Having worked hard all year, it is time to let off steam and enjoy ourselves at the office Christmas party. It may be the season to be jolly, but a few of us ordinarily rational souls are apt to take things just a bit too far by consuming vast amounts of alcohol, flirting shamefully with the management and dancing far too suggestively on office desk tops or on bar tables. This felicitous event can sometimes be a bit of a social minefield, but with a little restraint, it is possible to have a fabulous evening whilst keeping your dignity intact. The worst thing you may have to deal with is a hangover.
Here are 10 Top Tips Enjoying a Regret Free Christmas Party
- Take Care When Dressing - be acquainted with the dress code for the evening. For the ladies, make sure skirt lengths are acceptable necklines too exposing. For the men, check that ‘smart casual’ includes jeans and trainers.
- Arrive on time - There is no joy in being the first or last person to arrive.Try to agree a meeting time with one or several colleagues so that you all arrive together. Fashionably late does not apply to the office dinner dance.
- Drinks may not be included – so take cash. Not all companies supply funding for the entire evening’s entertainment. You may only receive wine with your dinner.
- Drink carefully – Sure, it’s tempting, but try to abstain from mixing your drinks. That old saying ‘don’t mix grape and grain’ tells the truth, so either drink wine or spirits or beer. Being kind to yourself by having soft drinks as well and most importantly water during the evening will help reduce the alcoholic effects.
- Be careful what you say – Alcohol can loosen your tongue and you might let a work colleague know precisely what you are thinking of them! Try to stay in control. Christmas is the season of goodwill – not for the unvarnished truth. By all means get to know your colleagues better (but not too well….)
- Beware of romance – You have to work with your workmates all year and although it believed that over a third of couples meet whilst at work, the Christmas party is really not the place to make a move on that special person who you have secretly admired. Imagine how embarrassing it will be when sharing your office desk with them the next working day.
- Mingling is good - but monopolising the conversation with the senior management is a definite no no.
- Don’t talk business all evening - you might risk being known as the office bore. Be charming and engaging and get to know your colleagues more intimately, whilst remembering to listen and appear interested.
- Have your transport home organised – this way, you won’t be leaving the party with someone you don’t know very well or find yourself in a difficult situation. A clever little strategy that can make all the difference when the night ends.
- Above all, have a ball - enjoy the party and let your hair down. Following these tips will make sure that your dignity remains intact!
Andrew Spencer writes informative and useful articles on office furniture. For more about: office desks, office chairs, reception counters, meeting tables and office screens see http://www.londonofficefurniture.co.uk/blog
