1. Do ask whether the party is formal or casual. This is still a business function, so conservative clothes are a good choice. Skip anything too revealing or flashy.
2. Do check if you can bring a spouse or significant other beforehand. Do not bring a group of your friends.
3. Do make an effort to attend, and plan on staying at least an hour or two. However, don’t overstay your welcome by partying until dawn.
4. Do treat office parties strictly as business events. Most likely, your behaviour is being observed every minute by watchful supervisors, so behave as you would at work. Make an effort to be professional, but pleasant.
5. Do network with people who could influence your career, or colleagues from different departments. Do strengthen your business relationships, and build new ones.
6. Don't just talk shop. Find common interests with your co-workers, and keep conversations light and chatty. Do avoid controversial subjects (religion, politics, etc.) and potentially offensive jokes.
7. Don’t gossip! No good comes of talking about others behind their back—and you never know who might be listening.
8. Don't assume everyone celebrates Christmas. Wishing people a happy holiday will suffice.
9. Do keep your drink in your left hand so that when you have to shake hands with management types, you won’t be offering them a cold, wet grip!
10. Don’t drink excessively—open bar or not! You wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself, or any of your co-workers with inappropriate remarks or behaviour you’re bound to regret the next morning.
11. Don’t let any harmless flirting turn into something more. The office party is not the time to end your career with the company by going home with that cute intern.
12. Do thank your co-workers for all their help and hard work during the past year—the office party is the ideal time to do so.
13. Do enjoy yourself! Your employers have invested time and money organizing the event, so try to have some fun.
14. Do thank the party organizers. A thank-you note to top management is always a good idea, too.
15. Don’t drink and drive. Appoint a designated driver or call a taxi yourself if necessary.
