Ten Ways to Survive
Your Company’s Holiday Party
It’s Office Party Time — a time most everyone with imminent doom (after all, this event has often ended many a career.) How can you get through your holiday office party without the worry of embarrassing moments (or even worse, pictures) coming back to haunt you? Here are some tips from expert party planner Jen Delaye, President and Owner of JDK Catering, to help you survive.
- Don’t Bring Just Any Date If you have a significant other bring them along (assuming invitees are allowed). Having that special someone by your side will help you feel more comfortable as you mix and mingle with the office crowd. If you’re single – stay single for the party. Remember all of your co-workers will meet and remember whomever you bring along!
- Dress Appropriately For The EventFind out what the dress code is and make sure you obey it. The last thing you want is to arrive at your black tie event dresses as Rudolph.
- Arrive Fashionably Late You shouldn’t be the first one to arrive, not should you be the last. By arriving right in the middle of things, you’ll be there without anyone knowing when you got there.
- Mingle First Upon arrival don’t head straight for the bar, mingle first. If you have a date, introduce her to your colleagues so that they are all acquainted. Try to greet everyone, even if it’s just a “Happy Holidays” and remember, always keep your right hand free to give a good firm shake.
- Limit The Office Talk Get to know your co–workers on a personal level by finding out what there interests are. Think of it as a great opportunity to build a friendship with co–workers, a friendship that could help you out when you’re in drastic need of an extra hand on your next office or home project!
- Drink In Moderation Open bar does mean drink the whole bar. There is always a great temptation to drink a lot at these parties because it relaxes you or makes you socialize more, but remember this is the worst place to be too drunk. Your career could depend on it.
- Avoid the Unplanned Office Party Alliance Don’t hit on your coworkers or their dates! The last thing you want is for your career to take a nose dive because you mixed business with pleasure.
- Choose Your Food Carefully Avoid sloppy hors d’oeuvres. It can make it difficult to maintain your professional image with dip on your tie and sauce right on your pants.
- Have Fun Be a good sport about the activities the company might have planned and participate in them. While you’re at it encourage others to join you, you’ll be the life of the party.
- Forgive and Forget Lastly try and create the understanding that what happens at the holiday party stays at the holiday party. Everyone saw it so laugh about it but don’t describe it in detail; you’ll be respected for your discreetness.