It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the next few weeks will be filled with plenty of office holiday party cheer! That’s right; you’ll finally have the opportunity to let loose, indulge, and truly enjoy yourself around your coworkers after many months of hard work.

Office holiday parties are a great way to get to know the people you spend the majority of your time with on another level. With that said, there are some lines you definitely don’t want to cross at this work event. Lucky for you, we’ll be going over the ins and outs of holiday office party etiquette in today’s blog.

Actually Show Up

Showing up is half the battle if you want to have a successful career and this old adage is especially true when it comes to office holiday parties. As much as you may want to skip out on your work party and avoid potential landmines altogether, making an appearance shows that you’re committed to the company you work for.

Ask Before You Bring Along a Guest

Bringing along your BFF or significant other to your office party without asking is a big no-no. Companies oftentimes have strict budgetary requirements that they have to abide by, and sometimes a plus one isn’t included in that budget. If your company is cool with you bringing a guest to the party, make sure the person you bring actually wants to be there and that your office gathering doesn’t count as one of your first dates!

Know When It’s Time to Leave

When it comes to your end of the year office festivities, timing is everything. You don’t want to be the first to arrive, the first to leave, or, worst of all, the very last straggler. Try to arrive about fifteen minutes after the event begins and make a gracious exit when the party starts to wind down. Also, don’t forget to thank the organizer of the event on your way out – a kind gesture can go a long way!

Dress in Your Best

It’s just as, if not more, important to dress for success at your holiday work party as it is to put effort into your everyday look at the office. You’ll likely be encountering higher-ups and mingling with employees from different departments at this get-together, and making a good first impression is an absolute must.  Steer clear of outfits that could be considered risqué and take into account the location of the party when picking out the perfect fit.

Watch How Much You Drink (and What You Say)

One of the smartest things you can do at your office holiday party is to refrain from overindulging in alcoholic beverages. As tempting as taking advantage of the open bar may be, it’s in your best interest to nurse your drink throughout the night and put a cap on the number of drinks you consume. Alcohol can act as a truth serum, and some work-related truths are better left unsaid!

Armed with this holiday office party etiquette guide, you’ll be able to enjoy your work gathering and rest easy knowing that you’ll still be employed in the New Year!

At Project Spaces, we’ll be bringing business-savvy superstars and badass entrepreneurs together at our Holiday Bash on Thursday, December 12th. We’re mixing up the festive activities this year and making our holiday party part festive social and part family-style potluck dinner. To get free admission to our many memorable events, book a tour of our Toronto coworking spaces and make use of our flexible memberships.