The annual office party isn't the option you think it is

'TIS the season once again for the great irony known as the annual office party; a time when everyone is encouraged to let their hair down and not talk shop, and yet there is no shortage of reminders everywhere - your boss's face, for example - that it is, after all, a work event.

If it's your yearly struggle deciding whether to turn up, you're probably not alone. Chances are, most people don't really want to be there, even if there's an open bar or a fancy restaurant.

Look, I hear you. Work gatherings are probably an introvert's nightmare. And even if you're as social as the next person, I can imagine many other ways to spend an entire evening other than to hang out with colleagues you already see more than your own family.

But the truth is, an office party may not be compulsory, but it might as well be. Like the first word "office" implies, it's practically an extension of work. You may be able to convince yourself that no one would notice, but your superiors and teammates certainly would. Unless it clashes with an important family event, the least you can do for your career is to be present.

Why your presence counts

Even if all you want for Christmas is a break from the world (or maybe more specifically, the office), it is still a smart choice to show up. The only instances that I can think of for not going are: a) your bosses and colleagues plan to skip it anyway; b) you have to pay for it, and c) you don't give two hoots about your job.

You might think nobody cares whether you're there or not, but it's always safer to err on the side of caution and assume that people are taking notes. And frankly, it's not a good thing if people don't remember you. Sure, you might be happy being under the radar, but this also means that you're not on people's minds too when it comes to promotions or plum projects.

I mean, your career is unlikely to take off just because you turn up for social gatherings - but it could certainly help. In a world that increasingly prizes collaboration, showing that you are committed to the company, plugged in to the workplace and being a team player are all traits that bosses value.

And if tough times come, it is quite likely that you will be first on the chopping block. Being invisible is a double-edged sword. To put it bluntly, being likeable and well-connected count for a great deal at work.

You might think that you're beyond singing Christmas carols and wearing Santa hats, but since you have decided to go, don't waste your time sulking at a corner. Tell yourself it's just once a year and make the effort to join in the festivities. Showing up as the office grinch is worse than not turning up at all.

Be it at the buffet line or at the bar, smile and make conversation with people in the office you hardly get to meet. You know what they say: everything is interesting, but not everyone is interested.

So, hold off any judgment of your colleagues based on small talk that you make every now and then in the office. It's all about asking the right questions, and who knows, you might find that the connection comes in useful in future.

Get in the party spirit

While it is ill-advised to use office parties as a platform to suck up to your bosses, at least try to get to know them on a more personal level outside work. Just a short, casual chat and a toast to a happy new year would be good enough if you're not very comfortable. If you prefer, do it in small groups with close colleagues. Just don't spend the night hanging out with your own cloistered circle and avoiding eye contact with your boss - it defeats the purpose of going in the first place.

But while people are generally encouraged to come out of their shell and let loose during the office party, just don't forget you're still pretty much at work. Meaning: don't be an idiot by drinking more whiskies than you can handle and end up throwing up like a college school kid. You do not want to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

And on a more serious note, in this era of sexual harassment scandals, it is not a good time to finally "make your move" on someone from the office you've been eyeing all year after knocking back a few drinks. More companies are said to be banning - or limiting - alcohol during year-end festivities in a pre-emptive move to create a safe environment.

What you assume to be harmless fun can seriously jeopardise your job and undo all the good work you've done. Inappropriate behaviour is just not cool, so don't even think of crossing that line.

Now that we have addressed the octopus in the room, we can return to good, clean fun which is what the year-end festivities are all about. Even if you don't like socialising or parties, showing up for awhile is still a good career move even if you don't want to stay the entire night.

And while I may sound like the biggest fan of office parties, I have spent years dreading and avoiding them altogether. It's only lately that I have come to realise what I've been missing out on - and it's not the free booze or lucky draw prizes I'm talking about. The last few times that I told myself I would just hang out for two hours, I ended up staying longer as it's always more fun than I expect.

You don't even have to attend every single social event your company organises - just the important ones. The year-end Christmas party certainly ranks up there. I get it that not everyone is lucky enough to have colleagues you actually like enough to spend after hours with, but I highly suggest giving it a chance even if you don't feel like it. And who knows, you might actually enjoy yourself AND do your career a favour at the same time - cheers to that.