The work Christmas party is all about fun, of course. However, for a savvy business person, it’s also a good opportunity to make new friends in your company and expand your influence. Don’t focus on this too much, or it could comes across in the wrong way. But by making sure you make the right first impression, the Christmas party can be a good networking event as well.

The main rule to remember is to modify your behaviour. Whilst you should have fun and can let your hair down a bit, you must also remember that you are in the company of colleagues, not your group of friends outside of work. Always be mindful who you are talking to.

When you talk to new people, make a mental note of who they are and what they do. This could be a good opportunity to meet new people and network, so ask people questions about themselves rather than doing all of the talking.