What to do, and what not to do at your office Christmas party

Festive season shindigs are in full swing but too much of a good thing could end with you being a sobbing heap at the bar or snogging a colleague. Here’s how to stay on Santa’s nice list.

MELBOURNE, DECEMBER 13, 2023: What to do and what NOT to do at the office Christmas party. Well dressed couple in white - Stephen Wools, Gracie Ireland, how not to dress couple - Vasu Sondhi, Denika Vitharana, bad Santa - Josh Lefers. Picture: Mark Stewart

No one wants to wake up to the grey cloud of cringe.

As 2023 wraps up, festive season shindigs are in full swing.

Think corporate Christmas parties, school year enders, family catch ups. They are all ripe pickings for an accidental blow out, which in modern times can leave you with more than sore head the following day.

Hangovers and sufferers from “alcohol flush” have been documented back thousands of year, with a recent British study finding the average person spends nearly two years of their life nursing the aftermaths of a big night out. Everyone has a remedy from the hair of the dog the next day, to a can of Coke, to prevention tablets like Neon Tiger the night before.

But too much of a good thing can have you chewing the ear off your boss, snogging the guy from accounts in the corner, or a sobbing heap at the bar.

So in these cancel culture times don’t be a bad Santa, or ho ho ho this season.

We have some tips on how to steer off the naughty list and keep it nice.

Bad Santa hoarding his drinks and hangover prevention pills. Picture: Mark Stewart

Stay off social media:

Put down the iPhone. Repeat PUT. DOWN. THE. PHONE.

You don’t need that bathroom selfie from the rando person in sales or IT. And no good comes from Insta stories capturing the ambience and atmosphere of the dance floor, or worse inadvertently filming more than you bargained for.

Don’t pre-game:

Your parents were onto something when they kept banging on about having something in your tummy before you go out. Gen Z call pre-gaming before a night out “pres” or “prinking” and it is not advised under any circumstances, unless it involves eating something.

Vasu Sondhi and Denika Vitharana. Picture: Mark Stewart

Pop a hangover prevention pill:

Going to work the next day is the best way to find out the office goss and also circumvent any scurrilous rumours starting about yourself. Hangover prevention pills like from Australian wellness brand Neon Tiger have finally gotten better over the years and can help take the edge off the night before. Gulp that glass (or three!) of water down at the bathroom sink before you hit the hay.

Dress up, within reason

While no one likes a Debbie downer, pulling out the latex, goth make up, sheer and cutouts for the work Christmas do isn’t the best look. Best to keep your inner you for your inner circle. It also helps to put a bit of effort in, so ditch the WFH trackie daks to avoid raised eyebrows when shaking the boss’s hand.

Don’t be the last to leave

Or for that matter the first to make a dash as speeches are on. Make pleasantries, venture outside of your normal group and make a discreet exit, known as the phantom, when no one is watching.