Everyone loves Christmas, right? As soon as December 1st comes around, everyone seems to take a slightly more relaxed approach to work, singing festive tunes round the office and getting into the festive spirit – we are, anyway!

With the office Christmas parties coming up, everyone is looking forwards to celebrating the end of 2018 on a high. Celebrating the highs of the year and what’s to come in 2019.

Although Christmas parties are fun, bubbly and always a laugh, there are definitely some things to avoid at your office shindig.

Make sure to have fun

Just because you’re going to a work event, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be boring. Outside events like the office party can bring you closer to your colleagues, and as we know a strong working relationship is a healthy one.

Get to know colleagues you wouldn’t usually speak to and try to make an effort with those colleagues who are not necessarily on your team. Remember to let your hair down but…

Don’t go too wild

Of course, we all like to have a good time, but there always someone who takes ‘fun’ too far. Don’t ruin it for yourself or everyone else by drinking too much alcohol. You don’t want colleagues you may not know as well to get the wrong impression of you and see you as unprofessional in any way.

Stay within your limits, and anyway, who wants to wake up with a banging hangover and apologising to anyone they might have offended… not us!

Be yourself, but don’t over-do it

It’s good to be comfortable around your work colleagues – you do spend more time with them than anyone else after all. But the last thing you want to do is to get too comfortable and make yourself seem too cocky. Meaning don’t be chatting up your work crush and telling people exactly what you think of them…

Be able to say ‘see you after Christmas’ to your work colleagues

Whatever you do, don’t act so irresponsible that your job is put on the line. You want to finish the evening knowing you have had a really nice time and you can enjoy the holiday break before returning to work.

Be pleasant with everyone, make sure you’re at the event early and act well mannered. Also, I know it’s classed as a ‘party’ but that doesn’t mean you go dressed like you’re hitting the town.

Have fun, make friends and keep the event itself the talk of the office – not you!