Sydney is buzzing with Christmas parties right now. If you feel anxious about screwing up at your Office Christmas Party, you’re not alone. Just remember these five healthy tips when you prepare for the silly season and enjoy all the best bits of yuletide celebrations, but without the crazy.
Office Christmas Parties can be a lot of fun. They’re a great opportunity for bosses to say thank you to staff members who have worked very hard the whole year and contributed to the growth and success of the organisation. Most of the time people remember such parties fondly. However, in some unfortunate cases their event turns into such a disaster that they start the New Year looking for a new job.
Don’t let concerns about potential mishaps overshadow a potentially great night. By staying in control of your behaviour you can enjoy the party. Follow these tips to party like a pro.
- Be Well Rested and Get a Good Nights Sleep.
I know that it might sound boring, but don’t line up several big party nights in a row. You need to ensure that you get enough rest on the day of the party to avoid being agitated beforehand, easily annoyed at the event and stressed out afterwards. So plan some time out, amongst all the Christmas shopping and other preparations, to relax and socialise. It might not be ideal but maybe give some of the less important parties a miss this year, so you can prioritise the best ones. Prioritising will mean more fun in the long run.
- Eat Well and Stay Hydrated.
This tip might sound obvious; however, often when I ask people what went wrong and why there was an unpleasant scene at their Christmas party, frequently the reason is inadequate food and hydration. I hear familiar admissions: “I didn’t eat the whole day, I was running around, and I don’t know why I said that”, or “I didn’t drink enough water, so I got drunk very quickly and now I don’t remember what happened next.” I have seen too many people who lost their positions because they were too embarrassed the day after the Xmas Party to stick around, or they offended someone important and didn’t remember the next day – or there was a permanent reminder on Facebook of their interpretative dancing.
- Open Bar Temptations.
When your boss generously provides an open bar, it is not an opportunity to consume as much free booze as you can because you think he or she has underpaid you in bonuses. Drink water, decide upfront how many alcoholic drinks you can handle, decide how long you want to stay, pre-order your taxi, or arrange to leave with a reliable friend then make a dignified exit. That way you will not find any surprising photos on Facebook or Instagram: #lookingforanewjob, #hadonetoomany, #anyonehiring?, #christamasofficepartyfail. If you really do have problems managing your drinking, and can’t control yourself at all around alcohol, consider giving the Christmas party a miss – it’s much better to still have a job in the New Year.
- It’s Christmas – the Office Party is Not the Time to Address Unresolved Issues.
If you had a beef with one of your colleagues or your boss, the Christmas Party is not the time or place to tell them what you think of them. The same applies if you are at your client’s Christmas Party. Whatever unresolved issues you have – don’t bring them up at all. They could be pressing issues that you believe should be raised before the end of the year, but don’t mix it with a festive occasion. Aim to resolve issues beforehand, in a rational, normal, workplace environment.
- Be Flexible. So You Can Leave Early.
If you notice that, despite your best attempts to manage your drinking, you had thoughts of being risky and doing something fun and impulsive (e.g. dancing on a table, competing with your boss as to who can swim faster across Darling Harbour, removing your clothes because it is getting hot and they are restricting some of your special dance moves), be prepared to leave early. Remember, the dignified exit strategy is more likely to pay off.
As much as you might look forward to Christmas fun and games, do your best to be in control of your behaviour and remember that they have to be “fun” for everyone. If you want your boss to keep on paying your salary and your clients to keep asking to deal with you, and your colleagues to respect you in the future, follow these tips so you can still have a great party.
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