The Dos and Don’ts of Christmas Office Party Etiquette

We show you how to navigate your holiday office party without jeopardizing your job.

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

While most of us love a good celebration, the thought of going to a Christmas office party can make you sick with dread. Or perhaps you’re over the moon because you've been anticipating it all year and can't wait to dress up in your newly purchased holiday outfit. Maybe you're excited and nervous all at the same time.

Whatever you’re feeling, it’s quite normal. Remember, a company Christmas party that’s supposed to celebrate the season and 365 days of hard work can be intimidating, even for the most outgoing employee.

If the idea of an office holiday party conjures up visions of drunk coworkers wearing lampshades on their heads or taking inappropriate photocopies of their body parts, let this inappropriate behavior be a reminder of what not to do. Your actions during your Christmas office party will be under the watchful eye of your peers, managers, and executives, so always be on your best behavior. After all, it is a work event, not an underground dance party.

Knowing how to survive any social work gathering or company-sponsored party is an essential skill to have. A Christmas office party only comes once a year, but there'll be plenty of other work events you'll have to attend as well. It could be a happy hour networking event, an intimate dinner party, a team-building experience, or a full-on company bash to celebrate a huge win. Whatever the occasion, you'll have to show up, network, and play by the rules.

So, how do you steer through the alcohol-infused waters of your work Christmas party? Read on to find out our top dos and don'ts to ensure a successful, festive evening with your colleagues.

Do: Dress Appropriately

If you need help deciding what to wear to your company Christmas party, check in with your colleagues first to find out the dress code. You'll most likely receive an email from the HR department with all the details. Maybe the CEO wants everyone to wear ugly sweaters, so naturally, you would want to wear your ugliest sweater.

Or the theme may be more formal where business attire is expected, in which case you'll follow suit. You can always add a little sparkle to your outfit; just be sure to adhere to whatever dress code is in place. Your colleagues will think you're not a team player if you don't.

Don't: Eat or Drink Excessively

If you're tempted to overindulge in the free open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and buffet at your office holiday party, we strongly advise against it. Knocking back too many free-flowing cocktails or having your cup in the punch bowl all night equals a lot of trouble. This also applies to virtual holiday parties. The last thing people want to see is you slurring your words or falling asleep drunk on Zoom.

Drinking too much can lower your guard and potentially lead to unacceptable behavior like dancing on tables or saying something inappropriate you can never take back. You could even risk losing your job, so keep it to a two-drink maximum and never drink and drive.

Also, eating something light before the party is always a good idea as you don't want to get caught hogging the pigs in a blanket like it's your last supper. Focus on mingling instead of chowing down everything in sight.

Do: Work the Room and Network

Your Christmas office party is an excellent opportunity to mingle with people you may otherwise never see in the office, so use your time wisely. Before you show up to the event, practice your elevator pitch because you never know who you could bump into. There's a good chance you may find yourself standing next to the CEO at the bar, in which case you should know how to introduce yourself without "self-promoting."

Although it may seem intimidating, try to network with people from other departments instead of spending the entire evening with your regular office buddies. It's a great way to build your sphere of influence; after all, a new connection could lead to a future promotion. Remember to keep the conversations light, make meaningful small talk and always show interest in others.

Don't: Talk About Sensitive or Inappropriate Subjects

When networking at your Christmas office party, there are certain subjects you should stay away from at all costs. Firstly, avoid controversial topics such as religion, politics, and off-color jokes. These conversations have a habit of turning out badly. Secondly, don't complain or whine about anything. If you have any grievances about your job or salary or how much you hate your boss, save it for a private discussion with Human Resources. Lastly, don't even think about gossiping or engaging in gossip about others. You'll tarnish your reputation forever.

Do: Time Your Entrance and Exit

Unless you're one of the organizers, we suggest you don't show up to your Christmas office party early or perfectly on time. Even if the event is at the office, take a break after work, freshen up, and come back. Arriving 15 to 30 minutes after it begins is totally acceptable. If you're thinking of making a “fashionably late” entrance half an hour before the party ends, think again. Also, try your best to spend at least one hour at the party for the sake of appearances.

If you're having such a fabulous time schmoozing and networking that you don't even notice how late it is, you've had a successful night! However, don't be the last one to leave, and avoid partying into the wee hours unless you want to make a name for yourself as the company party animal.

Don't: Act Inappropriately

Looking to make a move on a coworker you've had your eye on? Think again. Your work Christmas party is definitely not the place to show public displays of affection. Keep your hands to yourself, avoid flirting, hooking up with a colleague, dancing on the bar, and any other inappropriate behavior that could cost you your job. Remember, there's always someone with a camera glued to their hand, and the last thing you want is your antics to go viral on social media.

Do: Say Your Goodbyes

It may seem suspicious if you sneak out of your Christmas office party without saying goodbye to your colleagues and new connections. While you won't have time to say goodbye to everyone, especially if it's a company-wide event, do your best to weave your way through the crowd and acknowledge the people you feel most comfortable with. You don't have to get caught up in a whole conversation. Just a simple "It was fantastic to meet you (or see you) again. I had a great time. See you soon" will suffice.

Don't: Post Photos or Videos Without Permission

What goes on social media stays on social media. You wouldn't want to wake up the following day to discover you've been tagged in photos and videos in which you're striking strange poses next to the giant gnome ice sculpture. So, respect others' wishes and only post something online after establishing rules with your colleagues. Also, for anything you post, make sure it's always in a positive light because, remember, your boss sees everything.

Do: Thank the Organizers

A heartfelt "thank you" goes a long way, so take some time to show your appreciation to the organizers. A holiday work event takes a lot of planning, whether big or small, so find out who was involved and acknowledge their efforts with a quick thank you before you leave the party. You can even go the extra mile and send a thank-you email the next day to express your gratitude.

Ring in the New Year with a Shiny New Career

While deciding what outfit to wear to your Christmas office party, take a moment to complete your Monster profile. Upload your resume so recruiters and hiring managers in your industry can connect with you. We'll send you expert career advice and new job postings to keep you up-to-date on new opportunities throughout the holidays and into the new year, so you can spend more time enjoying the festivities.