11 Etiquette Tips for Your Holiday Party
December 19, 2012
It’s office holiday party time again! Here are a few tips to make sure you have fun, without forgetting that it’s a business event.
If you’re attending a social gathering this holiday season, hosted by a business colleague, remember these tips:
- Don’t skip the party. If you’re invited to an office party, show up.
- Know the dress code. You don’t want to show up in a Christmas sweater and Santa hat if the party is more formal. And this is not the time to start showing off your cleavage! Best advice: Ask your host or hostess about the dress code before you go, and choose an appropriate outfit.
- Eat before you go. Have a light snack before you go so that you’re not spending all your time at the snack table. And if you plan on drinking, you’ll have something in your stomach.
- Bring a hostess gift. A bottle of wine, or a nice box of chocolates, makes great hostess gifts during the holidays.
- Limit your cocktails. Even small quantities of alcohol can loosen your inhibitions and lead to embarrassing moments at an office party. Limit yourself to one or two cocktails for the evening and then switch to a non-alcoholic beverage.
- Mingle and enjoy yourself. Everyone who hosts a party wants to be sure that their guests have fun. If an impromptu round of Christmas caroling is initiated, join in the fun!
- Put your phone away. An office party is the perfect opportunity to get some face time with your boss or other higher-ups. Leave your phone turned off or on vibrate so you can make the people at the party your priority.
- Avoid excessive “work” talk. As tempting as it might be to spend the time chatting about the latest project, use this time to talk about non-work-related topics. And this is definitely not the time or place to gripe about anything or anyone from work.
- Keep conversations positive and upbeat. Have a few topics up your sleeve – and avoid politics and religion, as a rule.
- Say good-bye. When you leave, be sure to seek out the host / hostess to thank them for the invitation and say good-bye.
- Say “thank you.” Skip the email and send a personal, handwritten note within 24 hours of the party.
Above all else, when attending a holiday office party, remember that it’s still work. No matter how festive the party is, protecting your professional reputation comes first. You don’t want to be remembered with the lampshade on your head at the end of the evening.
Print This Post
