Holiday parties are often more trouble than they’re worth. By the time December’s half over and you’ve survived a sloppy open bar or three, the idea of leaving the house ever again can be pretty unappetizing.

This year, take a cue from the Russians: Stay in and throw a banging dinner party.

Ah, Christmas, the introvert's nightmare. If being around all your workmates with copious amounts of alcohol and an expectation of friendly small talk makes your palms start to sweat, don't worry, we got you. Often it can be important to network at these parties to improve your career outlook and make vital connections, but for some people it's much more challenging than others.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, when you have to attend at least one holiday party a week. If you're very lucky, you also have the responsibility of hosting one! Maybe it feels like too much to fill your house with cheer while also guarding the safety of our planet, but just a few small changes can make your festivus much more eco-friendly.

When you think of St Patrick's Day, you probably think of green beer, shot glass necklaces that say "Kiss Me I'm Irish", and everybody talking about how Irish they suddenly are. That's all well and good, but I bet you don't know much about the holiday's origins, or the saint it celebrates. Well, now that you've taken off that stupid hat and stopped talking like a leprechaun for a second, it's time to educate yourself a smidge.