Don’t Become the Office Meme at Your Holiday Party!

HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS PARTY / GAVE BOSS “COME HITHER” LOOK

DON’T KNOW WHAT I DID AT LAST NIGHT’S HOLIDAY PARTY / AND AT THIS POINT I’M AFRAID TO ASK

Not interested in being featured on office party memes like these? We didn’t think so!

Office parties are a great way to bring employees together and celebrate the cheer of the holidays. But unless you want to be meme fodder, you need to behave responsibly. After all, it’s an office party – not an excuse to drink too much eggnog and risk losing the respect of your co-workers.

If you’re new to the world of work or could just use some practical guidance, PrideStaff has put together this list of tips to have a great time at your holiday party without any regret:

Be merry in moderation.

• Consider your tolerance – and plan accordingly. Decide before the party how much (if any) alcohol you will consume, so you don’t get caught up in all the “holiday cheer” and wind up drinking more than you’d planned.
• Eat a good lunch if you’ll be starting your office party with a happy hour, and sample a few appetizers if they’re available. This will help ensure that anything you drink will be absorbed into your bloodstream more gradually.

Dress appropriately.

You’ve worked hard to develop a great reputation for yourself at work – don’t let your party wardrobe choices ruin it. Whether it’s a formal or casual affair, an office party is not the place to wear a revealing or sexy outfit.  When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Time your entrance and exit.

Your boss and teammates will take note of when you arrive and leave, so make sure your attendance sends the right message:

• Arriving 30 minutes before the event ends is the equivalent of saying “I don’t really want to be here; I’m just fulfilling an obligation.” Even if this is true, don’t risk losing the respect of your co-workers by communicating it nonverbally.
• Staying well after the party ends could be misinterpreted by management that you’re a hard partier – which, again, is not the right message to send.

Plan your ride home ahead of time.

If you plan to drink at all, designate a driver ahead of time – whether that’s a sober co-worker, a taxi or an Uber. Having your ducks in a row demonstrates your responsibility, while ensuring you will arrive home safely.

Thank your host(s) and party planner(s).

Take a few minutes before you leave to thank everyone who helped to coordinate and fund the party. Chances are they put a lot of time, effort and money into creating a great experience! Expressing your appreciation is not only the polite thing to do; it also makes you stand out (in a good way) from all the attendees who leave without saying a word.

Enjoy your office party – and Happy Holidays from all of us at PrideStaff!