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Surviving the office Christmas party

Created at 21:01 on Thu 26th Apr 2007

Submitted 10th April 2006 by Thomas Patrick

The ‘silly season’ comes round only once a year…and with it the office Christmas party.  An occasion when mature and usually sensible professionals have a strange tendency to knock back ridiculous quantities of alcohol, dance suggestively on table tops and let slip outrageous revelations that would surely have been better kept quiet.

The festive bash can be a potential minefield but with a little restraint there is no reason it shouldn’t be a great fun evening and a chance to let your hair down.  Deal with your hangover the next day, but avoid any regrets!

 
Top 10 tips...

 

• Dress appropriately and make an impression for the right reasons. Check the dress code which will usually be determined by the venue or the theme of the party.

 

• Time your arrival right.  You don’t want to be the first to turn up…or the last.  Check you know the itinerary for the evening, as turning up halfway through the main course is not going to do you any favours.

 

• However tempting it may seem at the time, avoid mixing your drinks, be sure to pace yourself throughout the evening and alternative with soft drinks or water. Resist the inevitable peer pressure to indulge in tequila shots or you may end up losing more than your inhibitions! 

 

• Don’t let your alcohol loosened tongue lash out at someone you have a grievance with.  Christmas is a time for reconciliation, celebration and festive spirit, and the office party is a time to have fun, get to know colleagues better (but not TOO much!).

 

• Remember to bring cash.  Not all companies have the budget to lay on an open bar or complimentary wine with the meal.  And at the very least you’ll need enough money to pay the cab fare home.

 

• Mingle with everyone but don’t monopolise the conversation with the senior management.

 

• Don’t talk shop all evening and risk being labelled as the office bore. Use the Christmas party as an opportunity to get to know your colleagues on a more personal level, generally network and show other positive aspects of your personality. And don’t just talk – be sure to listen too.

 

• Avoid romantic liaisons. Studies have shown that one third of all couples meet at work and considering how much time you spend there, this is hardly surprising.  However, using the Christmas party to make your move on the colleague you’ve always secretly had the hots for, is not a good strategy – especially if fuelled by alcohol.  Remember you have to work with them all year.

 

• Best not to leave the party with someone you don’t want to get into a sticky situation with.  In fact, organising your transport home before the party is a good trick that can make all the difference to the end of the night.

 

• Most importantly, have a fantastic night, join in, have fun and be sure to leave with your dignity intact!