It's time for the annual month of merriment, where excess is agreed upon early and anything goes at the office Christmas party. Alcohol and attitude mixed with pent up emotions finally have a release valve in the gathering of colleagues at the annual Christmas event that will leave carnage for some and a sigh of relief for others. Countless experts will provide tips to survive this annual pilgrimage to loosening the tie and bringing forth that inappropriate garment, shimmering so brightly in the back of the cupboard. Yet even with all of this advice, the Christmas faux pas will live on in 2012 because many people see it as a golden opportunity to show off their less than funky dance moves, show off their fashion sense and of course show off parts of their anatomy hidden throughout the year by common sense.
Common sense is often the true loser at the Christmas function, months in the planning by the social committee or the marketing department, where the venue and the event seldom match up to expectations, causing people to take responsibility to liven up the night and bring forth their inner Robbie Williams. Flailing arms and legs, rotating pelvi and the obligatory John Travolta impersonations provide hours of fun and entertainment for the onlookers but often end up as career hiccups. It never ceases to amaze how many people volunteer for the guest magician having left their favourite underwear at home. The end of night sight, carrying stripper heels, antlers askance or tie used as a head band and last seen heading for the kebab van is not the objective the company had in mind when planning the party.
Dinner table discussions at the Christmas party should include how to get home safely, congratulations on jobs well done, how to spend the annual bonus and milestones everyone can celebrate. Not wearing antlers and asking if anyone needs a ride home, not asking the receptionist if she wants to retire to the cloakroom for the annual performance review and certainly not providing a running Twitter commentary on Marg from book keeping having trouble escaping the evil advances of Wayne from sales. With so many potholes to avoid, any wonder people become confused about expectations and apprehensive about wardrobe, dance moves and talking to the boss with a skinful.
The other side of the coin sees this event as an opportunity to get to the right people you may not have had the fortuity to meet or talk with, including the boss who is usually in a good mood and senior management who finally have to come out of their offices. You can hurdle the HR gate keepers and focus your discussions on the people who need to hear it, on subjects that need to be heard, all the while staying in the comfort zone of discussions over a friendly drink. It behoves the boss to be nice to you, even if its only at the Christmas party, so seize the champagne and seize the moment. Merry Christmas.
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