The time for office Christmas parties is almost here! The venue may be booked, the deposit paid and your menu choice made but If this is your first work Christmas party, you’re probably wondering what exactly to expect and how to behave on the night.

This year’s guide to your office party will help you get it right and avoid those office party faux-pas, so you can come back to work in January without regrets.

Keep it professional

Office Christmas parties are a chance to let your hair down at the end of the year, celebrate how hard you’ve worked and get to know your colleagues better outside of your usual work environment. However, it’s crucial to remember that you’ll all be back in the office together come New Year, so you don’t want to get too carried away!

If in doubt, keep it professional. If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing after one too many drinks, set yourself a limit or alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks so you don’t overdo it. You could even volunteer yourself as a designated driver, which will not only ensure you stay sober and in control but also make you popular with your colleagues!

Don’t let fear of embarrassing yourself put you off going altogether. Work Christmas parties can be an important part of office culture and a good way to strengthen relationships with colleagues. Making the effort to attend shows that you’re invested in your job and happy to be there.

Dress classy

Just because it’s an office Christmas party doesn’t mean you need to don your usual business casual workwear! It’s still a party after all! Opt for something simple and classy, such as a full-length evening dress in a block colour or pair tailored trousers with a glittery top and heels.

Festive colours such as green and red are popular choices but black, silver and gold can work just as well for an office Christmas party. Anything with sparkle is an excellent choice, just be careful not to overdo it. You want your outfit to turn heads for the right reasons!

Arrival and exit

No one wants to be the first to arrive but you don’t want to be too late either, especially if your office Christmas party involves a sit-down meal, as many do. If you're nervous about walking in on your own, arrange to travel with colleagues so you can arrive together.

Likewise, it’s a good idea to have a time in mind for when you’ll leave, and to have arranged your travel plans for getting home well in advance. Whether you’re lift sharing, getting a taxi or catching the last train, knowing what time you plan to go home and how will save any end-of-the-night stress and will make sure you’re not the only one left on the dancefloor when everyone else has left.

Get mingling!

Office Christmas parties are the perfect opportunity for socialising and getting to know your colleagues better.

If you’ve already got an established friendship group at work it can be tempting to spend the whole night having fun together, but you should make an effort to chat to people outside your usual team, and try to mingle if you can.

Remember that while this is a work party, most people will be wanting to switch off for the holidays, so try not to ‘talk shop’! If you’re nervous, a smile can go a long way, and above all, don’t forget to have fun!

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