Black tie. Creative black tie. Cocktail. Casual Chic. We’re guessing you have an idea of what half of these dress code terms mean, but the other half is rather confusing. Dress codes are not only becoming more popular, but are also becoming more obscure. “It used to be it was either no dress code at all or black tie. There was nothing in between, and now it seems like every invitation you get has some variation on a theme that is just incredibly confusing,” says Hope Greenberg of Lucky.Thankfully, Greenberg deciphers these dress codes just in time for your holiday party.

Sure, it’s the season of twinkling lights, favorite classics on TV, batches of cookies, and pitchers full of eggnog, but it’s also the season of those dreaded soirees with people you’d like to never spend another evening with, wine-soaked or otherwise. Whether it’s an office party you’d love to get out of, an ex who insists on remaining “friends,” or a former neighbor’s yuletide bash, the Holiday Party Excuse Generator can compose the perfect note to send to the host, so you don’t have to endure another evening making small talk with satin-draped people who make your skin crawl. Check out this awesome note the generator composed for me, and give it a whirl yourself! Unless, of course, you’re one of those rare people who’s never met an invite you can’t turn down. [Holiday.enlighten.com]

So you can’t afford to buy holiday gifts and a new outfit for a holiday party you’re planning to attend. What’s a girl to do? Snatch up one of these really cool clutches from girlbyAileen and some coordinating costume jewelry to instantly update your little black dress. Handcrafted from Amy Butler Lacework, this clutch looks vintage, but isn’t. Yet, we can almost guarantee you won’t spot anyone else carrying it. [$42, Etsy]

My BF has been trying to persuade me to cook for him lately because he often cooks for me. I’m not really interested in cooking, so I know it would mean a lot to him if I made the effort. I’ve decided to prepare this recipe for vegetarian lasagna because it fits all his dietary restrictions. I’m thinking I’ll make it for his birthday dinner in January. But first, I’ll have to try it on a guinea pig a.k.a. Mom this month. I think you should also try a new recipe this month because a dish of food is always an appreciated gift at a holiday party. Check out these excellent recipes if you’re looking for something new.

See all the ways to make the most of the last 31 days of 2008 here.

Though I can’t remember his name, I can still recall the face of the guest who whipped out a handful of Ziploc bags as a long ago Christmas party was winding down. “Do you mind if I take some of these cheese puffs home with me?” he half-asked, shoving the leftover snacks into a bag. “What about these tortilla chips?”

Too shocked to do anything but nod, my acquaintance left with a stash of snacks and a permanent place on my own personal Do Not Call list.

When I first started writing this piece, I figured it would be about not making a fool of yourself at the company holiday party. But the more I researched, the more it seemed that pretty much every business on the planet has cancelled their annual soirees. I get that you can’t lay off half your staff and then ply the other half with six-foot sandwiches and cheap booze, but I think a lot of companies are using this financial downturn as an excuse. Bah humbug!

You’ve probably been invited to at least one holiday party so far, and unless you live in a nudist colony, you can’t go to it naked. Here’s what we think you should put on this month if you want to impress your boss without showing him your boobs, dazzle your boyfriend’s family, or get festive in bed.

It’s hard not to get smitten with someone at an open bar, especially if you’re single in December. The tricky thing is that a lot of the holiday parties are for business, so pleasure would have to be a secret bonus. However, the seasonal soirées bring about the best time to finally go for that cutie in accounting that you’ve had your eye on. After a year’s worth of fantasizing over the copy machine, a hot romp with an officemate can be spicier than eggnog. While it might not be the most professional move, it can be just what you need to get you in the giving spirit. So, here’s how you turn the heat up on your love life during the cold weather holiday gatherings…

Every girl needs a little sparkle in her life, and these earrings provide the right dose—not too much and not too little. They definitely have an elegant vintage feel without the vintage price tag. These flower earrings are perfect for holiday festivities because they kind of look like snowflakes and a little razzle-dazzle is always appropriate this time of year. They’d also be a pretty addition to your outerwear ensemble because your earrings are usually visible when you’re all bundled up. But we also think these earrings would be equally smashing with jeans and a white tank when the temperature warms. [$25, Topshop]

I was just having a look at Old Navy‘s website—it’s one of the few stores I can shop at lately without feeling guilty about spending money—and I was shocked by how totally cute their holiday clothes are this year. They’re perfect for all the parties that will be filling your social calendar during the next couple months. Check out a few of my favorites.