Holiday Etiquette for the Office Party

Should I wear a Santa hat or a Christmas sweater to the office party? Is it alright to drink at the office before New Year's Eve? Does this fruit cake make me look fat?

Decisions about holiday etiquette; they're almost as hard as deciding what gifts to buy. So here are some general principles, suited particularly for lawyers and their clients at those office parties.

Dress for Excess

Come on, it's a party. Dress for the occasion -- conservative and classy, maybe a little sassy. Santa hats and Christmas sweaters are fine, unless you are in court first.

Eat Like You Like It

Everybody knows that it is impolite to decline food when offered, unless it's not kosher or you have an allergy. And almost everybody is allergic to fruit cake, right?

Don't Chug the Eggnog

Even if you really like eggnog, you don't have to swim in it. You might end up in a hospital, like this guy.

Mingle With a Jingle

Ok, you don't have to wear bells. But get into the festive spirit and be cheery.

Watch Out for the Mistletoe

Save the kisses for spouses or significant others --- and definitely not at the same time and place. Office romances rarely last longer than the two weeks between Christmas and New Years Eve anyway.

Silence Your Cell Phone

It's usually rude to interrupt a conversation to make a phone call, and it's more embarrassing to have your phone ring at the wrong moment --- especially if it's that duck-quack ring tone.

Say Goodnight and Thank You

Our parents, or at least one of them, taught us to thank people for their hospitality. So don't leave the party early if you can help it, and definitely don't leave without thanking your host or hostess.

Don't Drink and Drive

It almost goes without saying. Just get a ride or wait until you get home to numb your brain.

Feel free to save this list for future reference. If you follow these etiquette tips, you'll probably get invited back next year.

Related Resources:

• The Worst Office Christmas Party Faux Pas Ever (Morphsuits)
• Alcohol at Company Parties: When to Say 'When'? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• Just Don't Do It: The Three 'Don'ts' of Holiday Office Parties (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)