Surviving the Office Christmas Party

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While some companies may choose to skip the traditional office Christmas party this year, many more will go ahead with the seasonal merriment, seeing it as a way to boost employee morale at the end of what has, for many, been an incredibly harrowing year.

Of course, for some workers the prospect of a looming Christmas party could be the most harrowing thing of all, but love it or loathe it, this is potentially a very trick event for anyone who’s career minded.

To avoid waking up the next morning, looking back and cringing at your exploits in front of your co-workers and boss the night before, we’ve compiled this handy office Christmas party survival guide just in time for the start of the silly season:

• Watch what you drink: this sounds obvious, but is the single most important thing you need to remembers. Yes you want to let your hair down and have a bit of fun, but you don’t want to be the one falling over on the dance floor mid-way through the night. Enjoy a few social drinks with work colleagues… but pace yourself, and keep a clear head.
• Don’t be the first to arrive, or the last to leave: you don’t want to be sitting alone at the bar when everyone else starts to arrive, and being the last to leave can suggest that you don’t know when to call it a night.
• Leave office politics at work: this isn’t somewhere to score points or snipe at your work colleagues. This is a social engagement, and in the spirit of the season you should aim to keep things social; so, no spreading malicious gossip or venting work-based frustrations.
• Leave work at the office: there’s much more to you than just your work, and the same holds true about the people you work with. This is your chance to let your personality shine through..
• Mix and match: while you’ll innevitably spend a lot of the evening with one group of close colleagues, try to avoid being cliquey. Mingle, and at least have a passing conversation with everyone you know at the party – even if it’s just to wish everyone a merry Christmas.

• Don’t suck up to the boss: say hello to your boss, and be social, but don’t go out of your way to engage in lengthy conversation with him or her. Remember this isn’t the place to talk about that pay rise, promotion or review.
• Dress for the occasion: the party is a perfect opportunity to dress up a bit, and to let people at work see a side of you they don’t normally see. Just make sure you dress in something that’s appropriate for the chosen venue and/or event, and don’t go too overboard — remember, you still have to work with these people.
• Avoid impromptu romantic engagements: hooking up with someone at the Christmas party – or leaving with them – might seem like a good idea at the time, but it usually backfires… so be careful.
• Enjoy yourself: as long as you stay aware, don’t drink so much that it clouds your judgement, and bear the above points in mind, this is a great opportunity to relax, have fun and let your work colleagues see the lighter side of you. Remember the office Christmas party is just that – a party – so make the most of the occasion. Just remember that beneath the veneer of the tipples and the tinsel this is a work function, and therefore an extension of the working environment. Make sure you leave with your honour and reputation intact.

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