Is your office having a holiday party this year?
Do you wonder how you'll ever survive the dreaded office holiday party?
December and January are very hectic times of year for everybody with all the stress of the holidays. (It's supposed to be a time of joy right?)
In addition to the household celebrations and generous cups of eggnog offered to you, you might likewise find yourself on the guest list of a company holiday party or two.
Depending on the potentially hazardous combination of alcohol, music and some dissatisfied staff members all set to "let loose" in their unsightly sweatshirts, the holiday celebrations you pick to attend could make or break your year.
With these celebrations coming in full throttle, fear not, as there are numerous ideas on the best ways to get through these events with your job and your dignity undamaged.
The Informal 2014 Holiday Celebration Survival Guide
Part I: The "Not So Good Concepts"
You know when you are preparing for a big evening ahead? An event that involves drinking with your good friends and everybody is delighted and the night is your oyster? Well, everything you're thinking about doing might not be an excellent concept.
You may want to reassess your tactical plan, or simply refrain any of the following:.
1. Do not dress like Lindsay Lohan did for the "Jingle Bell Rock" lip sync in "Mean Girls."
When preparing for a company event, dress-wise, the finest recommendations is to, well, outfit yourself sensibly.
The concept to follow is "when in Rome." If in Rome, they put on company causal, you ought to likewise appear in company casual. It is all right to be joyful at a holiday party, but there are times for you to leave your green and red sparkly fishnets in the house. (This is among those times.).
2. Don't start your party too early.
The point of the holiday celebration is to get drunk(ish), not be drunk before you show up. If you appear drunk, you will probably be passed out in the poinsettia plan before 9 pm.
3. Do not be the guy who brings a flask of scotch.
A holiday celebration ought to not be compared with a dry wedding event. You shouldn't need to sneak in alcohol.
If the company has an open bar (generally, they do, and even if they don't), don't bring your own flask. UNLESS naturally, your company produces flasks and/or whiskey and you are required to bring your very own.
4. Do not bring your Tinder date.
Do make certain your date is great and all, however a company occasion is no time at all to bring someone you hardly know. Bringing your Tinder date is like auto-drafting your fantasy football group. (You simply don't do it.).
5. Do not participate in a dance-off.
Unless you are one of the Jabbawockeez or have actually auditioned for "So You Believe You Can Dance," a dance-off is NOT for you. I repeat: IT IS NOT FOR YOU. Don't do it.
Do not do the NaeNae. Don't do the Dougie. Do not do the Hokey Pokey. Conserve your dance moves for the club or after celebration. (Also, this is not the time to remind your coworkers that you won a pole dancing contest in college.).
6. Do not state anything you may be sorry for.
There is an old expression: If you do not have anything nice to say, do not say it drunk at a holiday party in front of your colleagues (or something like that). Opportunities are, this is because you have had several sips of the "can do" punch, and everyone knows how you get after one beer.
Now is not the time to let Megan understand what you TRULY consider of her brand-new promotion. It's never ever a great idea to discuss your colleagues, however specifically when stated colleagues are within an earshot.
Mentioning shots ...
7. Do not rip shots.
The shot policy goes together with the dress policy. If the CEO of your business reveals that everyone will have a "Christmas shot," then you better take that shot. However, if you would be the only one at the bar purchasing all of the shots under the sun, then no shots for you.
8. Do not rest on the company Santa's lap.
Do I need to discuss this? Actually, just avoid all laps-- at all costs.
9. Do not avoid work the following day.
If you believe your employer is going to buy your "24-hour flu" after he experienced your ability to shotgun 3 beers in a minute flat, you have another thing coming.
Part II: The Few, The Proud, The Great Ideas
I know exactly what you're thinking: "Okay, how exactly am I supposed to have an enjoyable time at this stuffy event surrounded by colleagues I do not know, and not be wasted out of my mind at the very same time?"
You ought to absolutely have a good time at your business holiday party. If you do not have an enjoyable time, then what is the point? The secret is to have a good time while NOT ridiculing yourself, or making a GIGANTIC scene that might jeopardize your profession.
This is all possible by doing the following:.
1. Drink ... in moderation (with plenty of water).
As mentioned above, showing up drunk and being the drunkest are bad concepts. However, it is all right to drink alcohol at your holiday party-- just see to it those drinks aren't straight vodka and you aren't downing them with tequila shooters, and everything should be hunky dory.
Also, if you remain hydrated, you won't ridicule yourself and won't get up with as bad of a hangover. You're welcome.
2. Consume food.
Social occasions are actually the worst when it concerns food due to the fact that they generally have THE BEST food, and you NEVER have time to enjoy it, unless you're like me and make time for food.
If you don't follow my shot guideline, and you're surging on an empty belly, there is hope for you still.
In order to save yourself from becoming the greatest phenomenon, it is a great idea to either consume a dish prior to the holiday celebration OR take time out of joining your colleagues to consume the food provided at the party. Please, just eat.
3. Go solo.
You do not have to have a date, and if you bring one, he or she will most likely feel unpleasant because of not knowing anybody and stand idly while you socialize with your entire company.
If you decide to bring a date, make sure you know who you bring. Occasionally, it's much better and less unpleasant for everybody to simply go solo. If you are the date, you ought to be similarly responsible as the person who is bringing you.
4. Socialize.
One of the most significant reasons companies have holiday celebrations is for networking. It is always a good idea to speak to your boss before you begin consuming.
5. Dance in a group.
Dancing in a group of individuals is the safest method to easily dance at a celebration. Dancing in a group resembles putting on camouflage in the woods. No one can single out your horrible dance steps if individuals around you are similarly distracting.
All in all, there is a great line in between the good, the bad and the ugly at any holiday celebration. The hardest part about going to holiday parties is finding that line in between keeping composure and having an enjoyable time.
If you do it right, you can profit from both. If you do it incorrectly, well, you will constantly be referred to as the person who tried to swing from a chandelier with a tie covered around your head.
Hope we don't read about you in the company newsletter.
