This time of year, our schedules are packed with business holiday parties. Many of us enjoy them, and many dread them.

For some, holiday parties have become a necessary evil. Not everyone enjoys interacting with coworkers on a social basis, yet the pressure to make an appearance is strong.

How can we transform our experience of the corporate holiday party from dread to enjoyment? With a little bit of planning.

First, think about your goals in the workplace. While the holiday party is not a place to conduct business, it's a perfect setting to build the foundation for a future move.

Are you hoping to get promoted this year? Maybe you'd like to make a lateral move into another department. Maybe you're sick of your company and are getting ready to make a professional leap.

Once you're clear on your professional goals, assess the players you'll meet at the parties on your calendar.

If you're looking for a promotion, it may benefit you to get noticed by senior management. It would also behoove you to make your boss happy. Think about ways you can make this happen.

For example, a well-placed comment to a senior exec about something your boss accomplished this year, ideally made in front of your boss. Be careful, though, as everyone can sniff out a brown-noser. You want to make sure your comments are timely, relevant and genuine.

If you're looking to jump ship, think about what other departments or companies may be represented at your parties. If they are entirely made up of your departmental coworkers, keep in mind that they have friends and family at other companies and in other departments. Make it your job to learn who they are. Begin to think about how you might build connections with those folks in a way that is casual yet useful.

If you're going to a mixer where you'll meet people from across multiple industries, think about which industries or job functions are most interesting to you. You don't have to be plotting an immediate move, but it will always benefit you to have contacts across multiple industries.

Do some research about the people and industries that will be represented at your party, then zero in on a few of them.

For example, if you've always been intrigued by start-ups and you know that several early-stage software companies will be represented at your upcoming party, investigate those companies and the products they're rolling out. Look for recent industry news about local players and deals.

The research you do prior to a holiday party can prime you for some useful conversations. Not only will you have a basis from which to ask useful questions about an industry that interests you, but you'll also be well-placed to build relationships with professionals who will likely think you're in touch with the world.

No matter what your goal or audience, the number one way to build relationships is to show interest in others. People love to be the center of attention. They love to be considered the expert, and enjoy being asked about their experiences and opinions.

If you're feeling bored at a holiday party, approach someone you don't know well and ask them about themselves (be careful not to ask questions that may be considered too personal or controversial in a business environment, like religion, politics or romantic relationships). At the very least, you'll build a relationship that will make the party more bearable. At most... well, the sky's the limit.

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