Bah humbug
The Christmas party is not something everyone looks forward, because not everyone enjoys socialising with their work colleagues. Some people just don’t like Christmas, a feeling aggravated by seeing mince pies and advent calendars in the shops in September!

‘I’m not a Christmas fan, but I show my face just so I’m not labelled the office scrooge.’ John, 28, Knutsford.

The options
A variety of social events are on offer: an after work midweek meal possibly followed by a disco, lunchtime outing, the weekend ‘do’ for the party animals and sometimes all three.

‘One of the best Christmas parties I have attended was one I gatecrashed. I was Christmas shopping in Edinburgh with some friends and the party was at our hotel.’ Jackie, 25, Poole.

‘I’ve enjoyed most of the Christmas parties I’ve been to and nothing really embarrassing has happened yet.’ Carl, 22, Belfast.

‘Our party is usually held on a Saturday evening so that everyone has had a chance to go home and get changed. Working in a clothes shop and being girls we spend ages discussing what we are going to wear.’ Jane, 23, Oldham.

The ‘office’ party
The Christmas party that takes place in the confines of the office brings back memories (for me) of playing crazy golf and musical chairs in the boardroom… After a few glasses of mulled wine and mince pies, party games are the norm and probably provide the only occasion where you can push your boss off a chair without getting sacked.

‘I kissed my husband for the first time at our office Christmas party.’ Clare, 28, Manchester.

A not so merry new year
However you celebrate Christmas with people from work, remember that once the party’s over you have to go back to work. So don’t drink a bottle of wine and tell the director what you really think of them, photocopy any part of your body or bring a branch of mistletoe in the hope of catching the office ‘hottie’ under it, because you might just regret it in the morning.  

No matter where you are during December, it’s hard to escape people out on their Christmas parties. So, follow Jackie’s example: if you can’t beat them, join them, just don’t tell them you weren’t invited.  

Merry Christmas.

Lucy
December 2006/January 2007

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