A woman speaks on the phone in her office while wearing pretending her face is actually a smiley-face balloon.
A woman speaks on the phone in her office while wearing pretending her face is actually a smiley-face balloon.
Some dread it, some live for dressing up in costume for it and others use it as an excuse to let off steam.
The office party is a tradition that can invoke some sticky situations, as colleagues and bosses mingle in a social environment while alcohol is imbibed liberally.
From the woman thought to be speaking on the phone dressed as a balloon, to the co-worker who got carried away dancing on a chair, the Daily Mail's FEMAIL tracked down the most awkward photos from office parties around the world.
And while many of the photos seem innocent at first glance, there is more to these images than meets the eye. The people featured in the photos are sure to have regretted their actions the next morning, whether they were standing in front of a malfunctioning green screen or perching on Santa's lap when they're far too old.
In celebration of the new movie Office Christmas Party, Awkward Family Photos is asking people to share the most cringe-worthy snapshots of their colleagues for the site's latest contest.
One of the most hilarious images sees four female co-workers posing at a sushi restaurant together. It would have been a cute photo, except for the fact that one woman had her hand resting on the top of her colleague's breast.
This episode was not realised until after the photo was taken and the party was over.
"Where do you rest your hand during a photo?" a woman named Dawn joked when she shared the snapshot.
Another awkward image sees a group of co-workers wearing plastic while recreating what they thought was a Hawaiian scene.
These two bespectacled friends had no idea what they were posing for as a sexy female dressed in red and fur trimmed costume sits on Santa's lap.
However, the green screen wasn't working and they ended up standing in front of a blank neon background instead.
"Our office luau," a man named Chris wrote when he submitted the picture.
Other photos in the series prove that some people's bosses are willing to put up with a lot more than most.
One man is pictured smiling while holding up what looks like holiday socks, however, the green leaves weren't from a holly branch.
"We bought our boss weed socks," Holly explained. "He's a good sport!"
Another male boss who has a bald head and a beard was all smiles when he posed with three female colleagues who recreated his look with nude caps and fake facial hair.
"Twin day in the office," Amber explained.
Then there is just the everyday silliness that goes on in the office, from one woman modeling her swan costume for Halloween to another creeping posing for a photo behind her colleague's shoulder.
"Sadly I would like to say that this was for this contest exclusively but it was not. This is a normal day in the office...with me...and my poor poor co-workers," Muriel explained of her slightly creepy snapshot.
And, of course, there are always the hilarity that ensues when adults pose for holiday photos.
One group of teachers went all out as they dressed as Santa Claus' reindeer - including Rudolph.
"This is our high school humanities department embracing the holiday season and spreading cheer to other departments," Jamie explained of the department Christmas card.
Looks like this chap was in high spirits that is until he fell to the floor off his chair and it collapsed into pieces.
Some office parties don't have explanations for the odd antics that happen during them.
One picture of Santa, taken in South Florida at the work party for Campus Court Apartments, which is private student accommodation, shows him dancing in a way that might not be expected for an overweight man who gives presents to children.
Another photo, taken at an office party in London, shows an awkward secret Santa present given to the recipient - a blow up doll wearing thigh high boots.
The photographer posed the doll on top of a beer bottle at their dinner table - which no doubt garnered some questioning glances.
A man posing next to what looks like a fairground ride designed to look like a pig also creates questions.
The photo, taken during an office party in Atlanta, shows the man awkwardly waving while next to the vaguely scary pig.
Clothing can often play a large part in creating an awkward situation during an office party.
In a picture taken on the west coast of Canada, a group of people wearing cheesy Christmas jumpers pose awkwardly in a line, not wanting to meet each other's eyes.
Can you blame them while they're wearing jumpers as garish as that?
One man at an office party in Phoenix, Arizona, created an awkward moment when he appeared to be so surprised by a birthday cake firework he seems to be giving the cake - and his co-workers - a rude hand gesture.
For proof that awkward party situations can spread far and wide, look at the photo of two miserable looking dogs wearing party hats.
Taken at the United Kennel Club offices in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the party is celebrating the black poodle's second birthday party.
Neither dog looks very happy about the doggy office party, however.
Another photo seems to show the loneliest office Christmas party ever.
Two people, both dressed festively, stand beside each other in an empty office.
A woman looks pleased with her make-shift costume as she poses with safety cones on her arms and legs and one on her head for a hat.
They don't look at all like they want to celebrate Christmas with only two of them there.
The picture, taken in London, shows the exchange of secret Santa gifts - guess they must have picked the wrong thing!
And one woman thought that she wasn't too old to sit on Santa's lap, while Santa smiled uncomfortably with his hand on her back.
The woman, who was visiting Warner Bros studio lot in California, has her legs crossed while she perches on the fat man's knee at her workplace party.
Santa always knows whether you have been naughty or nice and judging by this family's cringe-inducing Christmas photo, they'll all be placed firmly on the naughty list.
Carefully arranged gift-wrapped presents are the only things that protect their modesty topped off with Santa hats.
It's not possible to decide which part of baby's first Christmas family photo is the most awful part - the grown man in a nappy or the fact his child is clearly so scared by the camera flash it has unfortunately stained it's own nappy.
Either way the mother dressed as an angel is perfectly happy with her two cherubs.
Whoever came up with the idea to go topless while surrounded by your daughters and wife should really be ashamed of themselves.
Dad decided that for his holiday photo he would shun the matching pyjama sets modelled by them and do his own thing.
A dog got roped into helping out in the office while everyone else went and had fun, he tried to fit in by wearing glasses and cat pyjamas.
A group of office workers decided to show off their matching socks, but the awkward photo included posing on top of the only man in the office.
