How to Survive Your Office Christmas Party

Over a third of British workers dread their work Christmas party because they’re scared of looking ridiculous on the dancefloor.

Does the phrase ‘Christmas party’ fill you with trepidation? Fear not! We’ve come up with four tips to help you navigate this annual event with style.

Dress appropriately

You might be going to a Christmas party but it’s still a work event and your choice of outfit should reflect this. Avoid anything that’s too short, too low cut, or too revealing in any other way! However, it’s fine to add a little sparkle and a pop of festive colour.

Keen to show your glamorous side? Try wearing luxurious fabrics like velvet or satin. You could also add some sophisticated accessories. Higher heels, sparkly earrings and impractical handbags are all acceptable.

Don’t overindulge

The table might be laden with moreish mince pies, but that doesn’t mean you should pile them onto your plate. By all means enjoy a couple, but gluttony isn’t going to impress your managers.

An effective way to reign in your appetite is to eat something before you go out. Munching on food that’s high in protein and carbs will also prevent you from getting tipsy too quickly. However, lining your stomach before you drink alcohol won’t stop you from getting drunk. According to the NHS, it will simply delay the process.

If you can’t resist the warm mulled wine on offer at your party, consuming a glass of water in between each drink can help you to stay hydrated and prevent you from overindulging.

Mingle

Instead of simply chatting to people you know well, think of your work Christmas do as the perfect opportunity to meet colleagues from different departments. You might even get the chance to chat with the CEO, but even if you don’t, try and thank them before you leave.

You may be at a work party, but this isn’t the time to focus on office politics. Keep the mood light by planning a few conversation starters. You could comment on the venue, ask what your colleagues are doing for Christmas or chat about their interests outside work. Just avoid making any innuendos and save your corny jokes for the Christmas dinner table.

When you’re making small talk, listen intently, smile and make eye contact. If you spot someone you really keen to connect with, move on politely by saying how much you’ve enjoyed talking to your colleague.

Steer clear of social media

Tempting as it is to post a video of your colleagues giving a drunken karaoke performance, resist! They may not be amused to see it on their timeline once they’ve sobered up. Constantly tweeting and sharing pictures while you’re at the party could also annoy your colleagues and reflect badly on the company.

Of course, you can’t control what other people post on social media. The best way to avoid ending up in an embarrassing Instagram post? Make sure that you behave appropriately throughout the night.

Follow our top tips and your work Christmas party should go without a hitch. You never know, you might even enjoy it!

Anna Whitehouse writes for Inspiring Interns, which helps career starters find the perfect job, in everything from sales jobs to marketing internships. To browse our graduate jobs London listings, visit our website.