How to be the Life of Your Company Holiday Party Without Getting Fired

It's officially holiday season which means many companies throw their yearly office party. We've all heard the horror stories of co-workers shamelessly hooking up, embarrassing drunken slobbery, and folks making utter fools of themselves in other capacities in front of their bosses and peers. We may have even seen the debauchery unfold right before our eyes or made the regrettable decisions to party too hard in the past. And no, your co-workers haven't forgotten how you overdid it on the eggnog, xeroxed your face, and faxed it to upper management.

This year, enjoy the company holiday party and even be the life of it, without embarrassing yourself by showing off your "Electric Slide" moves to the new intern from accounting. By maintaining a level of decorum and tastefully spending enjoyable time with your co-workers, you can have a blast at the holiday party and even wake up hangover-free. It's time to party!

1. Have a Drink or Two (NO more)

If you enjoy a glass of merlot, a crisp seasonal beer, or a fruity cocktail now and then, there's no reason to forgo an adult drink at the office party. They're being offered, so it isn't like you brought your own flask of Jack Daniels to sneak in the restroom.

That said, know your limit and remain coherent at all times. Drink soda or water between drinks and promise yourself you'll only down a drink or two. As per Monster, "Over-imbibing is deadly to your office reputation, because your secret -- and not necessarily complimentary -- thoughts about your coworkers, boss and job are more likely to come flying out of your mouth when you've had too much to drink, says image consultant Dianne Daniels."

Along with the "liquid truth" element of too much alcohol, you can become clumsy, uninhibited (leading to who-knows-what), and ill. Puking in your party dress is not a resume-builder.

2. Prepare a Non-Offensive Joke

Everyone likes to share a good laugh, especially in a party atmosphere, so break the ice by busting out a clever joke to show you're outgoing and fun. However, know your audience and keep it clean. Offending HR even in a party setting is still a major faux pas.

If you're not a born comedian, seek out some jokes and one-liners online. Laugh Factory is chock full of chuckle-inducing content with all sorts of jokes in a variety of categories. Wouldn't you rather be the one people are laughing with and not at this year?

3. Mix & Mingle

Some of us never get to know everyone we work with when we're confined to a particular department or area of the building. The company party is the perfect time to introduce yourself to the folks in marketing, legal, and sales. Find out more about them both personally and professionally. Sticking with the same crowd you see day in and day out may feel comfortable, but it's a tad boring, not to mention, fairly rude. Parties were meant to be fun and part of the fun is sharing in the celebration with everyone present.

Monster suggests, "Say hello, and try to imagine doing a figure-eight around the room, greeting as many people as you can, says Michael Ray Smith, PhD, a communication professor at Campbell University."

Once you get to know more of the people who keep the company running, you'll have more appreciation for them and your company as a whole. Plus, in the future, they'll remember that you made the first move to become more sociable.

Are you ready to party? When all else fails, watch how your boss behaves. Let's hope he or she knows how to keep it together. Then, indulge in the food, take in the music, and let the good times roll!

For more party etiquette tips, read some worthy recommendations from Business Insider.

Related Articles Around the Web
PayPath
Follow Us on

Where to Donate to Support Afghanistan and Haiti

Afghan women

NBC

Over the past month, both Haiti and Afghanistan have been pummeled by tragic disasters that left devastation in their wake.

In Haiti, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake erupted, leading over to 2,189 deaths and counting. A few hours later, in Afghanistan, Kabul fell to the Taliban just after U.S. troops had pulled out after 20 years of war.

In many ways, these disasters are both chillingly connected to US interference. The United States invaded Haiti in 1915, ostensibly promising to restore order after a presidential assassination but really intending to preserve the route to the Panama Canal and to defend US creditors, among other reasons.

But the US forces soon realized that they were not able to control the country alone, and so formed an army of Haitian enlistees, powered by US air power and intended to quell Haitian insurrection against US controls. Then, in 1934, the US pulled out on its own, disappointed with how slow progress was going. Haiti's institutions were never really able to rebuild themselves, leaving them immensely vulnerable to natural disasters.

Something similar happened in Afghanistan, where the US sent troops and supported an insurgent Afghan army – only to pull out, abandoning the country they left in ruins, with many Afghans supporting the Taliban.

In both cases, defense contractors benefited by far the most from the conflict, making billions in profits while civilians faced fallout and devastation. While the conflicts and circumstances are extremely different and while the US is obviously not solely to blame for either crisis, it's hard not to see the US-based roots of these disasters.

Today, in Haiti and Afghanistan, civilians are facing unimaginable tragedy.

