How to Survive the Christmas Office Party
At Christmas time, many people will enjoy one too many cocktails and mince pies here and there.
However, on a work night staying out too late and consuming to excess can mean waking up with tired eyes, a sore head and a bruised reputation! The office Christmas party can often become a hotbed of inappropriate behaviour when drinks flow freely, and many will admit, or at least will know of someone, who, in true Bridget Jones style has humiliated themselves at the annual shindig.
Whether it's giving colleagues a drunken rendition of 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas', whilst dancing on a desk wearing strategically placed tinsel, or telling colleagues a few home truths, this time of year can be fraught with festive faux pas.
Dodging the pitfalls of office party protocol can be a daunting challenge, so, in a bid to help prevent festive frolics leaving people with more than just a hangover, here's the essential guide to surviving the office Christmas party, and the dreaded morning after at work! Proceed with Caution: The first rule of surviving the Christmas office party is all about attitude.
Remember that it is a business function with a social element - boogie big-time by all means, but don't completely forget about Monday morning when 'rebel-rousers' will become accountable for all the actions of the night before.
The last thing anyone wants to do is compromise jobs because of rash behaviour at the office party! Limit the Festive fizz: However tempting it may seem at the time, avoid mixing drinks, be sure to set an even and steady pace throughout the evening and alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water.
Those who can't resist the inevitable peer pressure to indulge in tequila shots may end up losing more than their inhibitions! Dress to Impress: Christmas parties offer the ideal time to lose an understated office image, but the advice is to aim for stylish, not sleazy.
Dress up by all means - but keep it conservative - a backless party dress may look stunning on a night out with friends but it may be inappropriate dress at a business event, which will only draw attention for all the wrong reasons.
Take a tip from the world's best-dressed women when it comes to 'glamming up' - 'more' can definitely be 'more'.
Don't Talk Shop: It may be a business function, but this is an opportunity to get to know colleagues on a more personal level, so don't talk shop all evening - the last thing anyone wants is to be labelled the office bore! Use the Christmas party as an opportunity to get to know colleagues who could perhaps become friends, generally network and perhaps reveal a more rounded personality.
And don't just talk - be sure to listen too! Leave Love at the Door: Statistically one third of all couples meet at work, and considering the amount of time spent with colleagues, this is hardly surprising.
However, using the Christmas party to make a move on a colleague is not a good strategy - especially if fuelled by alcohol.
Arrange to meet away from the eyes of everyone from the office - it'll be much less awkward that way.
Don't be a Wall Flower: Mingle as much as possible.
This is the chance to make people take note, but make sure it is for all the right reasons.
This could be an opportunity to make contacts that prove to be invaluable at a later stage, maybe when making a career move.
Don't cling to familiar colleagues or stay in a comfort huddle - move around and push those boundaries! For those not big on small talk, just go with the flow: smile and join in, and ask people about themselves.
There's nothing people like more than being the centre of attention! Keep fresh for the Office: Choose the right moment to leave the party - no-one should overstay a welcome, but on the other hand it's not great form to be spotted slinking off early.
Choose a reasonable hour to leave and it won't attract comment at work the next day.
If the party naturally goes on into the small hours, apply a skin treat before bed, such as No7 serum, and again on getting up.
No 7 serum is available for both women and men, and will ensure skin looks fresh at work the next day.
Following these tips can help ensure you don't become the talk of the party, for all the wrong reasons but can leave a lasting impression for all the right ones!
However, on a work night staying out too late and consuming to excess can mean waking up with tired eyes, a sore head and a bruised reputation! The office Christmas party can often become a hotbed of inappropriate behaviour when drinks flow freely, and many will admit, or at least will know of someone, who, in true Bridget Jones style has humiliated themselves at the annual shindig.
Whether it's giving colleagues a drunken rendition of 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas', whilst dancing on a desk wearing strategically placed tinsel, or telling colleagues a few home truths, this time of year can be fraught with festive faux pas.
Dodging the pitfalls of office party protocol can be a daunting challenge, so, in a bid to help prevent festive frolics leaving people with more than just a hangover, here's the essential guide to surviving the office Christmas party, and the dreaded morning after at work! Proceed with Caution: The first rule of surviving the Christmas office party is all about attitude.
Remember that it is a business function with a social element - boogie big-time by all means, but don't completely forget about Monday morning when 'rebel-rousers' will become accountable for all the actions of the night before.
The last thing anyone wants to do is compromise jobs because of rash behaviour at the office party! Limit the Festive fizz: However tempting it may seem at the time, avoid mixing drinks, be sure to set an even and steady pace throughout the evening and alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water.
Those who can't resist the inevitable peer pressure to indulge in tequila shots may end up losing more than their inhibitions! Dress to Impress: Christmas parties offer the ideal time to lose an understated office image, but the advice is to aim for stylish, not sleazy.
Dress up by all means - but keep it conservative - a backless party dress may look stunning on a night out with friends but it may be inappropriate dress at a business event, which will only draw attention for all the wrong reasons.
Take a tip from the world's best-dressed women when it comes to 'glamming up' - 'more' can definitely be 'more'.
Don't Talk Shop: It may be a business function, but this is an opportunity to get to know colleagues on a more personal level, so don't talk shop all evening - the last thing anyone wants is to be labelled the office bore! Use the Christmas party as an opportunity to get to know colleagues who could perhaps become friends, generally network and perhaps reveal a more rounded personality.
And don't just talk - be sure to listen too! Leave Love at the Door: Statistically one third of all couples meet at work, and considering the amount of time spent with colleagues, this is hardly surprising.
However, using the Christmas party to make a move on a colleague is not a good strategy - especially if fuelled by alcohol.
Arrange to meet away from the eyes of everyone from the office - it'll be much less awkward that way.
Don't be a Wall Flower: Mingle as much as possible.
This is the chance to make people take note, but make sure it is for all the right reasons.
This could be an opportunity to make contacts that prove to be invaluable at a later stage, maybe when making a career move.
Don't cling to familiar colleagues or stay in a comfort huddle - move around and push those boundaries! For those not big on small talk, just go with the flow: smile and join in, and ask people about themselves.
There's nothing people like more than being the centre of attention! Keep fresh for the Office: Choose the right moment to leave the party - no-one should overstay a welcome, but on the other hand it's not great form to be spotted slinking off early.
Choose a reasonable hour to leave and it won't attract comment at work the next day.
If the party naturally goes on into the small hours, apply a skin treat before bed, such as No7 serum, and again on getting up.
No 7 serum is available for both women and men, and will ensure skin looks fresh at work the next day.
Following these tips can help ensure you don't become the talk of the party, for all the wrong reasons but can leave a lasting impression for all the right ones!
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