office party

Office Holiday Party Etiquette
Holiday

8 Things You Shouldn't Do at Your Company Holiday Party

It's that time of the year again when the people at your company get together for a little holiday shindig.
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It's that time of the year again when the people at your company get together for a little holiday shindig. If you go about it the right way, your annual office party can be a great time for you to meet people in your company that you've always wanted to get to know better. In fact, a Forbes article mentioned that the party can raise your visibility in your company and lead to a promotion down the line. Just make sure you don't commit any of these office party faux pas:

  • Get way too drunk. You're allowed to have some alcohol, but make sure you pace and limit yourself. If you want to know how much you can drink, Grub Street has a neat infographic that cites the right amount of liquor each type of employee should imbibe.
  • Stick to your tribe. If you already belong to a clique in the office, use the party as an opportunity to stray away from the pack. After all, you see those familiar faces all the time. Who knows? You may develop great new friendships outside of your circle.
  • Talk about work the whole time. Seriously, don't talk about the broken copy machine or how much work you're going to have to do when you get into the office tomorrow. Try to think of nonwork topics to lighten the mood. Talking about the daily grind may seem second nature to you when you're around colleagues, but it can stress people out because it's reminding them of work.
  • Gossip or complain. Don't be a debbie downer and moan about work or talk about the latest office gossip. People can easily overhear what you're saying so you might want to save your personal comments for another time.

Read on for more things you shouldn't do at the office party.

Office Party Etiquette
Holiday

5 Tips For Surviving and Thriving at Your Company Holiday Party

It's that time of year — time to join your co-workers and bosses at the annual company holiday party.
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Office Party Etiquette

It's that time of year — time to join your co-workers and bosses at the annual company holiday party. Some love celebrating with their office, while others may not be so into the holiday festivities with co-workers. Either way, there's definitely a certain etiquette required for surviving the soiree. So, before you get ready to booze, cruise, and schmooze with your fellow co-workers, read on to get tips on how to thrive at your company's gathering this year.

Let Loose but Limit Drinking Network Make a New Friend Prep Conversation Starters For People Who Intimidate You Stay Long Enough but Don't Be the Last to Leave
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I'm Asking: Is Your Company Hosting a Holiday Party?
Holiday

I'm Asking: Is Your Company Hosting a Holiday Party?

Holiday party mania is in full swing — from ugly sweater parties, swanky galas, cookie swaps to good old fashioned company holiday soirees.
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Holiday party mania is in full swing — from ugly sweater parties, swanky galas, cookie swaps to good old fashioned company holiday soirees.

While the economy still has most companies on a tight budget, I suspect more offices will be decking the halls than last year. Are you gearing up for a company-hosted holiday or end of the year fete?

How to Host an Office Baby Shower
How To

How to Host an Office Baby Shower

On certain occasions, say when someone is getting married or having a baby, it's fun to throw them a small sendoff celebration in the office.
by partysugar

On certain occasions, say when someone is getting married or having a baby, it's fun to throw them a small sendoff celebration in the office. With a few simple decorations, you can easily transform any conference room. Recently, a baby shower was hosted for Lisa Sugar, here at Sugar headquarters. In less than 15 minutes, the room was ready for a party. Here's how you can achieve a similar effect:

  1. Spread a large pink paper tablecloth across the table.
  2. Arrange plastic champagne glasses in neat rows and fill with three kinds of sparkling Martinelli's.
  3. Add streamers, confetti, and a baby girl sign. Don't forget themed napkins.
  4. Purchase cupcakes from a local bakery (ours were from Kara's Cupcakes) and take them out of the box. Place on plastic or glass cake stands.
  5. A homemade diaper "cake" is a focal point and centerpiece for the tablescape.

Voila! Instant office baby shower. Have you hosted a party in your office? Share your tips and ideas below.

View 19 Photos ›

To check out a bunch more photos of the decor, read more

What Would You Choose For Your Office-Birthday Treat?
Poll

What Would You Choose For Your Office-Birthday Treat?

Jim and Dwight took their party-planning responsibilities seriously in last night's episode of The Office, blowing up balloons, decorating a sheet cake, and even thinking of a theme for Kelley's birthday.
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Jim and Dwight took their party-planning responsibilities seriously in last night's episode of The Office, blowing up balloons, decorating a sheet cake, and even thinking of a theme for Kelley's birthday.

The demanding birthday girl got the cake no matter what, but the planning duo gave Kelley the option of taking a one-hour nap or watching one hour of TV for her birthday treat. Kelley went for the nap, which is exactly what I would choose without hesitation. What about you?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Holiday

What's Your Most Memorable Office Party Moment?

