A Girls Guide to the Office Christmas Party

The office Christmas party is usually known as the occasion to relax, drink, dance and voice your opinion on work issues that probably should be kept quiet. As a woman climbing the corporate ladder use the office Christmas party as a chance to connect and build relationships with senior managers and colleagues you generally don’t get a chance to work with on a daily basis.

5 Tips to remember:

1. Dress appropriately

Dress appropriately. When choosing an outfit consider dress code, theme, location and time of day. Don’t dress as if you are going to a nightclub. Stay clear of too tight fitting or too much cleavage. Make a smart choice with the footwear, heels may look hot, but if you’re on your feet all night consider having emergency flats. The absolute worst look is a corporate woman with no shoes on. Go for understated elegance and style.

2. Network

Show off your communication skills by circulating and talking to everyone. Avoid gossip, rude jokes and complaining. Keep the conversation light and talk about hobbies, interests and holidays. The key to all networking is listen; be responsive and not too serious.

3. Mind your manners

Nothing undermines your professional image more than holding your knife and fork like a hillbilly or stuffing finger food down your mouth. Place your finger food on a napkin first instead of eating directly from tray to mouth, and don’t double dip! If the party is a sit down dinner you may need to brush up on dining etiquette.

4. DON’T overindulge 

It’s a good idea to say hello to all senior managers early in the evening before you’ve had alcohol. Since it’s a social event it’s okay to have a glass of beer, wine or champagne at a party but set yourself a limit and stick to it. No matter how hard you try to make up for drunken foolishness later, bad behavior will haunt you for years. Also never let yourself be photographed holding a drink in your hand.

5. DON’T flirt 

This is not the time to snuggle and whisper to your colleague you have the hots for. Avoid anything that looks like mistletoe or close affection. What may seem like harmless cuddles and kisses could become a sexual harassment complaint after the party has ended.

A office Christmas party is more business than party. It can be a minefield, but with a little thought and preplanning there is no reason why it should not be a fantastic fun event.

63 Comments

- - maureen3 said
  - 17 Jun 2013
    5:51 pm
An interesting and informative article

- - scipia said
  - 29 May 2013
    8:58 pm
Just remember that you have to go back to work after the party and face everybody.

- - tobysmummy said
  - 28 May 2013
    9:33 pm
I know of many people who have “Christmas party sagas” to tel, where it has all gone wrong lol

- - tobysmummy said
  - 28 May 2013
    9:32 pm
Great read, thank you 😉

- - smiles said
  - 17 May 2013
    8:39 pm
Such good points that a lot of people need to consider when going to work functions. Being sensible in most areas like dress, drink and actions is a must.

- - smiles said
  - 17 May 2013
    8:37 pm
At my workplace fuctions we did not supply alcohol and if you wanted alcohol you purchased it yourself. It seemed to restrict the overindulging of alcohol.

- - mrs harkness said
  - 16 May 2013
    2:27 pm
I really hate the open bars at our work functions as some people just go to far.
- missangela replied
  
  25 Aug 2013 , 6:00 pm
  I bet the regret it later.
  - meros replied
    
    31 Aug 2013 , 10:10 pm
    
    Never seen it happen but I could imagine the result
- - Highfive said
  - 30 Apr 2013
    11:33 am
dress approriately!! cannot stress this enough!

- - snoopy said
  - 30 Apr 2013
    10:55 am
The age group of your co workers sometimes indicates what sort of party to expect.

- - beckyjco said
  - 29 Apr 2013
    3:29 pm
Good to know. I’d say by Christmas I would have found a new job. Fingers crossed.

- - snoopy said
  - 23 Apr 2013
    12:54 pm
Sometimes I this the work Christmas parties can bring out the worst in some co workers.

- - riss_whatever said
  - 23 Apr 2013
    9:50 am
I don’t go to our staff Christmas lunches/dinners. The staff are too clicky at work let alone at these things.

- - missyboo9 said
  - 17 Apr 2013
    1:40 pm
I stopped going to work functions after other staff got drunk and aggressive my hubby doesnt want me socialising with them in fact he didnt even want me to return to work. im the only female in my company.

- - mrs-harkness said
  - 08 Apr 2013
    8:39 am
I stopped going to our work party after the massive food fight of 2009. A few drinks and my co workers went feral. Such a shame as we were sharing the venue with another company.

- - fengari said
  - 04 Apr 2013
    5:05 pm
“Mind your manners” is so important at ALL work functions, not just Xmas parties 🙂