StormStaff

Holiday festivities are around the corner and it’s extremely important to make the right impression on your professional peers when celebrating the season at your professional holiday function.  How can you do it? Here are some tips to help you this holiday season:

Attendance

Do not pass up the holiday party invitation! The office party is a business function and you are expected to attend.  Stay for 30 minutes at the very least but also avoid staying too long. Enjoy the atmosphere and conversation with other attendees and when you have spoken to all or most of the bosses, coworkers and new people you planned to, graciously give your goodbyes and leave.

Conversation

The holidays are a great time to brush up on your networking skills! The first step: allow other people to talk. Avoid awkward silence with good open-ended questions and you won’t have any trouble with conversations. Limit your conversations to a few minutes to make sure you get a chance to speak to everyone. Also, avoid talking too much about work. Seize every opportunity to initiate and build relationships over the course of the festivities and take the opportunity to learn a little about your coworkers.

Dress Code

If the event is immediately after work, business attire is appropriate. If it is later in the evening, your choices will vary. If you aren’t certain what to wear, check directly with your host or with coworkers whose taste and judgment you trust. Women should avoid revealing too much in their choices and men should consider wearing a button-down shirt and tie. Make sure that what you wear reflects well on you professionally.

Drinking

It is always advisable to avoid heavily drinking at office events! A good way to do this is limiting drinks with alcohol to a maximum of two. Instead of consuming these beverages all night, try drinking coffee, tea, soft drinks and water. Being smart about your drinking habits during the holiday party will pay off the next time you step into the office.

Gifts

Gift giving in the office can be a challenge. How big should a present be? What if you are on a budget? Gifts are up to your discretion, but gift cards and certificates are a safe option if you are having any concerns. Not sure what to get your boss? You may want to consider asking co-workers to contribute towards a gift as a department. By suggesting an amount that is affordable to everyone, you will split the cost significantly and fulfill your role as a team player.

If you are considering giving gifts to clients or customers, ask your manager or someone in HR what the guideline are for giving and receiving these gifts.

Guests

Check out the invitation before you consider bringing a date, your spouse or other guests. Take your children only if the invitation reads “and family”. Otherwise leave them at home for the event. Want to bring your spouse? Check the envelope for the invitation. If it is addressed to you “and guest,” bring them along. If not, plan on attending the event solo.

Saying “thank you”

Be sure to thank the hosts for a wonderful event before you leave! Remember to say thank you for any gifts you receive as well! This small gesture will make you stand out among other event attendees and will say a lot about the type of person you are.

Do you have any questions or concerns for celebrating the holiday season at your next professional event? Post your questions under our “comments” section and we will respond with answers in an upcoming blog post!