Holiday Office Parties

It’s that time of year for the annual holiday office party. There’s no need to stress. We are here to provide you with office party ideas and etiquette advice on what to do and what not to do at your office party.

Organize a holiday gift exchange. Sure there’s Secret Santas and white elephant exchanges, but mix up this year and use Elfster. The website makes your exchange easy as pie. Pick the date of the exchange, the deadline for signing up and the spending limit. Invite your office to join the gift exchange online and the site matches participants. Individuals have the opportunity to make a wish list so you don’t end up with a pair of socks and a lottery ticket.

Have a holiday food-themed potluck, a simple way to celebrate the holidays. This is your chance to show off your culinary skills or how you can select the right dish from the food store. If your team likes healthy competition, have a holiday food bake-off.

If there is alcohol involved at your party, don’t drink too much. Even small quantities of booze can loosen inhibitions and you may say something you’ll regret in the morning. You also are not able to read body language as easily, so if you want to gauge how people are reacting to you and how to respond effectively, it’s advisable to stay sober. Order a rum and Coke or gin and tonic for your first drink, then stick to plain Coke or tonic after, no one will know the difference.

Get a sense of formality beforehand. While it is a holiday party, don’t show up wearing an elf sweater with green tights and a Santa Claus hat when everyone else is in sleek suits and dresses. This is a business function, so skip the nightclub attire. Keep your reputation for good taste intact.

Karaoke is hands down always a must; besides it shows you’re a team player and not excessively risk averse.

Maybe take a trip to the movies to see Office Christmas Party with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. Enjoy their epic party held to impress a potential client and be happy your holiday party was not even in close comparison.