CHRISTMAS PARTY SURVIVAL GUIDE

I have been to my fair share of Christmas parties.

So this means I have also seen my fair share of drunken, wrong and generally interesting behaviour!

Check out our Editor’s top Christmas Party survival tips:

1. Have fun. Seriously. But don’t go crazy and don’t go overboard. Remember, these people are your colleagues, you have to see them 5 DAYS A WEEK. SOBER. The last thing you want is to be the hottest topic in the office (or else you’re going to feel about as good as Miley Cyrus after the VMA’s).

2. Christmas parties are a great way to get to know people within your company who you would normally not associate with too much. I.e. Jan from Accounts with all the pretty cat pictures, or Harry the slightly eccentric Graphic Designer. Take the chance to network and get to know your fellow workmates. Make the effort to chat to your Boss or CEO (*hot tip*: If you’re planning on having a few beverages, perhaps do this early on in the night to prevent any slurred “You’re the best boss ever, no, no, I mean it” speeches.) Try and branch out and meet new people.

3.If your corporate Christmas party has a theme, perhaps organise a group of you to dress up together in a similar or the same character. If you are widely concerned about fancy dress parties (as most people are), this will put your mind at ease (plus it makes for some cool photos)

4. ORGANISE YOURSELF! Know how you’re getting home. Know where you are staying if not at home. Make sure you have your keys / hotel room key. Don’t be THAT person who went to the work Chrissy party and landed up sleeping at Hyde Park. Just don’t. It’s wrong and people will laugh at you.

5. If you’re not drinking / REALLY don’t want to go, have your excuse ready. A well executed excuse can elevate any of the VERY annoying things drunk people say such as “I can’t believe you’re going”, “You’re such a piker”, “You used to be fun before you got a boyfriend/girlfriend”. These situations are avoidable with a simple “I have to leave early because _____”. (Yes, I have done this. Many times)

6. If you think you could be a “champagne liability”, buddy up with a friend and tell them (when you’re sober) to keep an eye on you. If they see you stumbling across the dance floor, swaying when standing up or slurring like Ozzy Osbourne, they need to get you a water. This will also stop you from any other “inappropriate” behaviour.

7. Try not to talk about work. People already hate talking about work AT WORK! So get to know your colleagues on a personal level! Find out about their families, where they grew up etc etc. Parties are meant to be fun, last quarters not-so-good sales figures ARE NOT!

8. A lot of companies opt for a mid week Christmas Party (perhaps to keep “champagne liabilities” drinking a little less champagne on the company account). Let’s face facts, unless you’ve managed to get annual leave (highly unlikely), you’re going to have to rock up to the office. Be prepared. Have your clothes and anything else you require for a hellish hangover ready BEFORE you go to your party. That way, you can wake up, have a shower, strong coffee and hope and pray you don’t look as bad as you feel. Whatever you do DO NOT CALL IN SICK! Management frown upon this kind of thing, so just rock up, have some Panadol and deal.

9.  Hangovers are the complaint your body makes when you forget what it needs. Your body is happy for you to have alcohol, but remember it will wash out the nutrients your body needs to work properly. This is why when you’re hungover you crave junk food, which works in the short-term and later will give you zits, burps, and a loss of whatever self-respect you had left over from the night before.

10. Last of all, have fun, enjoy yourself and take a whole heap of pics for Instagram (you could even organise a # for all the pics i.e. #J&BXMASSHINDIG)

Remember to drink responsibly!

If you’re looking for a Christmas Party venue in Sydney, check out our venues!

Christmas Party venues Sydney