The work Christmas party season is in full swing. Photo / iStock
At the beginning of my career, I couldn't get enough of work Christmas parties. Living in London and working in the music business, I went to a couple every night in the run-up to Christmas. I loved how everyone was dressed up and enjoying themselves, faces free of the worry of the rest of the year.
But, even in an environment where anything goes, a line was still drawn on what not to do at the office Christmas party. I remember one year watching a colleague with a young child to provide for packing up her desk the day after the party. She'd been given her marching orders after getting drunk and telling the boss some home truths. I watched her pack up as wind blew snow against the window behind her.
Any other day of the year, that boss may have been forgiving. He may even have thanked her for telling him, thanked her for stopping him making more of a fool of himself in the industry the following year. Instead, she got the sack right at the "most wonderful time of the year" and no one ever saw her again.
It always stuck in my mind; how quickly things could turn. From that time on, I never fully enjoyed the end-of-year work celebrations, from the Christmas lunches where the bosses got so boozed they got kicked out of the restaurant to the Secret Santa gift of a poster with the best places in the country to throw yourself off a cliff, to the awkwardness of toasting the season with people who have made your life a misery all year.
But, no matter what your feelings are about the office Christmas party, if you're asked, you have to get your party gear on and attend. This holiday season, if want to let your hair down but not ruin your career afterwards, here are tips to get you through:
• Pace yourself. No one wants to be the first to leave an office Christmas party, so they tend to go on for longer than you expect. If you're buying tap beer, no one needs to know it's a light beer. Or, swap every second drink for something non-alcoholic. Make sure you don't arrive with an empty stomach and avoid mixing drinks.
• Don't talk about work. It's the Christmas party, don't bore your co-workers with office talk. It's not the time to discuss politics or try for a promotion.
• Dress appropriately. Don't dress like you would on a night out with friends, keep it professional by just dressing up what you'd normally wear to work. Much as you might want to show off your hairy chest or cleavage, not everyone in the office wants to see it.
• Put away the mistletoe. You're not in a romantic comedy, the Christmas party is not the right time or place to confess your feelings. I still remember the awkward atmosphere at one corporate Christmas lunch where a colleague and the boss fed each other their meals. Even if you're married to your boss or co-worker, no one else in the office wants to see your flirtations.
• Mingle. Don't just stick next to your office bestie, try to sit next to someone you don't normally talk to. However, avoid trying to climb the ladder by strategic mingling. Instead, get to know someone new who can't help you get a promotion. Don't be glued to your boss' side, in other words, and branch out to get to know people in the office you might not know too well.
• Don't gossip or get too personal. Keep the topics light-hearted, even if you're going through a nasty divorce, the office Christmas party isn't the place for a free counselling session with a co-worker. You want to let out tears of laughter at the party, not weep into your wine.
• Everything in moderation, even food. Drink responsibly and don't pile up your plate.
• Be present. You might not want to be there, but at least pretend to be happy. Show you're a team player and realise it's good for office morale to spend time with workmates. Even if it's not your cup of tea, appreciate the time and effort someone has put into organising the party and remember to thank them afterwards.
• Be social, but not online. Put your cellphone away at the office Christmas party. It's the time for communicating face-to-face with the people you work with, not posting about them online.