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How to survive the office Christmas party

Office Christmas party coming up? Avoid the gossip-mongers and impress with our guide to perfect party etiquette.

Hoorah – it’s finally time to let your hair down and dust off your best party frock. But as we all know, the Christmas party can be a minefield of office politics, sexual tension and booze-fuelled antics; in other words, a recipe for professional disaster. The trick is to keep your wits about you and not get so drunk that you lose the ability to make intelligent decisions. Remember, regardless of where the party is being held, it is an extension of the workplace, and you must behave accordingly.

Keeping sight of our tips below should help:

What not to wear

Dress appropriately – less is definitely not more in this instance; neither is anything that presents your breasts in a serving-hatch position. If you want to be taken seriously and hang on to your professional credibility, think elegant and classic.

Pace yourself

Remember, just because the booze is free doesn’t make this a drinking competition.

Remember, just because the booze is free doesn’t make this a drinking competition. Make your wine a spritzer by adding lemonade, soda or sparkling water, and stick to the same drinks. By drinking less you’ll remember everyone else’s embarrassing antics – perfect tea-making blackmail material.

Water is your friend

You've heard it a million times, but drinking plenty of water will stop you peaking too early and ensure you last the duration of the party without any red-faced moments. Try to have a glass of water in between every alcoholic drink. If you don't want to look like a lightweight, ask for water in a half-pint glass with a slice of lime and tell anyone who asks it’s a gin and tonic.

Watch your mouth

Resist the urge to have a whinge about your job – that supervisor you’re moaning about might be standing right behind you at the buffet. If you must vent, do it outside with someone you trust.

No sex, please…

Ah, the demon that is drunken lust. If Richard from payroll is looking particularly hot with your beer goggles on, approach with extreme caution. Think subtle, not ‘take me I’m yours’. While flirting is permissible (after all, thousands end up marrying people they work with), sex is not.

Get home safely

If your company isn’t providing transport home, pre-book a taxi before you head out. Also, see if you can share a cab with colleagues and split the cost. If you pre-book you can always change the time rather than hobbling around in your heels trying to hail a cab at the end of the night. If you do get stuck somewhere, make sure you call a friend to let them know where you are.

Things to remember

Arm yourself with the following before you go out: enough cash to get home safely; details of the venue and where it is; your phone, so you can call someone in an emergency; plus details of alternative cab companies.

Remember, the office party is meant to be fun. The object of the exercise isn’t to be a wallflower nursing soft drinks all night, just to hold it together sufficiently that your reputation remains intact. And to keep your bare bottom away from the photocopier…

Expotel is a leading UK events booker. To find out more, call Expotel on 0844 793 7300.

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