Office Parties 

Bring beauty to even the ugliest of office parties with our tips and hints

We're not saying that we're office party experts, but if SwindonWeb were to appear on Mastermind, this would definitely be our chosen specialised subject!

Surviving the annual (and infamous) Christmas office party is a key part of any successful career path. Bums on photo copiers and smooching in the broom cupboard, not to mention telling the boss exactly what you think of him or her, can be particularly detrimental to your promotional prospects.

Here are our SwindonWeb tips:

Planning the Office Party

1. Set a date and time

Although trickier than it sounds, try to set a date and time for the office party that is convenient for all involved.

The night before a key meeting or in the middle of an important project are times to be avoided. Thursday or Friday nights are always the best, but these dates tend to get booked up early so don't hang around.

2. Money

Get the money sorted out. Determining how the office party will be financed is vitally important. And if it comes to deposits make sure everyone pays up because arguments over money must always be avoided.

3. Theme

Choose a party theme. This can be helpful in deciding food choices and atmosphere.

4. Menus

Get the choices organised and try and limit the options. This bit can be a nightmare if it isn't organised properly so organise the menu on e.mail can really help.

We're not telling you what our favourite game is!

6. Transport

No one likes to go to a party and stick to the orange juice. Try and gets some taxis organised or sort out lift sharing.

7. Partners

Organising name tags if spouses and partners are being invited can be a good idea.

8. Information

Keep everyone informed. If the Christmas party is being held away from the office, send out invitations at least three weeks in advance and insist on replies. The modern wonders of email make this a lot easier.

9. Drinks

If the party is actually in the office then make sure that there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available.

Dressing up guarantees to spice up proceedings!

1. Office parties are usually compulsory events so thinking that you can avoid it and not be noticed is very bad form. That doesn't mean you have to be there until the cleaners have started and everyone is staggering out, but if needs must then arrive on time, mingle, speak to the boss, eat a few sausages on sticks, thank the organiser and make a graceful exit.

2. Don't be late.

3. Even though the alcohol is flowing, the music is playing and you appear to be flavour of the month, don't get carried away. Tempering your behavior with the thought that office party is a business function which could directly effect your job prospects is not a bad thing. If in doubt, say no isn't bad advice.

4. Hanky Panky should definitely be off the menu. Even after a few drinks the person you've fancied in the office for the last 2 years might not be entirely happy with a quick grope, so think on if you start getting frisky.

5. Meeting people with a reassuring handshake not a limp fish or hand-breaker.

6. Don't hang around the boss all night, laughing at unfunny jokes. Brown nosing is a definite no no. Flirting outrageously with the boss's partner is equally ill advised.

7. Make sure you get the right dress code. Arriving for a formal dinner in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt or a parrot costume won't go down too well.

Try not to embarass yourself in front of those you work with!

8. If you are accompanying someone, make sure you introduce them your colleagues and other people and stay with them. Parties can be very intimidating places so looking after your invited ones is very important.

9. Speak to your work colleagues. Take the opportunity to thank those who have helped you throughout the year and avoid fighting with those who have stabbed you in the back.

Whatever happens, enjoy yourself.