Surviving the office Christmas party

Decorations, bright lights and shopping sprees are all well and good, but the most memorable Christmas pastime is arguably the office Christmas party. The event of the company calendar that puts some merry back into your Christmas, providing memories that will last for the rest of 2020! Read our top ten tips on how to survive your office festive shindig.

1. Turn up fashionably late

Christmas Drinks

First things first, show up to your Christmas party. Your employer has spent time and money to throw you a top notch Christmas party, and the least you can do is show your festive appreciation by turning up. You’ll enjoy it once you get there! When you do turn up though, try not to be the first or last one there. Aim for 10-15 minutes after the announced start time so you’re not just hanging around by yourself, nursing your eggnog and pretending to look busy on your phone.


2. Don’t get too merry

Santa on sofa

Whilst it’s practically a requirement to be merry at Christmas, too many mugfuls of mulled wine can lead you down a dangerous path. In this age of smartphone photographers, one present you won’t want on Christmas morning is a picture of yourself in the most uncompromising of positions from the office party Whatsapp group. Know your limits, or you could be the butt of office jokes until the next party comes around.


3. Dress to Impress

What to wear to the office party can be quite a difficult decision. Will it be full blown fancy dress, an air of professionalism, or something a bit more sultry? Just remember, at the end of the day, this is a work do. Gauge the outfit outlook by speaking to your colleagues in advance to see what they are wearing. If everyone else is donning tinsel and fake beards, you’ll look a bit of a grinch if you turn up smart casual.


4. No shop talk

Christmas work talk

This is a party! And don’t forget it. Whilst last quarter’s profit and loss statement is a riveting topic of conversation at the big team meeting, work talk should be banned from all office parties- especially one so festive. This is a time to switch off from the daily grind, and just have fun with your workmates.


5. Turn up the festive fun

When the complimentary drinks are flowing and games are being played, it’s important to remember to not take it all too seriously. Keep the games and activities fun and easy for everyone to get involved in to avoid people wandering off to talk about their latest office drama. Chair racing is a classic office favourite, or how about some Christmas carol pictionary? Rope the boss in for some santa style limbo for guaranteed laughs.


6. Fill up beforehand

Christmas Dinner

If you are planning to make the most of the complimentary drink offerings, remember to eat something substantial beforehand unless you want to be unceremoniously escorted out of the office early.


7. Mingle bells

This is a great time to meet new people and make new friends. Chances are there are people you work with who you almost never speak to and know almost nothing about. Try and speak to a few people for the first time, not only could you make a friend for life, but you might open some doors for your career as well.


8. Steer clear of the mistletoe

You’re a couple of Christmas cocktails in, and your workplace crush is looking at their festive finest under the mistletoe. Don’t do it! The Christmas party is not the place to profess your love to a colleague. It’s far too public, and could be excruciatingly embarrassing for the both of you if your love goes unrequited. It’s definitely best to avoid any drunken smooching or dirty dancing at your work do unless you want to be the topic of work conversation way into 2020!


9. Show up to work the next day

Christmas at work

There’s no way you can pull a convincing sicky the day after the office party. Especially if you’ve gotten yourself a bit squiffy. Whilst you’re nursing your hangover at home, everybody in the office will be talking about how much you embarrassed yourself last night. You need to show up to work no matter how bad you feel. Chances are you and your colleagues will be in the same boat so suck it up and soldier through to 5pm.


10. Plan ahead and book your accommodation.

Why spend all evening watching the clock to make sure you don’t miss the last train home? Find a nearby Travelodge and book your room early to make sure you’ve got the peace of mind to party the night away. For some added comforts book yourself into one of our SuperRooms, designed with you in mind to enhance your stay.

Book a great value SuperRoom

Book your Travelodge room


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