Yes, yes, yes….. we know it’s only the beginning of November so we beg your forgiveness for a festive themed blog post already, but it is totally true that the festive party season is only weeks away, or in some cases, has already started! Yes, that’s right – we are soon to be in the month of the office Christmas party!

And of course, we all love to let our hair down and enjoy one or two/quite a few drinks with work colleagues, while simultaneously avoiding Geoffrey from accounts and praying that your boss doesn’t get so drunk that he insists on a karaoke rendition of “I’m too Sexy” on the pub table, like last year…..

The office Christmas party is a highlight of the festive calendar for some, while for others it’s a night to endure and suffer whilst plotting the whole time of how to make a get-away before 9pm. But, don’t worry, here’s our guide to surviving the festive party season, so that you can enjoy the annual work shin-dig, without having to show up at the office on Monday red faced and embarrassed…. Here’s our Office Christmas Party Tips:

• Show up and mingle…… even if you’d rather be anywhere, anywhere, anywhere else, the office Christmas party is the time to show your colleagues that you’re a team player and willing to let your hair down.
• Talk to people you don’t know…. it might be tempting to stay in the circles of colleagues that you know well, but if you make an effort to get to know some of the others in the office that you don’t know so well you might be pleasantly surprised at how nice and normal other departments are. And this all makes for a harmonious office life when you get back to work!
• Don’t go crazy at the bar…… your boss holding your hair back as you stoop over the toilet bowl is one way to definitely not get a promotion… so while a couple of drinks is great to relax and let your hair down, too many will leave everyone a little red faced the next day. OMG did you really say that to the Director???
• Dress appropriately…… it’s great to be able to show a little more of your party personality but work dress codes can still apply. Nothing to revealing for women and nothing too casual for men. Yes it’s a party, but your colleagues still need to view you in a professional capacity.
• No sickies the next day….. calling in sick the day after an office party certainly won’t go down well with the boss!
• Be social media savvy….be careful what you post on facebook/twitter/instagram. The picture of Bob from IT dribbling into his beer bottle might seem hilarious at the time, but poor old Bob won’t be too chuffed to find it splashed all over his FB feed in the morning…
• Beware of gossip…. gossip + alcohol + colleagues generally don’t mix very well. Be wary of saying something you regret the next day.
• Don’t get yourself an office nickname…..embarrassing or drunken behaviour will earn you a nickname that’ll stay with you for the rest of your career.
• Have fun and stay safe and enjoy lots of happy office Christmas party memories for the next year 🙂

Fancy hosting your Christmas party or meal at the Oakeley Arms? Then drop us a line ([email protected]) or give us a call on 01766 590 277