Ah, the office holiday party. Some employees love the opportunity to celebrate -- or view it as a chance to gather intel from coworkers and debrief on office politics. But for some workers, the year-end celebration can be a dreaded annual requirement. Perhaps you're a remote employee who would rather get a gift card in lieu of an awkward virtual gathering, or maybe you're just confused about how to dress for the occasion.

Holiday parties have slowly made a comeback since they were put on hold at the height of the pandemic, but they've also transformed in that time. Gone are the days of lavish, multimillion-dollar parties, especially amid ongoing layoffs in industries like tech. Many companies now have to navigate ringing in the holidays with far-flung employees -- while those with strict return-to-office policies might be looking to curry favor with disgruntled employees.

Whatever you have planned, here are a few things to keep in mind as you put the final touches on your company's holiday party this year:

Holiday parties and other social events in the workplace can be a valuable way to foster relationships or connect with coworkers you wouldn't ordinarily encounter. "In an era of remote work when many workers are not getting as much face time, the holiday party can serve as a chance for teams to talk about life instead of work, find common ground, and build friendships," writes workplace culture strategist Jennifer Moss.