Do you attend the party given by your employer at Christmas?

This is the first year I'll be employed at Christmas. They are throwing a party but I've decided not to go. Some people really wanted to because they're paying for the meal but I would rather not spend three hours with them especially with all of the drama that is going on right now. So I'll be doing other things that evening. We are doing a Secret Santa thing the week before at work. We're doing three small gifts and then one large gift at the party but if you are not attending the party you bring the large gift to work on Friday. So I'll be doing that.

My employer doesnt invite me for christmas parties every now and again but I always find an excuse not to go because I would prefer staying with my family at home and not leaving them alone, especially since they often become sad when I tell them that I can't go to their party because I have another better one to go to. I simply do not want to leave my family at all during christmas holidays. I try to spend all my time with my family especially since christmas is a time where we should go an re-unite with our parents and share the christmas spirit with each other.