Pre-party planning is essential to ensure a successful and appropriate company Christmas party. Remind employees that the party is an extension of the office and they should act professionally. Have plans in place to deal with inappropriate behavior and limit any damage to the company's reputation from social media posts or discussions not suited for the workplace. Ensure all staff get home safely without drinking and driving.

2. Your SME survival guide

3. Christmas parties can be great fun

4. They reward staff for their hard
work throughout the year

5. Encourage employees to get to
know each other better

6. And build loyalty at your company

7. BUT sometimes the often
alcohol-fuelled festivities can
have disastrous results

8. So, follow this SME survival guide
and have a very merry Christmas

9. Pre-party planning is essential to the
success of your celebration.

10. Remind staff that the party is an
extension of the office and they are
to act appropriately

11. Enforce a dress code so that
everyone knows what is expected of
them

12. If employees need to work the next
day make sure they know in advance
the consequences of not turning up

13. Show sensitivity to those who do
not wish to celebrate

14. Make attendance optional so staff
with other cultural or religious beliefs
don’t feel pressured into going

15. Try alternative party themes
so no one feels excluded

16. Have plans in place for inappropriate
behaviour

17. Alcohol-fuelled incidents are common
reasons for disciplinary action post
Christmas party, so plan ahead!

18. Watch out for potential troublemakers
and get them home safely before they
do something they’ll regret

19. Limit damage to brand reputation
with social media restrictions

20. Employees will be tempted to share
the office party antics online, but this
can be damaging.

21. Ensure you have a social media policy
in place which outlines what is and
isn’t acceptable

22. Always lead by example

23. Christmas is a great time to socialise
with staff but don’t do anything you
wouldn’t want them to do.

24. Keep Christmas party games clean

25. Party games are great for
teambuilding but they need to be
done in a tasteful manner

26. Staff may want to share through
Secret Santa but remind employees
to keep it appropriate

27. Mistletoe has a time and a place – but
it’s not the Christmas party, so make
sure it’s left at home!

28. Avoid conversations better suited to
the office

29. It’s easy to let the wine do the
talking but salary and confidential
information are off limits

30. Ensure all members of staff get home
safely and don’t drink and drive

31. Make sure all attendees have a local
taxi number or access to public
transport

32. Or, if you can, organise transport or
accommodation for your staff

33. Remember to relax and enjoy
yourself

34. Whilst careful planning and effective
execution are important so is having
fun!

35. With the right mix you can host a
great event that will keep staff
excited for the next one all year!