How to survive your office Christmas party

Office Christmas parties can be a breeding ground for all kinds of awkwardness. Photo / Getty

It's a recipe for disaster: mixing holiday stress with booze and your boss. If you want to arrive at work on Monday free of hazy, mortifying memories and sniggering colleagues, here are our top tips for surviving your office Christmas party.

1. Don't talk shop

It may be the obvious topic of conversation, but discussing work issues is not advisable. Nor is deciding to bring up job opportunities, bonuses or raises.

2. Mind the dodgy comments

The music, the free drinks, the strange morphing of colleagues into "besties" - it's easy to get confused in such a setting. And easy to say something you wouldn't usually.

TriNet director of human capital services Jackie Breslin tells Business Insider: "Give a compliment that is appropriate and won't make a coworker uncomfortable. A fair number of workplace complaints regarding inappropriate conduct have an origin at the company holiday party."

3. Don't twerk. Don't dab

Miley's over twerking, you should be too. And dabbing? Keep it to yourself.

4. Don't try and take the party somewhere else afterwards

Before you decide to hitch a ride to Ponsonby with Mike from accounts, remind yourself how awkward you felt making small talk with him two hours earlier. It will be even worse on Monday.

5. Don't do shots

Sure, it feels like a swift way to smooth the awkward banter, but it will end badly. We promise.

6. Don't confess your blunders to your boss

They may seem more chummy out of the harsh office lighting, but this is not the time to reveal your biggest stuff ups. It's never the time.

7. Don't succumb to office gossip

If you're not okay with feeding the rumour mill in the work place, don't resort to doing so as a way to make conversation at your office party.

8. Choose your costume wisely

You can be excused for getting a little intoxicated. But you will never live down flashing your colleagues.

9. Don't harrass the DJ

He's probably your boss's son.

10. Plan your exit strategy

Before they hit the lights and you realise you're really in an office space disguised as a bar, get the hell out of there.