FEATURE ARTICLE
Preparing for the
Christmas Party
By Lolita Villa
When the Christmas
holidays come round, expect to get invited to a number
of parties, including the one at the office. While participating
in any celebratory event requires you to be at your best,
this is never more important than in partying with the
people you work with. This is because corporate parties
are not just occasions to relax with one's peers at the
workplace; such events also serve as a good place to network
your way to the top.
Remember that these
corporate gatherings will place you in an easy environment
where people in all the right places can have a chance
to get acquainted with you in ways that a regular office
set-up will not allow. When maximized fully, the office
Christmas party can play a vital role in helping you initiate
fruitful relationships that will benefit you in the long
run, career-wise.
With this in mind,
don't make it a habit to shun parties if you're too shy,
or make this an occasion to go on a drinking binge with
your office buds. Making a fool of yourself in a state
of inebriation or keeping to yourself quietly in a corner
will not create wonders for your career.
Take the time to prepare
for this event by following the tips below. With the right
attitude and enough preparation, you might find enough
chances to plant good seeds at this year's parties that
will yield valuable crops in the times to come:
1. Be prompt.
It's basic courtesy to be on time, especially if you are
conducting the party at someone's house. Though we Filipinos
are notorious for saving the best for last, imagine how
pitiful it must be for the host if a lot of the guests
choose to show up in the later hours. Plus, being on time
will make you stand out, and give you enough time to socialize
with as many guests as you can. The early bird always
gets the worm.
2. Get a grip
on your bearings. Before coming to the party,
try to know exactly what you are getting into. Who's going
to be there? What kind of party is it going to be? Will
the host appreciate your bringing some food to add to
the table? If possible, try to do enough research on what
the interests of your party mates are so you can conduct
interesting conversations with them. If you're the shy
type, practice in front of the mirror. Prepare a list
of topics you can discuss, or practice how you are going
to introduce yourself to people.
3. Dress for
success. You could probably go a little wild
in some of the parties you attend this year; the office
party is not one of them. Check the dress code, whether
you're supposed to get formal or be in business casual.
Try not to get into plunging necklines or wear skirts
with slits going up to your waist.
4. Don't eat
too much. The food is tempting and you're a lover
of edible delights, but don't use the office party as
a chance to chow down in quantities that would make you
too preoccupied for anything else. How you conduct yourself
at a buffet table is an indication of breeding and social
grace. Some etiquette gurus even go so far as to say that
you should eat a little before going to the party, to
give you time to pay more attention to the people, and
not the food.
5. Engage in
light and positive chit-chat. Don't be a total
bore by talking shop all night, especially with your boss.
Work talk is usually inappropriate in the party setting.
This is the time for everyone to let their hair down and
enjoy each other's company, within the set limits of propriety.
Party talk can be especially tricky with the presence
of booze around, so take care to count how much wine you're
guzzling. You don't want to start pouring your troubles
with total strangers, or get into heated arguments about
politics, religion or basketball. Keep topics to the bare
minimum: those things that will help you get to know each
other and will provide for better acquaintance in the
future.
6. Collect
and distribute business cards. Come prepared
by having enough cards at your finger tips to distribute
as much as you can. This is especially useful when partying
among industry people that you are not in the same company
with. Don't just disseminate your cards as though you
were distributing flyers at a mall though. These are mere
props to get you to get the conversation going with your
partner. With the amount of cards you bring, also make
sure that you go home with just as many cards from the
people you meet at the party.
7. Conduct
yourself in a professional manner. It's a party
and a chance to share a laugh with your superior. But
keep decorum and don't start getting too familiar that
you start to lose respect for your boss. Don't make it
a point to impress people with shocking stories, or tell
vulgar jokes to people you barely know.
8. Keep the
Christmas spirit. If you have a Kris Kringle
going at the office, don't neglect to bring your gift
for your monita or monito. Bring presentable gifts that
are wrapped nicely and properly. Be happy; don't take
party etiquette too seriously that you neglect to remember
that this is a time to be joyous. Over enjoying yourself
too much may lead you to act inappropriately, just as
being too stiff might lead people to just avoid socializing
with you. Nothing's worse than being a party pooper at
a party.
9. Don't dare.
It's exciting to get picked on during games and
other fun-filled activities at the party. Just don't go
on a dare if someone asks you to do something outrageous
like strip or perform a sexy dance, even if the party
is getting a bit rowdy. Keep sober and don't try to hug
the limelight. Keep in mind that the right people are
in attendance and that whatever you will do for the night
may make a lasting impression on everyone from that point
on.
10. Spread
yourself around. Don't monopolize a person, or
just stick to a particular group of people. Get up and
mingle. Be adventurous, walk up to strangers and introduce
yourself. Don't stick to familiar terrain. If you don't
know your boss too well, this is a chance for you to get
to know each other on a more relaxed level. Try to limit
yourself from 10 to 15 minutes at a time when chatting
with people so that you can gain more ground over the
competition.
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