During Christmas and the holiday season, the festive spirit and mellow mood extends even into the workplace. The overall pace is expected to slow considerably as the volume of work diminishes. By having holiday office parties, everyone can decompress a little, have some fun and enjoy the satisfaction from the results of a year’s hard work. Office colleagues can celebrate goals that have been accomplished and look forward to an even more profitable year.
Know When (and When Not) to Exchange Gifts
Parties at work during Christmas and other holidays may include a voluntary gift exchange. Individuals will have to make a decision whether or not they’ll participate. In a situation where you may not know other colleagues very well and are uncertain what Christmas present to give, it may be better to opt out of exchanging gifts. If the party and gift exchange involves a fairly large group, such as the company as a whole or several departments, it may not be noticed if you don’t participate in the gift exchange. If it’s a small group, however, it’s likely to be noticed. To eliminate the possibility of any negative talk regarding your non-participation, it’s probably be better to be among those exchanging gifts.
Don’t Hide Behind the Secret Santa
A basic thing to remember in selecting presents for work-related Christmas gift exchanges, which are often called Secret Santa, is to not choose anything inappropriate or offensive. Although the your identity as the giver won’t be revealed, an unsuitable gift will leave the recipient with a bad feeling and it will become an unpleasant topic of conversation around the office. Be sure that your Secret Santa gift is something you’d give to your boss.
Give Small But Tasteful Gifts to Colleagues
Apart from the Secret Santa gift exchange at work, it may also be a good gesture to give your co-workers Christmas presents, which can be small tokens or even just candies or treats. You should give these nominal gifts to colleagues in a division or department if you’re the respective leader or manager. Such a gesture shows thoughtfulness and appreciation of your fellow workers. It serves as a good note on which to end the year and start a new one.
Don’t Drink Much
Another crucial thing to observe during holiday office parties is good behavior that’s considered casual but still business-like. Although there will be some fun and laughter, it will be occurring within a work environment or within the parameters of the workplace. You and your co-workers will still be observed by supervisors and colleagues. It is of utmost importance to be cautious about how much partying you do – specifically how much alcohol is consumed – because drunken or obnoxious behavior won’t be tolerated and could have damaging repercussions on your career.
Observe Good Etiquette
Consideration of good etiquette is also something to be remembered and observed at holiday office parties. Examples of bad etiquette are talking and laughing with food in your mouth, emptying a platter of hors d’oeuvres into your purse or bagging candies, cookies or treats to take home. These behaviors are all considered terrible etiquette.
Schmooze with Superiors
Holiday office parties can also provide an opportunity to have a brief conversation with supervisors, managers and other company officials with whom you may not come in contact frequently. It may be the ideal time to leave a good impression on a key administrator. By introducing yourself and striking up a conversation, you are also putting a face to a name or making yourself known and standing out among fellow colleagues. For those who are strive for promotions and would like to advance in their careers, such interactions at work-related Christmas parties are potentially beneficial and advantageous.
Project a Professional Image
Above all, it’s important to keep in mind that while holiday office parties are fun, there are still ways to inconspicuously seek some career benefits while you laugh and enjoy a break from the stress, competition and daily routine of work. Keep up your professional image while letting your hair down a little. Remember that your image is what helps propel you toward accomplishing your professional goals.