Tips for your Work Holiday Party

We've all done a few things in our personal lives that we might regret later. This is especially true at parties where we might be drinking and flirting with that guy or girl we just met, and maybe hooking up.

But when it comes to work parties, there's a special kind of embarrassment that can follow you around if you decide to let your personal inclinations run wild. Your behavior might result in a little office gossip, but it could also affect your chances for a promotion or your career trajectory, especially if there are clients or bosses present who could really make things difficult for you in the long run.

With that in mind, following are a few things you can do to have a good time at your office holiday party, but still keep your reputation in tact.

Don't drink too much. This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people don't realize how much they've been drinking because they get nervous, especially at social functions with work colleagues. So limit yourself even more than you would normally - to only one or two drinks, or don't drink at all. You'd rather be alert if your boss approaches you to talk about things, work-related or not. Also, you can make better decisions about how to behave when your head is clear.

Think about your office environment. Some workplaces are more laid-back than others (like an Internet start-up versus a government office). Just be aware of how you usually interact with your work colleagues, and keep the interaction at a party similar. In other words, don't approach that woman you've never talked to before and start asking her personal questions. And if your office is more formal, then don't assume a party will make everyone less tight-lipped. Just follow typical protocol. Keep it light and respectful.

Rethink using social media. If you want a normal group shot of your co-workers at the party and they agree to it that's fine, but don't take an embarrassing snapshot of a colleague and post it to Twitter or Facebook. This is not funny and makes you look bad.

Don't hook up at the party. If someone sees you making out with Joe from shipping while you're by the punch bowl, it will be the subject of office gossip come the next morning. Keep your attractions to yourself. If you want to go out with a work colleague, do it after you leave the party. (As long as it's not against company policy and it's not your boss!)

Thank your boss and/or the party host. It's good to show your appreciation and good manners. Your boss will remember, so make the rounds and initiate a conversation. Thank him or her for the party.

Have fun!