Making the most of your office Christmas party

The office party comes just once a year – and with it the chance to drunkenly insult your boss, row with colleagues and flirt with enough people to keep the rumour mill turning until August.

A couple of drinks at Christmas smoothes over individual differences and puts everyone in the mood to celebrate. The problems start when too much alcohol leads to that dreaded 'what on earth was I doing last night?' feeling.

But not all office parties have to end with a grinding hangover and weird looks from your colleagues the next day. Simple tips such as being smart about soft drinks, drinking at your own pace and keeping track of how much you've had all help make Christmas events a lot more manageable and memorable.

Party pressures

36-year-old Roger is the manager of a West Sussex computer company. In the past he's dreaded having to organise his firm's annual bash.

"Some of my co-directors have been in business since the seventies when all-day drinking was considered the point of any Christmas party," he says. "They used to order constant rounds and everyone else had to keep up. By about seven o' clock we all felt completely trashed."

After one too many hungover phone calls to restaurants apologising for last night's behaviour (and trying to locate lost coats and handbags) Roger decided to ring the changes.

"These days I try and make sure that there's plenty of mineral water available on the tables for everyone and that people don't feel pressured to order alcohol," he says.

"Most staff still enjoy a drink, but it does help calm everything down."

Alcohol-free options

The good news is that soft drinks are no longer seen as an unsophisticated option. With upmarket organic lemonade and cola, plus a wide range of alcohol-free cocktails increasingly available, taking a breather from the wine, beer or spirits does not have to be boring.

Alternating alcohol with softer options helps you make the most of the night ahead. Non-alcoholic drinks keep you hydrated and ensure that you're still partying when others have long since flaked out.

"One of the things I've realised is that pacing yourself is important." says Roger. "If you slow down with the wine you get to enjoy a proper chat with people you might not have really spoken to all year."

Stay in control

While it may feel painful if the firm's taking care of the tab, opting out of rounds is a great way to stay in control of your drinking. You won't have to keep up with the fastest drinker and you can actually savour every drink, not just knock it back.

Best of all, by managing your drinking you can enjoy yourself, and watch out for other people, without the danger of saying or doing anything you might regret later. Bad news for the office gossips – but great if you are looking to further your career.

Tips for an office Christmas party to remember

Eat before the party - You’re on a road to nowhere if you decide to swap dinner for a couple of drinks as it gives the alcohol a head-start on your system. To slow down the effects eat a meal (preferably with carbohydrates like pasta or bread) and grab some nibbles once the party starts.     

Find out how much is too much - Government guidelines recommend men stick to three to four units of alcohol (that's two pints of beer or four single vodkas) per day, while for women it's two to three units (one 175ml glass of wine or three single vodkas). Watch out for over-generous party measures that mean you end up drinking more than you'd really like.

To find out how many units in your favourite drinks, try the Drinkaware unit calculator.

Plan your journey home - Don't leave yourself vulnerable on the way back from the party. Either organise a lift from a non-drinking friend, or split a taxi with work colleagues that takes you straight to your door.

Don't bother with hair of the dog - Trying to drown out your hangover with more alcohol will just make you feel rougher in the long run. Instead, drink plenty of water to get rid of your headache and treat your liver to two alcohol-free days.

We have brought these tips to life with the video below. Hopefully your party will prove as memorable as Alex's.

Page last updated by

Unknown, 10 May 2012.

Page checked on

01 Dec 2008