Holiday Party – Photo: refinery29.com

Office holiday parties are tricky. Unless you decide to skip the whole thing altogether, you’ve gotta figure out where to go, what to wear, how to network, and how to fix your face (and the rest of you) so you look professional yet approachable, agreeable yet not too nice, pleasant but not bending over backwards, especially if you happen to meet the CEO of the Company….Oh, and although the alcohol may be free (not in all cases), you have to make sure to keep yourself in check and not get ridiculously drunk or even a tad bit tipsy, lest you would like to start the new year without a job and with a great professional reputation. Now if that doesn’t sound more like work than entertainment, you tell me…

Yet other than figuring out the dress code and checking your inner party gal at the door, here are a few tips to make the best out of this event:

1. If you wouldn’t wear it in front of your boss, don’t wear it! Simple rule of thumb, if it’s not appropriate enough to wear in front on your boss, it’s just not appropriate! Avoid sheer fabrics, revealing necklines, or climbing hems. You ain’t gotta lose your pretty, just make it pretty and professional.

2. Limit yourself to one drink…and sip on it all night. It’s an art to walk around with the same drink, acting like you’re sipping when all you’re doing is lightly kissing your glass. In any case, if you get wine-happy like I do, and even if you don’t, shoot for one drink, two at the most. Your co-workers are not that funny anyways…Plus aren’t you driving?

3. Stop networking like a robot, you’re human! Nothing worse than the guy who tries too hard to collect business cards and get promoted on the spot. Stop, remember you’re human, and act normal please! Instead of referring to your networking script, introduce yourself, ask people how they’re doing and have a normal, human conversation. You may even enjoy it…

The Corporate Sis