Holiday Entertainment

As soon as we saw the ornaments go up in the local mall, we realized that the 2005 holiday entertaining season lurks just around the corner. Before it begins, you may wish to meet with your newest employees, professionals and staff alike, and provide them with tips to help them navigate this potentially perilous time of year. Among the tips we suggest:

An office party is a business event.
Despite the fact that the word party is often used, attendees should remember that holiday office events are still business events. The intent is to bring co-workers together to share camaraderie and good will. Attendees should behave in a business-like manner.

Attend.
Only the most unusual circumstances excuse an absence at the office holiday party. Soon after receiving an invitation, all invitees should RSVP their intentions to attend. Invitees may bring a guest only if the invitation specifies "and guest." Assume children are invited only when the invitation specifies "and family."

Arrive.
It is our custom in the U.S. to arrive fashionably late, which means 10 to 15 minutes after the designated start time. There is no excuse for arriving 20 minutes before the event is scheduled to end.

Dress.
To repeat, this is a business event. Standard business attire is appropriate at the office party. Unless an invitation states otherwise, we strongly advise attendees to avoid formal dress. Skimpy or sparkly clothing is never appropriate at these events.

Network.
Urge attendees to use the holiday party as a means to meet people in other practice areas and departments. They should avoid spending the entire event with their "office buddies." If they haven’t had the opportunity to meet firm management or leaders, encourage them to introduce themselves. Also, remind firm management that they have a responsibility to greet as many employees as possible.

Talk.
Even though a holiday party is a business event, conversations should not be limited to work issues. View the event as an opportunity to connect on a more personal level. If business issues do arise, make sure to speak in a positive and upbeat manner. Holiday parties are not the time to complain. Also, remind attendees not to monopolize conversations.

Eat.
In some cases, office parties involve sit-down meals. More often, we find, they involve a reception. If your firm plans the latter, remind attendees that food served at the reception is not intended to be their only source of nourishment that day. Encourage participants to sample the food, but remind them that no one wants to develop the reputation of being a hoarder.

Drink.
Soon after arriving at the office party, we encourage party attendees to obtain a beverage and hold it in their left hands. The beverage gives attendees something to do with their hands, and by holding the beverage in their left hand, their right hand stays warm, dry, and ready for a handshake. Emphasize to attendees that it is critical that they not over-imbibe at an office holiday party. Reputations can and have been permanently marred when alcohol is consumed in excess.

Gifts.
Unless the invitation specifies that gifts are to be exchanged or brought for donation, attendees should not bring a gift. If gifts are to be exchanged, avoid gag gifts of any kind.

Thanks.
Before leaving, attendees should thank the people who organized and hosted the event. All attendees should plan to leave just before or at the designated end time. No one should earn a “clean up crew” reputation.

Everyone in the firm should be aware of two additional tips:

Client Guests.
If clients have been invited to a holiday event, every employee of your organization has the responsibility to act as a host or hostess. That means employees should greet clients upon their arrival and introduce them and their guests to other attendees. Employees should further take responsibility for offering food and beverage. Before the client leaves, an employee should extend special thanks for the client’s attendance.

Holiday Cards.
If your organization provides holiday cards for employees to send to clients, no card should leave the organization without a handwritten signature. Encourage people within your organization to add a personal note to each card, even one as simple as "Wishing you a happy holiday season."

Here’s to your successful 2005 Holiday Season!