Do’s & Don’ts At Christmas Work Party

The holiday season is here and this means many fun things but the two that comes to mind as I write are food and parties. So, today, let’s focus on work Christmas parties. For many organisations, the invites are now out for their Christmas parties. To help you be your best you in style and conduct, here is a post that would help…

Do’s & Don’t of Work Christmas Parties

Dress the Way You Want to be Addressed

In many workplaces, many people dress very conservatively and professional. If your workplace is formal you probably show up daily wearing your 3 piece suit or your fitted skirt and shirt and if your workplace is a kind of uniform workplace,  you probably show up in uniform daily. Your work Christmas party is a good place to show off your style following the theme you were given for the party. For example, my own work Christmas party dress code states “party wear”, so I sure will wear something to party in – if I choose to go the party. Although it is important to show off your style to your work Christmas party, here are a few do’s and don’ts of the workplace Christmas party:

•  Have fun with your look but don’t look slutty, tacky or drab. Be as expressive as you want but your work Christmas party is not the place to flaunt the boobs or show off the thighs – leave that for your own private parties or the club.
• Wear make up if you are a make up wearer but don’t go over the top. In this case, let less be more because less is truly more.

Check HERE for Makeup Trends to Try Now

A Time to Loosen Up

One thing I know about many work Christmas parties is that many people in management come out to mingle with “Junior Staffers”. They want to know more about you beyond the four corners of the workplace. They want to know more about your career journey, your personal life – travel, interests outside of the workplace etc.

• Speak but don’t speak too much. Remember, too much is always too much.
• Smile loads. Laugh if you have to but never “like a drunk”. You can be the life of the party while still been professional.
• Don’t speak bad about anyone.
• Talk about yourself positively, your career goal or ambition and reinforce that you love working in your company and hopeful that you can be (insert what you want to be here) in the company someday.

All the above may seem ordinary but truly, it will register in the memory of the people you were speaking with and some day, it MAY become really handy for your career move to the next level.

General Chat

There will sure be a lot of conversations going on at your work Christmas parties. Definitely, you want to be noticed but be sure it is for the right reasons. Here are a few do’s and don’ts:

• Speak, contribute as much but don’t let your voice be the loudest in the gathering. This can mean you can’t caution yourself when you speak or you talk too much.
• Don’t interrupt anyone – this is a sign of respect for other people’s opinions.
• Listen to other people, nod as they speak and then contribute as need be.
• Never keep quiet. Keeping quiet may mean you are not confident to connect with new people outside of your own circle.

Food & Drinks 

One of the core reasons why organisations organise work parties is for staffers to loosen up, relax and “break bread” together. While this is fun and enjoyable, here are few do’s and don’ts:

• Don’t speak with your mouth full.
• If you don’t know how to use the cutleries, practise before the day. Search on YouTube, you would find videos to help you.
• Don’t be too focused on the food. Contribute when people are speaking or start a good conversation, for example, the Turkey is great, do you all like it and smile. People will join in and they will share their opinions. Their opinions may differ from yours, respect it.
• Drink, if you do BUT NEVER-EVER get drunk. Getting drunk will lead to misbehaviour, this is not the place and time. So, be careful with the buzz and if you don’t drink, drink water or juice when the drinks are been served.

Dance

Dancing time is another way to loosen up at the work Christmas party. While it is okay to dance and have fun, here are a few do’s and don’ts.

• Dance gracefully. Move your body but don’t be loud or over the top about it. The ideal is to have fun
• Dance with others respectfully. Don’t touch people disrespectfully. Keep a good distance.
• If you get tired while dancing, step out for some fresh air, have a glass of water to rehydrate so you don’t end up fainting.

Other TIPS – “Using the Work Party to Your Advantage

Although the work Christmas party is a time to loosen up and unwind, use the time to connect with very important people in the workplace (Managers, Directors, Team Leaders etc), especially if you are still a Junior staffer. Make yourselves known to them by introducing yourself to them and what you do for the company. Keep conversations neutral – speak about why you like the company, why you came to live in the country if you are a foreigner and other general neutral subjects like weather, food, travel etc. Never speak about your personal life or journey in a bad way. Also, if you can, ask questions on how they became successful in their career and finish with your own career ambition and plan. Like I said before, your conversation may make a good impression on the person you were speaking with and it may come in handy some day for your “career needs” /  career progression…..

I was wearing Zara Booties | H&M Trend Blouse | Topshop Necklace | Skirt is part of a set of Full Circle by BRown Thomas

Most importantly, be sure to get home safe – walk in groups, share cabs or drive together. Don’t walk on lonely roads or quiet alleys alone. If getting a taxi, get one from a designated taxi ranks. Never ever drink and drive – this is a NO NO. 

Finally, have fun at your work Christmas party. Remember, whatever you do at your work Christmas party, be sure to be remembered for being gracious, cautious and well mannered and not as the one who got drunk, dressed ‘slutty” or the one who spoke the loudest.

I want to thank you so very much for reading and I hope you found the TIPS helpful. If you did, do share with your friends and family and on your social media channels. So, tell me, what work Christmas party advise do have have? Do share with us in the comments below.

Much Love, Mojisola.