Good Grief! It's one party invite after another!

I really hate this time of year. My wife just informed me that we're invited to a Christmas party this Sunday. It's walking distance so it gives me a couple options. I can go for a half hour or so and ghost. Then walk home. Or I can just skip it. These are the parties I really hate going to sober. Where I know hardly anyone and have to make small talk. It's not that I'm going to sneak a drink, just that I'll think about drinking the whole time. I used to be okay with these types of gatherings when I drank. But I've been clean for over a year and I think it's best just to avoid these situations. Anyone else have similar issues?