It's the holiday season and there are plenty of different parties and functions that you are expected to attend. Do you bring a date or do you go solo (again)? If you've already gone on a few dates with someone that you met online, you can probably gauge whether or not they'd be an appropriate companion at some of this season's functions. But if you're going in blind, it might not be so easy.



Here are some of the holiday things you might be attending this year and the do's and don'ts of bringing an online companion along for the sleigh ride:



- Office parties. In most cases, people only bring their partner to the office party if they have an established relationship (either logn term or marriage). You can probably feel comfortable going solo to this one since you're already used to making small talk with these people.



- charity events. If you're attending any charity events this holiday season, you probably want to bring a date. The big 'no no' here is bringing anyone along who might be potentially embarassing. If you've got a good feeling about an online match, this is usually a safe couples function even if you're meeting for the first time.



- Friends' get-togethers. This one depends entirely on your preferences and on your friends. If you've gone on a few dates with someone and you're ready for some friends to meet the person, this can be a good excuse. If you like to keep your friends and your dates separate for awhile, go stag instead.



- Family functions. Leave dates home. Unless you're in a serious relationship, you don't need to be bringing family and dating together in one holiday space. That's just asking for trouble.



Question of the Day: Which holiday event are you most likely to take a date to this year?