Whether you relish the thought of attending the office holiday party or not, you should attend.  “The company and your boss are making the effort to bring everyone together in order to build morale and teamwork among the employees” says Lydia Ramsey, business etiquette expert and author.  Just in time for holiday festivities, she offers her tricks of the trade for making the most of the event.

* Talk to your boss.  You want your boss to know that you came and if you don’t have a conversation with him or her, they may not realize you were even there.

* Don’t be in a hurry to leave.  For cocktail receptions, plan on staying at least an hour.  For sit-down events it will obviously be longer.

* Don’t be a glutton.  Food is often a way to hide from having to engage in conversation with others at events, but make sure you don’t head straight for the buffet upon arrival.  Wait 10 – 15 minutes before sampling the goodies.

* Be professional at all times.  Regardless of how casual an event is, holiday parties are still about business.  Never have more than one or two drinks and actively engage with other guests – not just the ones you are close with at the office.

Happy Holidays!

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