I’ve spent the last six years of my life in digital marketing, which has landed me the opportunity to experience a variety of work environments from small business, to a hip national ad agency, and to my current role at a Fortune 500 company.  The only commonality that these vastly different workplaces have in common besides their dependance on strong coffee is that is the energy that sparks around the holiday season.  I’ve gotten to see Christmas from a number of angles, from the all-night rager complete with an enormous shot luge made out of ice and Chipotle catering to a laid back potluck with some drinks after.  As a member of Fun DMC, we’ve gotten to experience some fantastic holiday parties as well – each with their own unique theme or flavor, and inevitably getting a little wild once the drinks and music get turned up to 11 (ask Robert about a banking gig sometime).

However it plays out, there’s no wrong way to celebrate the season.  For the most part, a corporate holiday party is a fun opportunity to socialize with colleagues and cut a little loose from the day-to-day grind.  For others who are a little less social, however, it’s a painful experience that they would give anything to avoid.  Whichever column you fall into, be it party-starter or party-avoider, an appearance at the company party is likely expected, so we’ve

We’ve complied a survival guide to get you through the fears, follies and festivities of the corporate holiday celebration.

It’s All About The Pregame

As social sensei Dale Carnegie once wrote: “Talk to someone about themselves and they’ll listen for hours,” so a quick brush up on important names, current affairs and likely topics will help you sail through the small talk. You could also have a quick scan on social networking sites/recent tweets to seek out your colleagues’ interests in advance.

Having a mental list of good opening conversation pieces is a great way to prepare.  Think about what is appropriate for colleagues you are friends with, colleagues you haven’t had much to do with, and your superiors.”

Don’t Play It Too Cool

There’s nothing to gain from being self-conscious or aloof, so demonstrate you’re a fun team-player and embrace the party spirit. If it’s an ugly sweater party, make sure you show some effort. Dancing, pull off a few moves. Karaoke, get up and rock some Journey. Showing a secure sense of humor certainly won’t do your stock any harm and it’s a great way to break the ice.

If you’re more of a conversationalist than a performer there are still steps you can take to widen your circle. Don’t get stuck only talking to the people you know.  You already work with them daily, so get out and make new connections you can later follow up on.

Fly Solo

Do your spouse and yourself a favor by giving them the night off. They don’t want to be dragged along for inspection by a room full of strangers spouting cheesy inside jokes, so make your excuses (“Oh, it’s their office party tonight as well” usually does the trick) and be done with it. There are also professional benefits to going stag – it can be hard enough to break the ice with someone new, without the added pressure of feeling responsible for another person.

Taking this hurdle off the track absolves you from an evening of awkward introductions and leaves you with a better chance to network. It also enables you to maintain a helpful layer of mystique and ensures the pair of you won’t be cowed into a painful dinner with Al and June from accounting.

Not Everything Is Photo-Friendly

Much like a dog, a photo is not just for Christmas so think twice before going for that “Gangnam Style” pose which will inevitably spend the best part of 2017 displayed proudly above the office copier by merciless colleagues. And just in case they’re the jealous, firing type, it’s probably best to apply a 5-ft buffer for any shots featuring you and your boss’s spouse.

Your actions will have consequences. And while it may be a social environment, it is still work and your boss is still your boss.”

No Work Talk

Show you have a life outside the office (and an alternative sentence starter to “About last month’s figures…”) by filling the evening with more convivial topics. This is a great chance to capitalize on your pre-game efforts and forge some valuable allegiances.  People are more likely to help people they like or know, so figure out who you might need in the future and just spend a few relaxing moments with them.  And it sounds obvious, but don’t be boring.

If this last point does apply to you, there’s no shame in greasing the wheels of conversation with a little creative storytelling, so long as you keep it credible.

Dress For Success

You want to show you’re a well-dressed stylish individual, so it’s important to make an effort, but always keep it classic and understated. Bearing in mind the camera factor and the propensity of holiday party mishaps to remain hot topics well into June, it’s probably best to save the Saturday Night Fever outfit for the next convention, even if you are shooting for the much-fabled ‘ironic’ look.

No One Likes A Scrooge

As we’ve established, this one night could be discussed for many more to come so it’s worth injecting some festive cheer into your wallet. If there’s a secret santa arrangement then straddle that balance between the price limit and an unacceptable overspend — nothing outrageous, but just enough to ensure yours is at the classier end of the gift spectrum. Meanwhile, get acquainted with the bar staff and treat your favored colleagues/those with a say in your future to a couple of drinks. Not only will you find yourself hailed as a generous soul, but you’ll probably be known as the party starter and all manner of irrational compliments which accompany the offer of free alcohol. Just be careful it doesn’t look like you’re trying too hard, as that can be equally as bad.

Don’t Forget Post-Game

Many workers forget that the office party is intended to be a treat and not a form of torture. Show your consideration by thanking the organizers for their efforts.  Be sure to follow up after parties, especially if a decision maker has shown they’re interested in taking the conversation further.  Making the right impression on the higher ups can open a number of doors.