Here are charities offering support in Afghanistan:

1. The International Rescue Committee is looking to raise $10 million to deliver aid directly to Afghanistan

2. CARE is matching donations for an Afghanistan relief fund. They are providing food, shelter, and water to families in need; a donation of $89.50 covers 1 family's emergency needs for a month.

3. Women for Women International is matching donations up to 500,000 for Afghan women, who will be facing unimaginable horrors under Taliban control.


4. AfghanAid offers support for people living in remote regions of Afghanistan.

5. VitalVoices supports female leaders and changemakers and survivors of gender-based violence around the world.

Here are charities offering support in Haiti:

1. Partners in Health has been working with Haiti for a long time, and they work with the Department of Health rather than around them, which is extremely important in a charity.

2. Health Equity International helps run Saint Boniface Hospital, a hospital in Haiti close to the earthquake's epicenter.

3. SOIL is an organization based Haiti, "a local organization with a track record of supporting after natural disasters." They are distributing hygiene kits and provisions on the ground to hospitals and to victims of the earthquake.

4. Hope for Haiti has been working in emergency response in Haiti for three decades, and their team is comprised of people who live and work in Haiti. They focus on supporting children and people in need across Haiti.

Related Articles Around the Web
charity

How the Beyoncé and Jay Z Controversy Shows Gen Z's Money Priorities

via Tiffany & Co.

When the new Tiffany's campaign was unveiled, reactions were mixed.

Tiffany's, the iconic jewelry brand which does not (despite what some might be misled to believe) in fact serve breakfast, featured Jay Z, Beyoncé, and a rare Basquiat painting in their recent campaign.

Keep reading Show less
cleo

How to Save Money on a Road Trip

Stacker

Stacker.com

Road trips can be a lot of fun — but they can also drain your wallet quickly if you aren't careful.

From high gas costs and park admission fares to lodging and the price of eating out every night, the expenses can add up quickly. But at the same time, it's very possible to do road trips cheaply and efficiently. Without the headache of worrying about how much money you're leaking, you can enjoy the open road a whole lot more. Here's how to save money on a road trip.

1. Prepare Your Budget, Route, and Packing List in Advance

If you want to save money on a road trip, be sure you're ready to go. Try to count up all your expenses before you hit the road and create a budget. It's also a good idea to plan your route in advance so you don't end up taking unnecessary, gas-guzzling detours. And finally, be sure to pack in advance so you don't find yourself having to buy tons of things you forgot along the way.

2. Book Cheap Accommodations — Or Try Camping

All those motel rooms can add up surprisingly quick, but camping is often cheap or free, and it's a great way to get intimate with the place you're visiting. You can check the Bureau of Land Management's website for free campsites. Freecampsite.com also provides great information on If you don't have a tent or don't want to camp every night, try booking cheap Airbnbs or booking hotels in advance, making sure to compare prices.

Camping camping road tripConde Nast Traveler

If you're planning on sleeping in your car, a few tips: WalMart allows all-night parking, as do many 24-hour gyms. (Buying a membership to Planet Fitness or something like it also gives you a great place to stop, shower, and recharge while on the road).

3. Bring Food From Home

Don't go on a road trip expecting to subsist on fast food alone. You'll wind up feeling like shit, and it'll drain your pocketbook stunningly quickly. Instead, be sure to bring food from home. Consider buying a gas stove and a coffee pot for easy on-the-go meals, and make sure you bring substantial snacks to satiate midday or late night cravings so you can avoid getting those late night Mickey D's expeditions.

Try bringing your own cooler, filling it with easy stuff for breakfast and lunch — some bread and peanut butter and jelly will go a long way. Bring your own utensils, plates, and napkins, and avoid buying bottled water by packing some big water jugs and a reusable water bottle. Alternatively, try staying at hotels or Airbnbs with kitchens so you can cook there.

4. Avoid Tolls

Apps like Google Maps and Waze point out toll locations, so be sure to avoid those to save those pennies. (If it takes you too far off route, you might have to bite the bullet and drive across that expensive bridge).

You can also save on parking fees by using sites like Parkopedia.

Road Trip Road TripThe Orange Backpack


5. Save on Gas

Gas can get pricy incredibly fast, so be sure that you're stopping at cheap gas stations. Free apps like GasBuddy help you find the most affordable gas prices in the area. Also, try going the speed limit on the highways — anything faster will burn through your tank. Be sure that you don't wait till you arrive at touristy locations or big cities to fill up.

6. Get a National Park Pass

All those parks can get really expensive really fast. If you're planning on visiting three or more parks, it's a great idea to get an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. For $80 you can get into every National Park for one year.

From Your Site Articles
road trip