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Chances are you have already heard advice to avoid drinking too much alcohol at the company Christmas party. You have maybe even observed the results of co-workers that did imbibe too much. Hopefully you haven’t personally experienced this career stopper. Advice is cheap and easy, but the trick is to follow that advice!

So, maybe you are a real “party animal” and rather than risk drinking too much you think that perhaps you should just not go to this party? Think again. For the most part, this is an obligation. There are very few reasons that warrant skipping out on this party.

One of the most important tips to remember: this is a business event. You are being observed by not only your boss, but your boss’s boss! Do your goals include “moving up” at your company? This is your chance to demonstrate that you can handle the social aspects of a business function, a requirement of anyone at a senior level. Following are some tips to make the best of this event.

Be prepared with some interesting conversation topics before you arrive and don’t encourage in-depth business discussions. This is an opportunity to get to know others, so don’t just hang out with your co-workers. Although it may be tempting to spend a good amount of time with the boss, don’t dominate the time of any one person. Mingle!

Along with the advice of don’t drink much, don’t eat too much. Avoid the messy foods and don’t ever make negative comments about the food or the drink. The CEO probably didn’t prepare the food, but criticism of the refreshments will be taken personally.

You should understand that the catchy phrase about Las Vegas doesn’t apply in this case; things that happen at the office Christmas party don’t stay at the office Christmas party! If you care anything about your career, remember that the same rules (written and unwritten) that apply during business hours apply at this social function.

Dress appropriately. Those tight pants, the low cut sweater, or the sparkly clingy dress may entertain others for the evening, but that is what everyone will remember. The fact that you are intelligent, a hard worker, a loyal employee, and an individual with “upward potential” will be lost. Your sexual allure is not a required job skill unless you work at Hooters or the local strip joint. This is not the time to flirt with anyone. You may think that you are being “fun,” but there is a good chance that you are making someone uncomfortable and that you are looking like a fool to others.

When the party is over, it’s time to leave. There may be wine left in the bottle and food still out on the buffet, but don’t stay too late unless you are helping to clean up!