‘Tis the season to be getting tipsy at 2 pm, watching your boss dance around the photocopier with tinsel on their head, and receiving something you definitely didn’t ask for from the office Secret Santa.

Whether you’re listening to Bublé in a conference room or going out for cocktails with your coworkers, workplace Christmas parties are something many of us will be attending in this final month of the year.

Whilst infection rates are currently much lower than they were this time last year, COVID-19 does still pose a risk to those getting together to enjoy the festive season.

Here is some guidance on how to stay safe, reduce the risk of transmission, and still enjoy Christmas get-togethers as 2021 comes to a close.

Go with the flow

No kissing under the mistletoe

Perhaps you’ve had your eye on a fellow employee for months and had planned to make moves at the office party, or just like to greet people you like with a big ol’ bear hug, but this is the year to keep your greetings subdued. Christmas may be a time of love and joy, but keeping physical interaction to a minimum will ensure that everyone feels comfortable and there are fewer chances for the virus to be transmitted between people.

Keeping your distance can be hard when you’ve had a few drinks, so make sure that everyone knows in advance that a wave or verbal greeting is the preferred way to say hello or goodbye at the party.

Mask-querade

Your Christmas party might not be fancy dress, but it could be worth enforcing your own ‘mask-querade’ theme. With the latest guidelines, wearing masks in hospitality venues is still not compulsory but asking people to wear one at your Christmas party is an extra precaution to reduce the potential of transmission.

And if you’ve been spending the last month planning the perfect outfit, don’t worry as a mask can act as an extra accessory to showcase your style, with lots of mask options now featuring sequins, glitter, sparkly Swarovski crystals or metallic shine.

Also, if you are travelling to a Christmas party venue from your office via public transport, then you’ll need to make sure that everyone in the team has a mask as this is now compulsory, along with mask-wearing in shops.

Stick with your work Bublé

Ordinarily, Christmas parties are a good way to be sociable and for different departments to mix and mingle. But this could be a good year to abstain from putting a face to the name and instead keep your Christmas gatherings exclusive to the coworkers you share a workspace with.

There is no additional risk to mixing with people you see regularly in the office, as you’ll be keeping any bugs or viruses you pick up within your existing work ‘bubble’. However, introducing yourself to the new guy from Accounts who works on a different floor could introduce infection into new departments, and is best avoided for another time.

Avoid the sausage rolls and vol-au-vents

Whilst a spread of festive party food and piles of paper plates are key components of many office Christmas celebrations, foregoing the buffet is a smart idea if you’re trying to avoid sharing germs with your colleagues.

Buffet-style dining may be the easiest option when you’re feeding large groups of people, but it’s also a high-risk option because of the likelihood of touching or breathing over other people’s food. Sit-down meals in restaurants not only promise higher standards of food hygiene but also ensure that one person’s germs won’t get spread around the entire office from the bowl of roasted peanuts.

Book the last train home

When you’re full of festive cheer and surrounded by friends, keeping the night going and the drinks flowing always seems like a great idea. However, bars and nightclubs are likely to be hotspots for infection as people tend to have lower inhibitions at that point of the night. Therefore, you might unknowingly bring the virus, along with a few embarrassing stories, into the office the following Monday morning.

Booking your transport home in advance will ensure that you stick to your original plans for the office party and don’t get swept up in the excitement. It might feel like the boring option, but it’s the smartest decision when it comes to staying safe.

What can we expect from Christmas parties this year?

Dr. Hana Abu-Hassan from Chelsea Pharmacy Medical Clinic said: ”Although the current government advice is that there is no need to cancel Christmas parties, people and venues have to be cautious. During your Christmas party, avoid activities that limit social distancing and engaging people in singing or shouting as such activities can increase the risk of transmission. Consider having the music levels low to avoid getting people to shout over the surrounding sounds, thus bringing down transmission potential”.

“However, if anyone feels uncomfortable, virtual Christmas parties are an option. Choose some festive team-building activities that can be done over Zoom, like building gingerbread houses and making Christmas tree ornaments. But if your Christmas party still goes ahead, it is important that people take necessary precautions in order to protect themselves and others during the festive period. Do a lateral flow prior to attending, wear a face mask when possible, and avoid physical contact.”