How to actually enjoy your work Christmas party

It's that time of year, when your boss is weeping over the John Lewis Christmas ad, and the OOOs are starting to pop off... here's our guide to getting the most out of your work's year-end celebrations.

Your first job at a creative company comes with all sorts of rites of passage: Your first pitch, your first published work, your first 6pm client call asking for “a few tweaks”.

But one of the most revered (and feared) traditions of all is the office Christmas party.

There was a time in the mid 00s when agencies, even the small ones, would go all-out with swanky venues, circus performers and costume themes that required a level of commitment usually reserved for Halloween.

But budgets aren’t what they were, and let’s face it, enthusiasm for organised fun has waned slightly since Covid, but your first work Christmas party still matters. Here's why.

It’s a chance to meet people you’ve only ever seen on video calls, to build relationships beyond small talk in the lift, and to quietly observe who becomes extremely animated after one glass of warm Prosecco.

Sonia Moskowitz photographs Studio 54 in 1977

So here are my non-cringe, actually practical tips for making the most of your work’s festive do.

1. Arrive with someone

Walking into a loud room alone is anxiety-inducing for even the most seasoned party-goer. Turn-up with a couple of colleagues so you have a natural group to stand with while you get your bearings.

2. Nominate a “wing person”

Have a mutual “are you alright?” agreement with the colleague you feel closest to. Check-in on them throughout the night and be ready to swoop in and rescue them from overly long DMCs if they need it, while knowing they’ll do the same for you.

3. Drink at your own pace

Absolutely no one whose opinion matters will care how much you do or don’t drink. Getting obliterated rarely leads to meaningful professional growth. Choose self-preservation.

4. Eat lunch!

Work party dinners are notoriously unpredictable. You may or may not see a canapé. A late-afternoon pasta is a wise insurance policy.

5. Talk to one new person

Just one. You don’t need to network like an over-caffeinated intern. Simply have a conversation with someone you don’t usually work with. You never know what great ideas or opportunities might come from a new connection.

6. Remember it’s still a workplace

In theory, it’s a party. In practice, the HR boundaries haven’t magically evaporated. If anything makes you uncomfortable, you can step away, leave, or raise it afterwards.

7. Keep the chat away from work

This is a good moment to find out what the people you sit near actually do outside the hours of 9–6. Everyone has a life beyond the Monday morning status meeting; so get curious, ask questions and listen to the answers.

8. Wear something you feel like yourself in

If you’re unsure of the dress code, ask someone who’s been before. But don’t overthink it. Make a bit of effort if you want to, but ultimately wear what makes you comfortable enough to stay out longer than 45 minutes.

9. Speak to your boss early

A brief, calm, sober hello does a lot more for your reputation than trying to locate them at 11pm when everyone’s shouting over Beyoncé.

10. Keep an open mind

Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Some might be experiencing a loss or a difficult month for all sorts of reasons, so try not to make assumptions and be aware of the biases you might bring to the chat. Asking open questions such as “how do you feel about this time of year” can be more inclusive than “are you looking forward to Christmas?”

10. Leave when you’ve had enough

You’re not obliged to stay until the bitter end. If you’ve hit your limit, say your goodbyes (or slip out quietly if that feels easier) and go home. No one will judge you for leaving.

Click here for more advice on making a great impression in your first job