Office holiday parties have the tendency to be awkward, to say the least, which is the reason many workers say they need alcohol to have a good time at these festive functions.
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Office holiday parties have the tendency to be awkward, to say the least, which is the reason many workers say they need alcohol to have a good time at these festive functions. On last night's episode of The Office, Meredith took this necessity to the next level and got hammered on a potent alcoholic potion (equal parts scotch, rum, absinthe, gin, vermouth, triple sec, and two packs of Splenda) concocted by the Scranton branch boss himself, Michael Scott.

In celebration of the party's "Nights in Morocco" theme, Meredith lifted up her shirt to show off her belly-dancing skills, and while dancing her hair somehow catches on fire. Check out the video of the absolutely ridiculous Dunder-Mifflin party, and then tell me, what's your most memorable office party moment?

Do You Need Alcohol to Enjoy Your Office Holiday Party?
Holiday

Do You Need Alcohol to Enjoy Your Office Holiday Party?

It seems that beer goggles have expanded their functionality from bars to office holiday parties.
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It seems that beer goggles have expanded their functionality from bars to office holiday parties. According to a YouGov survey of 1,429 UK workers, 43 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 45 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds admitted to needing alcohol to enjoy their office parties; co-workers and bosses seem more tolerable when these workers are under the influence.

Reliance on alcohol dropped as the respondents' ages increased: 32 percent of 34- to 44-year-olds said alcohol was necessary to have a good time, while 25 percent of those aged 45-54 agreed. The survey concluded that, overall, 28 percent of workers depend on alcohol for fun at office holiday parties. Because the booze is on the house and the social company isn't stimulating or makes you nervous, as is the case at many work parties, the survey findings aren't too surprising.

Let's do ourselves a favor though, and make sure we stay under our limit at these functions. Do you belong in the group that can't stand being around your co-workers and bosses any longer than a typical work day without the help of alcohol?

Photo copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.

Did You Get the Office Memo? The Party's Over
Holiday

Did You Get the Office Memo? The Party's Over

Now that we're officially in an economic recession, it probably won't come as a shocker that this holiday may seem a little short on company-sponsored festivities.
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Now that we're officially in an economic recession, it probably won't come as a shocker that this holiday may seem a little short on company-sponsored festivities. Even the traditionally lavish Google is downsizing its holiday party this year — gone are the days of ice sculptures of the company's logo.

According to one survey, 2008 will have the lowest percentage of corporate holiday functions seen in the US in the past 20 years; roughly 20 percent of businesses are downsizing or canceling Christmas festivities, with at least 65 percent of New York businesses scaling back or cutting their holiday functions. Some are forgoing virtually all overhead costs, opting to throw a potluck party at the most memorable of settings: the office. Holiday parties are far from a necessity, so it makes smart sense that companies have seriously slashed these costs.

How is your employer handling the holidays this year?

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Is Your Company Having a Holiday Party This Year?
Holiday

Is Your Company Having a Holiday Party This Year?

The chill in the air can only mean that the holidays are just around the corner, which usually means an invitation for the annual office party would appear in your inbox any day now.
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The chill in the air can only mean that the holidays are just around the corner, which usually means an invitation for the annual office party would appear in your inbox any day now. Word on the street is that after a rough year that included the termination of CosmoGIRL!, Hearst Corp. has canceled its holiday party, and perhaps its decision is an indication of what other corporations will do about celebrating this year.

I imagine the party scene this holiday season will look much different than what most workers are used to — if not canceled altogether, most company parties will probably be more prudent than in the past.

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office

The Office Baby Shower Is Storkless But There's Cake

Workday parties at the office are usually hard to get excited about — it's not that people don't care about their co-worker's birthday or baby, but most gatherings are inevitably awkward and employees are surprised to realize they'd rather be at their desks.
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Workday parties at the office are usually hard to get excited about — it's not that people don't care about their co-worker's birthday or baby, but most gatherings are inevitably awkward and employees are surprised to realize they'd rather be at their desks. Unless, of course, there are enticing treats involving icing.

Phyllis understands this and uses sheet cake as motivation for the Dunder Mifflin employees to donate money for Jan's baby shower on last night's episode of The Office. She tells Stanley and Oscar to "look at it as if you're paying for the cake, not the baby, sheet cake." Check out the video below of the party committee preparing for the baby shower. What's your take on conference room parties? Does cake make everything better?