With December right around the corner, the festive season is officially upon us. It’s a time for most of us to kick back and relax, let the hair down, spend some time with the family, or take off to a far away island where the drinks come in coconut shells and the only connection to the outside world is through the free Wi-Fi. It’s also Christmas party season, which is always fun, but can also be a little hazardous, particularly here in the land of public servants. Here at OutInCanberra, we’ve had a quick brain storming session, and have thrown together a few quick points that might help smooth the waters and get you through the silly season unscathed.
Do; Buy the first round.
If you’re lucky, you might work for a company or department where they splash out on a Christmas bar tab. Chances are it’ll be gone in the first half-hour, but at least they tried. If not, step up and offer to buy the first round. It sets the tone for the evening, gets everyone’s spirits up, and acts as an insurance policy for if you get a little too festive as the night goes on.
Don’t; Go crazy on the finger food.
We all love mini-quiches and crab-cakes. No doubt about it. Unfortunately, these events are often under catered, so grab a slice of pizza beforehand, and don’t plan on making the hors d’oeuvres a substitute for dinner. If the waiters start avoiding your section of the room, take it as a cue to dial back. Remember, sharing is caring!
Do; Talk to the boss.
Make an effort to chat with the boss, they’ve been working just as hard as you have all year, and while you might have a tight-knit group of colleagues/friends who catch up by the water cooler and go out for drinks every other Friday, sometimes the upper management guys can end up a little isolated. It’s nice to be included, and you might even score some brownie points. That said, there’s nothing wrong with doing it early in the evening when you can play it safe. Perhaps include them in that first round you’re shouting.
Don’t; Be creepy.
There’s always one; the guy (or girl) who knocks back a few too many scotch and cokes a little too early, then spends the rest of the night invading personal space and making passes at their work mates. It’s not cool, and unless you want your new year to be rife with sexual harassment complaints, it’s best avoided.
Do; Make a graceful exit.
This is a do and a don’t all rolled into one. Keep your head held high and stay poised, at least until you make it into a cab. Don’t hang your head out the window and screech your goodbyes. If you can manage that it’s a victory in itself. Don’t be the reason they have all future Christmas parties on a Thursday night instead of a Friday.
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On that note, have you booked your end of year function yet? If not, check out our functions planner and guide:
Oh S#!% It’s Christmas
We also put together a list of handy Hangover Hacks to keep in your back pocket for…
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