How to Survive the Office Christmas Party
Uncomfortable evening wear, pigs in a roll, and the same music set as last year (thanks to Tom from Accounting for vetoing a real DJ). The festive season can be a long haul for the introvert and the office Christmas party represents a particular challenge to many.
But fear not, noble noël survivor. We’ve got some great trips on surviving your office Christmas party in style:
Stay ahead of your alcohol consumption
Nothing will bring the good times to a screeching halt quite like drinking too much at your office Christmas party. While it’s perfectly fine to imbibe a few drinks and enjoy yourself with your fellow celebrants, you’ll want to pick your limit before the festivities get into full swing.
If you have coworkers that insist on company on their way to alcoholic oblivion, pace yourself by alternating one vodka soda followed by a club soda and lime. If you’re more of a rye and coke drinker, alternate it with a Roy Rogers and your coworkers will never know the difference.
Make sure you have a back up plan for getting home. Drunk driving could cost your more than your license.
Keep your appetite in check
I love me some cheese platters. If I could pull it off, I would spend my entire night parked by the appetizer table. But eating your party hosts out of house and home isn’t popular so we are left to find other solutions.
Unless your work party is serving dinner as part of the evening, eating beforehand might be the way to go. Have a good dinner and plenty of water to drink before you head out. You’ll want to be at your best for all the festivities so plan ahead. Your stomach (and liver!) will thank you for it.
Pick some conversation starters
One of the hardest things to do while at an office Christmas party is to not talk about work. Having a couple of back up conversation starters is a great way to go if you’re an introvert. I’m not very good with crowds of people so I usually like to have some general ideas percolating before I leave the house.
If you’re at a loss, read a newspaper or two before you head to your event. Most people will have come across current events somewhere in their travels so it’s an easy way to get a conversation rolling. The only caveat to going this route is to remember that it’s a party. Keep it light and easy so it suits the mood.
Find true love another time
When I mentioned that things might go south if you go much beyond teetotaler status, getting tipsy and finding true love with Tom from Accounting is upping the awkward factor by a thousand. Your Monday morning is going to be Un.Pleas.Ant.
It’s best if you stay cool and collected, enjoy a drink or two, and engage in sparkling conversation with your coworkers. If you and Bob happen to make eye contact over a platter of sausage rolls, make plans for a coffee date later in the week. The office Christmas party is not the time to try to fan a spark.
Find a safe way home and get to know your coworker later. You, Tom, and your coworkers will thank you for it Monday.
Image Courtesy of Adobe Stock