DO read this article very carefully before you show up at the office holiday party.

DON'T blame us if you don't read the article and end up the butt of office jokes for all of 2007.

There's always one, that employee who stands out from the crowd. And normally any employee would want to stand-out, except at the office holiday party. Typically someone stands out for all the wrong reasons. Just employees and employers alike, here are a few tips to keep you out of hot water.


DO go to the party, you are never too old, too young, or too cool to enjoy the holiday season. Unless you are an absolute scrooge, then stay away all together.   DO rsvp in time – no one likes last  minute add ons. Office parties are usually quite budget conscious, the chosen office planners need to know what number they are working with. 

On that note…DON’T bring uninvited guests. Again budget is always an issue. Events are usually planned based on a per person amount, the uninvited tag along may get some dirty looks when food runs out for the employees.

DO join in on the fun. If the event is themed go with it, everyone will enjoy the event that much more if everyone is involved.

DO thank your employer and the colleagues who were part of the planning. Large events cost more and take longer to plan than many think. Holiday parties are not owed to you but when done they are meant to show that the employees are appreciated and a thank you is always nice to hear.

DON’T drink too much, unless your bosses are…seriously though, be careful how much you drink and how much you start talking. Water cooler gossip only intensifies when alcohol is part of the mix.

DO bring a camera along, but DON’t forget there likely will be other cameras there too. Behave appropriately.


DO choose a menu that can be enjoyed by everyone – from the meat lovers to the vegetarians. Caterers are inventive, options are endless.

DO decide in advance how much the company would like to spend on the bar. If  there is a cap on the host bar, give all your employees a chosen number of drink tickets per person. This keeps it fair and avoids the potential issue of some employees hanging by the bar while others only make it to the bar after the switch to cash.

DO think of safety first. To the party planner: make sure your guests have a way home. Supply taxi chits to everyone whether they are drinking or not. Your guests will appreciate the free ride home and it won’t put any unnecessary attention on the colleague who may have had too much to drink. This is your responsibility as the employer.

DON’T go overboard and take on too much responsibility. There are event planners and caterers for a reason. Holiday office parties are supposed to be a time for everyone to relax and forget about work for the evening.