Ah, the holidays. The time of family togetherness, presents, snow, warmth, sentimentality…and tons of opportunities to make things really awkward for all of next year at work. Holiday office parties are seemingly-innocent traditions that are just teeming with chances to make a fool out of yourself.
Fortunately for you, I’ve already made tons of these mistakes and in the spirit of keeping everything happy and even in your place of employment, I now pass along this information to you. Follow these tips and you should get through your office parties this season with grace and maybe even a professional leg-up:
1. Steer clear of the mistletoe
…unless it’s the very end of the night and you’ve had a crush on that guy from accounting for, like, ever and you’re sure wants to kiss you too. Then, it’s worth the risk. Just as long as you don’t get stuck under it when you’ve had too much egg nog and your married boss is nearby.
2. Speaking of egg nog…
Don’t get drunk! There’s a big difference between a happily festive work-buzz and getting stupid plastered. You never want to do that at any work function, even one with twinkly lights involved.
3. Mind your attire
There should be (and probably are) whole books dedicated to dressing appropriately for a business holiday event. Keep in mind these things and you’ll look great: nothing too short, nothing too tight, but still look cuter than your normal work self. Details around the neckline and dark tights keep you looking super festive without drawing too much attention to your sexy bits.
4. Bring a date
I’m not saying it’s fair but for some reason, women look less trampy and more tame when their attention is primarily focused on one dude. Even if it’s just a good guy friend, bringing someone along (who is, of course, work-friendly and presentable) will complete your self-put-together look.
5. Tone down the flirting
Even if you and your boss have a really great, platonic, but still funny and borderline flirty relationship (lucky you), you always want to be slightly more professional when his/her wife/husband is around. I know it seems like when the holiday party is on, the tie gets to be loosened up a little but not in this case.
If the significant other of your work superior sees him getting all chummy with a hot thing like yourself, she ain’t gonna like it. Even if things are just platonic (they are, right?) between the two of you, if you make the missus uncomfortable…well, I don’t care if the two of you are friends, he’ll sure as hell pick his marriage over his work relationship with you.
