And here's a contrarian viewpoint. One of our good friends has her annual Christmas party the first Friday of December. She invites all of the wrong crowd, i.e. the various reprobates that we've associated with on and off over the past 35 years. Her house is a Sears Kit home from the 40's that's too small for the number of people that show up.

She makes the main course dishes, and everyone brings sides, appetizers, and desserts and liquor, lots of liquor. There's a large patio with a fire pit, and most wind up there. It's great to see people you haven't seen for a couple of years, and there aren't any uncomfortable conversations with plastic people. 20 years ago, we'd stay until 2-3 in the AM. Now we leave at 10-11 PM, being older and more responsible (yeah right).

We were really bummed that we couldn't go last week, as we had a very sick cat that needed attention and medicine, who's now sitting in front of the keyboard making it difficult to type.

Other parties, we don't attend, due to many of the reasons above, but Christmas parties that are a ****load of fun to attend do exist.