Balancing fun and professionalism at the Christmas office party

Ten tips to ensure you make a great impression

Are you planning to attend your Christmas office party? I hope so. It’s a great occasion to relax and have a good time and can be a highly anticipated, positive antidote to year-end stress. But anytime you combine fun with professionalism, it can also be a challenge.

Here are 10 tips to ensure you make a great impression while you mix and mingle at the office party.

1) Prepare your “party intro”

The way you greet your fellow party-goers can have a huge impact on their perception of you. The best party introductions combine business information with a personal twist. An example would be: “Hi, I’m Stacy/Steven from Marketing. I’ve been with XYZ for just a few months, and this is the first social event I’ve attended. It’s so nice to meet co-workers face-to-face.”

2) Pick your spot

Station yourself near the end of the bar so that, as people exit with a drink in hand, you can start a conversation with something as simple as “Hi, is the red wine good?” Another favourite place to stand is at the end of the buffet line so that right after people fill their plates, you can invite them to join you in finding a place to sit. You can easily see from people’s body language which folks are searching for a place to go (or scanning the room for a friendly face) and would welcome the invitation.

3) Look approachable

Some non-verbal behaviours can bring out the best in people. Smiling is one of them, as it directly influences how other people respond. When you smile at someone, they almost always smile in return. And because facial expressions trigger corresponding feelings, the smile you get back actually changes that person’s emotional state in a positive way.

You probably knew that. But did you also know that slow-onset smiles lead to even more positive reactions? So instead of approaching people with a grin, begin with a slight smile and let it grow organically.

And don’t close off. If you want people to see you as comfortable and approachable, don’t cross your arms and legs or use objects (your drink or plate of food) as a barrier. Doing so makes you look guarded or insecure. Instead, hold your glass or plate to the side of your body so the core of your body is exposed.

Above all, resist the urge to check your email or texts. Instead, give other party-goers your full attention. (This is a great time to improve your eye contact by making a practice of noticing the eye colour of everyone you speak with at the event.)

4) Take a stand

To project a poised and professional look, it is important to stand tall. Slumping by rounding your shoulders and collapsing into your chest makes you look vulnerable and submissive. When you stand tall, with your shoulders pulled back, your feet about hip-distance apart and your head held high, you assume a posture of confidence and self-esteem.

5) Limit your alcohol

There are many reasons why you should watch your drinking at an office party. (And I’m sure many career-limiting examples of colleagues who didn’t!) But one reason that might not be as obvious as others is that alcohol impairs your ability to read body language. Brain imaging research found that alcohol reduces the “coupling” between the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex—a part of the prefrontal cortex—and inhibits the ability to assess and properly respond to non-verbal cues. So if you want to accurately gauge how people are reacting to you and how to respond effectively, it’s advisable to stay sober.

6) Dress for success

Clothes make a visual statement about how you see yourself. A study examining the impact of colours on other people’s perceptions found that if you wear blue, you appear to be calm, wise and stable. Wearing orange or yellow makes you look positive and upbeat. And red denotes passion, attention and sexiness.

Your appearance is part of your personal brand. Think about the impression you want to make and dress to accentuate it. You might even choose to add a “conversation opener”—a colourful scarf or unique piece of jewellery. In general, stylish and fun is fine, but flashy or too revealing sends a message all its own.

7) Reach out and touch someone

Usually considered the most primitive and essential form of communication, we are programmed to feel closer to someone who has touched us. In fact, touch is so potent and effective that a study on handshakes (by the Income Centre for Trade Shows) showed that people are two times more likely to remember you if you shake hands with them. The trade-show researchers also found that people react to those with whom they shake hands by being more open and friendly.

Christmas office parties offer lots of opportunities for handshakes and even hugs among colleagues, but be aware that not everyone likes to be embraced or thinks it is an appropriate greeting in a business setting. If you are one of those, subtly angle your left shoulder away and quickly offer your right hand for a shake.

8) Get up close—but not too personal

Anthropologist Edward Hall coined the word “proxemics” to describe phenomena like territoriality among business colleagues. And it was he who first noted the physical zones in which people feel most comfortable dealing with one another.

At an office party, there’s nothing wrong with leaning slightly toward the person you’re talking to; in fact, this body language cue indicates you’re engaged and interested. But be respectful of other people’s space. If you’re at a business function in the U.S. (even if that function is a party), never get closer than 18 inches. If you get any closer, you risk entering the “intimate zone” usually reserved for family and loved ones. Few people will feel comfortable if you invade this personal space uninvited. (Another reason why some people may not like hugs.)

9) Buddy up

Gayle Hallgren-Rezac and Judy Thomson, co-authors, WORK THE POND! Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life, advise that you work the room in pairs. The role of each “tag teammate” is to keep an eye on the other person, make introductions and ensure that both of you are comfortably engaged in conversations.

10) Show your gratitude

Another tip from these master networkers is to seek out the person hosting the party. (This is probably an executive or senior leader.) Thank them for sponsoring the event. You don’t have to go overboard with praise, but acknowledge that you appreciate the chance to connect with some new people you wouldn’t have met otherwise. If this senior person is open to continuing the conversation, mention something positive that your team is doing. (Think of one or two examples ahead of time.) Of course, this is also a perfect time to thank all your co-workers who have been helpful or supportive in the past year.

You should definitely attend your Christmas office party. Don’t pass up the opportunity to have fun while expanding your network, building your personal brand and making a great impression!

Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman is an expert in nonverbal communication, body language, and leadership presence. She is a speaker, author, and executive coach who works with business leaders and organizations to improve their communication and leadership skills. Goman has written several books, including STAND OUT: How to Build Your Leadership Presence, which explores how nonverbal cues impact leadership effectiveness. With a background in psychology, she combines research in neuroscience with practical insights to help leaders understand the power of body language in building trust, influencing others, and fostering collaboration.