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​The festive season is upon us, which means it’s time to party, cut loose and spend time with all the friends you’ve made at work throughout the year, right? Well, sort of.

Those who are truly wise will use it as a chance to strengthen relationships and uncover new opportunities – to have a great time with colleagues, influencers and contacts and set the tone for a fantastic year to come. So how do you get this right? Well, stick with us and have you on your way to clocking the Christmas party!

First off, you have got to dress to impress. Like any event when you’re trying to make a good impression, ensure your outfit is appropriate! It’s always better to look a little more corporate than incredibly underdressed.

Eat, drink and be merry, but within reason – it’s still a work function after all. You want to be remembered for your hard work, dedication and friendliness throughout the year, not about your antics at the Christmas party. Show your ‘fun’ side (in moderation) as opposed to the working one: there’s an opportunity for a shift in relationships as you see other sides of those you work with (and for) so use this to speak to people on a more personal level.

Speaking of friends, if a +1 is included, make sure you chose someone who can mingle easily as you don’t want to have to babysit them all night. If the guest list doesn’t allow for +1’s then make sure you adhere to this – no one likes uninvited guests at a formal event.

Once you’re into the swing of things, it’s time to start chatting to people you don’t normally get to talk to – decision makers, people from other departments and even other offices. Know who you want to meet (and don’t be afraid to ask for introductions but make sure to keep conversation light, it’s not the night for heavy and serious work talk. A friendly casual conversation at the Christmas party could lead to great things for your career in the New Year.

When you’re chatting, make sure you’re not the one doing all the talking! Remember its better to be a good listener than a big talker, especially if it’s about yourself or your work. You will always have a lot to learn from others in your industry, so give others the chance to share their knowledge and insights.

Remember, a party is an opportunity for people to meet each other. Offer introductions for your colleagues to your contacts from other departments – there is no I in PARTY, after all!

Finally, if you find you’re not feeling the Christmas party cheer when the day comes, remember that not attending could actually be detrimental to your career or reputation so, even if its token, do make an appearance for at least an hour. Who knows, you might have a ball, eat some great food and make some great contacts for the year to come!