What Not to Do - Or Do As I Say, Not as I Did

There are a lot of things that companies (i.e. management) and employees do at the company Christmas party that should probably be avoided, for everyone's sake.

1) Don't drink too much
Actually this I think this is so important, I make it suggestions one, two and three. I can't stress it enough because there is so much scope for disaster. I suspect most problems at company Christmas parties stem from too much adult beverage, either provided or brought along in a flask. Emotions are running high, stress levels peak and pretty soon, loose lips are torpedoing careers. If it's one of the few times a year someone gets out of house and office, and takes a drink or two, they will probably overdo it. And if you know you are going to drink, don't drive - plan ahead and make sure you have a ride.

Having said that, I don't suggest that drink is banned either - just encourage everyone to be responsible and help them do it.

4) Don't lay off employees
Yes, it happened once, at our company's Christmas luncheon. As is the way, we all knew it was coming, despite the secrecy. There were jokes about 'the last supper' and we all looked under our plates for our pink-slips. The boss looked like he was about to get fired instead of us - I actually felt sorry for him. Once our lunches were digesting and there was a lull in the already quiet conversation, the managers left and the 'victims' were called to the front office one by one. Merry Christmas!

5) Don't overdo the holiday spirit
According to a recent local poll, people are already pretty fed up with the Christmas hype by Thanksgiving. So why not step back from the modern "Christmasy" Christmas party and have something festive, but different - maybe something as simple as a traditional Mexican Christmas or a Renaissance Christmas.

6) Don't do gifts
We all have too much stuff, and it's hard to select something useful for someone you live with, let alone someone you work with. So why not organize something with a local charity - a toy drive, or a coat drive, gifts for the troops or a pet food drive for an animal charity. Or take up a collection for an employee that is down on their luck, or a local family that could use a help with the holiday season.

7) Don't let children run amok
If you take your children, don't assume that your hosts are going to babysit - make sure your children mind their manners. I helped some friends with their first company Christmas party, it was a family oriented business, so the kids were invited. Games, prizes, pictures, face painting and a craft table were all provided to keep the kids busy and it worked - for a while. However, it soon became obvious that several parents had NO intention of keeping their children under control. The little darlings were throwing food, smashing the toys they had just received and running around screeching, despite being asked repeatedly by the helpers to settle down. I said I would help out next year - if I was issued a tasser.

8) Don't schedule a big day for the day after
A slightly sadistic boss of mine scheduled a rather long and grueling meeting for 9:00 am the day after a very large and boisterous, company-wide Christmas party (also my most embarrassing party memory, as luck would have it). I am NOT proud to say that I wasn't the only one having trouble concentrating in that rather tedious session. He could have been kinder and held the meeting in the afternoon - or the next day.

There a lot of things that we DON'T need to do at (and after) the company party. Keep these things in mind, and hopefully everyone can have better memories of a time that should be enjoyed by all.

Learn more about this author, Pat Gray.
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