Holiday Office Parties

It's that time of year again. When the higher ups want to do something nice for their employees but really just force you to spend even more time with your coworkers. Don't get me wrong, I am all for holiday office parties. I am very much looking forward to my own to be held next week. There are some tricky parts of them to keep in mind though while having some team bonding.

1. Alcohol. What is appropriate? Typically the rule of thumb is just not to get shwasted. It's alright to get your drink on, but don't get sloppy. Remember that you are still around your coworkers in a work environment and they will likely judge you professionally for it. This is a little trickier for my personal office party because my boss doesn't drink. Not sure how to handle that yet.
2. Are you obligated to go? Sometimes you really just don't want to attend. However, you may lose out on some imperative work place bonding. Unless you have already put in your 2 weeks notice, you should at least make an appearance. What do you have to lose other than an hour of your life?
3. Conversation. Talking about work is almost inevitable, that is the one thing you all have in common. However, the party was organized for enjoyment, not for work. Find some other common ground with your coworkers. No need to bring the stress of the office with you into the holidays.
4. Inter-Office Hook Ups. This is the time of year and occasion where people think it's ok to ignore the fact they work with a person and hook up anyway. If that might be you please steer clear of the mistletoe and don't drink too much. I am the only female that works in my office, I'm very grateful that no one is even close to eligible for me.

On that note, enjoy your first Holiday Office Parties Post Grads!!!!

Grown Up Parties

By Shikole Struber

Have you ever noticed that if the host of a party provides food the party seems classier? Even if it's just chips and dip, or cheese and crackers, you tend to think more highly of the host and treat the party as a classier affair than one without food. 

In post grad world this principle is key. No longer do we cater our parties to getting completely smashed until all hours of the morning. Instead we give the excuse of food. BBQ, dinner party, pot luck. Don't get me wrong, these parties still have plenty of alcohol involved, but the food seems to make it more "Grown Up."

Instead of starting at 10pm, post grads start their parties at 7pm. Instead of a bowl of alcoholic Jell-O, there's a big bowl of potato salad. Instead of 30 racks of Natty Light, we now serve cheap wine or a slightly better cheap beer, like Blue Moon, my personal favorite.