname.

Not only that, but you’ll also be able to tell any new persons about that ex-colleague who did something so ridiculous at last year’s Christmas celebration it’s the sole reason why they’re now an ex-colleague.

5. You won’t be talked about

No one wants to be the butt of the office jokes just because they decided to wash their hair on the same night as the office Christmas do, but it’s known to happen.

Being labelled as boring is not cool, so we suggest that you quickly finish drying your hair, don your gladrags and hitch a ride to your local Revolution. Pronto!

6. You’ll get to talk about other people

Everyone knows that the work’s annual yuletide party is where ALL the tea – and a few G&Ts to be fair – gets spilled.

Inter-department affairs? The depressing whiff of redundancies? Somebody (married) secretly Slacking someone they definitely shouldn’t be? Needless to say, the good goss aaaalways gets outed once co-workers get giddy at the Christmas do, and you do NOT wanna miss it.

7. It’s probably not that bad…

Nervous energy naturally surrounds the build up to the often fateful office Christmas do but trust us, they’re probably not as bad as they first seem.

Each and every one of your colleagues is in the same awkward boat as you, so just relax. Fine-tuning your small talk and perfecting that dead-behind-the-eyes smile are two killer moves. If these fall short of the mark, it’s head down and straight to the bar.

Well, if it’s really that bad, you’ll be reassured to know that it’s only another 12 months until you have to do it all again…

If you want to guarantee a crackin’ Christmas celebration, then hit up our glittering party options. We can’t fix your colleagues, but we can sort out a proper great party for you this festive season. We’ve got everything you want for your Christmas party and more.