Many readers are too young to remember it, but once upon a time, like in the 80s and the 90s, office Christmas parties were actually fun.  You could drink to your heart’s content, make some off-color remarks during the Secret Santa game, and even use the event to chat up that saleswoman you’d had your eye on.

Now, however, office Christmas parties are barely really parties: Cost cutting has reduced the treats, everyone is expected to be on their best behavior, and – no matter how much you don’t want to be there – you still have to show up or it’s considered a reason for a demerit.

You can’t even call it a Christmas party anymore –now it’s a Holiday party, and though the rules are much stricter than they used to be, some employees still get way out of hand at the events.

A new survey of 3,000 business managers across North Carolina, asked those managers a lot of questions about the yearend office parties. The survey was conducted by resume.io, which said the party can be the “highlight of the work calendar, offering a chance to connect with colleagues in a festive atmosphere.”

But the HR company added this caveat: “However, these events can also be fraught with professional hazards, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by career experts at Resume.io., he poll of 3,000 managers across North Carolina sheds light on the most common and memorable holiday party blunders, with overindulging in alcohol emerging as the number one mistake.”

The survey identified the 15 most significant missteps that state managers have witnessed at office holiday parties. Leading the list is excessive drinking –  a classic faux pas that can lead to slurred speeches, awkward confessions, or even physical mishaps like stumbling into the Christmas tree.

You certainly knew drinking too much was a big one, but, here, in order, without further ado, are the “Top 15 Holiday Party Mistakes” according to the managers from across the state…

  • Drinking Too Much Booze. No surprise here of course.
  • Inappropriate Dancing – The managers suggest keeping it light and fun since no one wants to become a viral TikTok sensation for all the wrong reasons.
  • Flirting with Co-Workers – Once a cherished practice at Christmas parties, but no more: Professional boundaries should remain intact, even under the influence of holiday cheer.
  • Bringing an Uninvited Plus-One – Respecting the invitation’s parameters is key to maintaining harmony.
  • Oversharing Personal Gossip – The office party is no place for a confessional, managers from across North Carolina say.
  • Not Showing Up – Absences can be perceived as a display of a lack of team spirit.
  • Unfiltered Opinions – Criticizing the company or colleagues can have long-term repercussions. Very long term.
  • Disrupting the Speech – Heckling or loud comments can cause people to see you as the office Grinch.
  • Gift-Giving Fails – Thoughtless or inappropriate gifts are memorable for all the wrong reasons.
  • Social Media Missteps – Posting unflattering photos or videos can damage reputations.
  • Bringing Leftovers Home – It’s a festive buffet; it’s not meant to be a takeout counter.
  • Aggressive Networking – Save your career pitches for formal settings.
  • Wardrobe Malfunctions – “Festive but appropriate” party attire is what’s called for.
  • Cliquey Behavior – Mingling with various colleagues fosters inclusivity.
  • Winning Ugly – Gloating about victories in games or raffles will of course dampen the mood.

Another subject explored in the survey was  “Themes and Their Impact.”

That is, the survey explored how different party themes influence behavior. Events with open bars were deemed the most likely to lead to trouble, with 72 percent of North Carolina managers surveyed citing an open bar as a leading cause of problems.

 In contrast, themed parties like ugly sweater contests (9 percent) or karaoke nights (9 percent) tend to inspire less chaos.

The survey also explored “Conversational Minefields,” since office holiday parties can also lead to some very awkward conversations.

Managers reported overhearing the following uncomfortable topics the most often:

  • Inappropriate personal stories (36 percent)
  • Politics or religion (23 percent)
  • Office gossip (21 percent)
  • Complaints about the company (20 percent)

Thankfully, the survey also looked at “How to Recover from a Party Blunder.”  Because, you know, mistakes happen.  The survey offered insights into damage control. The most effective ways to bounce back include the following:

  • Apologizing to affected parties (59 percent)
  • Using humor to diffuse tension (20 percent)
  • Pretending it didn’t happen (13 percent)
  • Volunteering to plan the next party (8 percent)

According to the managers surveyed, there were some positive steps that could be taken to create a politically correct and universally acceptable party.  When questioned, many managers recalled positive activities that strengthened team bonds, including:

  • Group games or competitions (35 percent)
  • Karaoke performances (26 percent)
  • A lively dance floor (23 percent) (But leave room for Jesus.)
  • Speeches or awards (17 percent)

Finally, the managers tell you how to avoid “career-ending mistakes” and enjoy Christmas parties without jeopardizing your professional reputation, the survey recommends:

  • Limiting yourself to one or two drinks (38 percent)
  • Focusing on enjoying the event without overthinking (34 percent)
  • Avoiding controversial topics (29 percent) (like who should be president)

Amanda Augustine, a career expert at Resume.io, advised in the wake of the extensive survey, “Holiday parties are a great time to unwind with coworkers, but keep in mind that people will remember how you acted. You can have a good time while still maintaining your professional reputation—it’s all about finding the right balance.”

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