Holiday Party Do’s and Don’ts

Ah yes, it’s that wonderful time of year when you drink too much at the office holiday party or bust out of your favorite dress after too many “pigs in a blanket.” To prevent acting like a spaz in front of your family, friends and complete strangers at holiday gatherings, take a gander at this list of Do’s and Don’ts compiled by a former party Don’t-er. Live and learn, right?

Do: Shake hands, look people in the eye, cover your mouth when you cough, and all that proper stuff your grandmother taught you.
Don’t: Get so intoxicated you lose the ability to break eye contact when the conversation turns awkward.

Do: Dress for the occasion.
Don’t: Be the guy in the tacky Christmas sweater when the invitation calls for black and white attire only.

Do: Throw the diet out the window and enjoy tasty holiday cuisine.
Don’t: Eat so much you go into a food coma and take a nap on the host’s queen size bed, no matter how high the thread count.

Do: Get to know your coworkers better.
Don’t: Challenge your boss to an eggnog chug-off.

Do: Throw (some) inhibition to the wind and finally approach the sexy single you’ve been eying.
Don’t: Hit on your date’s Aunt Matilda, even if she does invite the attention à la Kathleen Cleary in Wedding Crashers. Whatever you do, don’t call her kitty cat.

Do: Dance the night away to your favorite holiday tunes.
Don’t: Bust out the fist pump, booty pop or M.C. Hammer to “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”

Do: Bring a simple gift for the hostess.
Don’t: Shake boxes under someone else’s tree to figure out who is getting what.

Do: Make a new friend or build a new relationship.
Don’t: Prepare for the party by Googling and Facebooking the guest list

Do: Get creative with your White Elephant Christmas gift.
Don’t: Act like a child when you get stuck with the lame present.

Do: Thank the host and hostess with a bright smile and a “Happy Holidays.”
Don’t: Tell the hostess she has water spots on her wine glasses.

Photo Wedding Crashers