Office Christmas Parties: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

We've all been there - the office Christmas party. Some offices have a lunch, some have blowout bashes for employees and spouses, and some have midweek parties for just the employees.

We've seen it all from quiet affairs, to live entertainment, to mimicking Dancing With the Stars competitions but, if you're still looking for ideas you've come to the right place - we have some some party ideas for all you social committee members out there!

Not planning a party but want a little Office Party Etiquette refresher? Scroll down for our tips on how to have fun but still be professional. It's hard to believe we know, but you can still have fun and still remember what happened the day after!

Office Party Ideas

• Host an in-office pot luck lunch and let the staff go home early that day.
• Whether your party is in a restaurant, a hall or in the office, plan some cool door prizes to giveaway to your staff, they'll really appreciate a neat freebie.
• Have a party theme and change it up each year. Our favourites are: winter galas, winter wonderland, white Christmas, Christmas carnival, Chevy Chase's Christmas theme, movie themed....the options are endless!
• Use a free service such as Evite.com to send your invitations - it makes tracking RSVP's a cinch.
  
• No party is complete without music. Whether you hire a DJ or create you own play list, it would be a fun way to get the staff involved in music selections. Ask employees to e-mail their favourite songs and create your own play list that everyone will enjoy!
• Last but not the least; have a small gift or party favor for every invited person, as a memento of the night.

Office Party Etiquette: We're all for getting jiggy with it at the office Christmas party but just to stay on the safe side, here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind before you break out the Tequila shots:

• Don't pass on the invitation to the party, it could hurt your reputation. Instead, stay for the dinner and maybe opt out of the dancing (if it's in a restaurant or hall).
  
• Ladies: Cover up the girls - although it's a social function, this time around the girls aren't invited to play! Remember if you wouldn't wear it to the office, then it should probably stay in the closet.
  
• Remember that even though this is a social event, it's still technically a business event. Maybe skip dancing on the speakers tonight!
• Always conduct yourself in a professional manner, the office party shouldn't be a time to blow off steam and complain about how much you hate your job. It's the only night of the year where you can enjoy each others company so make the most of it and get to know your coworkers.
• Remember what you learned in kindergarten: keep your hands to yourself. Grinding on the dance floor, (think Red Red Wine by UB40) grabbing, or pinching of other people's body parts is probably not a good idea. We know, the guy in the photo copy room is a hunk, maybe admire him from afar this time ok?
• That reminds us, stay away from the Mistletoe . . . no one's going to buy that you "accidentally" bumped into copy boy's lips!
  
• And last but not least, never drink and drive.

We hope you enjoyed our party ideas and etiquette tips. If you have suggestions we'd love to hear them, be sure to leave your comments for us and your fellow readers to weigh in on your ideas.

Photo Source: www.classesandcareers.com