Ahh, that time of year when holiday lights twinkle and parties swing. As you dress in that sparkly dress or that ugly Holiday sweater, remember the co-worker who embarrassed themselves at the office party last year.

And vow not to be "that guy".

Avoid these party mistakes to make sure you are not the subject of gossip into January, and beyond.

#1: Not showing up.
The invitation may state a holiday office party is elective. However, blowing the party off is NOT an option. Your attendance or absence will be noted. Arrive as close to on time as possible, stay at least an hour, and mingle with several groups. Otherwise, somewhere deep in the recesses of your manager’s mind, there will always be a black X beside your name.

#2: Misunderstanding ‘party attire‘.
According to business etiquette expert Hilka Klinkenberg, the cardinal rule is to remember that no matter how festive the occasion, it’s still about business. In a nutshell, leave anything that is too tight, too low-cut, too short, or too sparkly in the closet for another day. Even if the party is in the evening and is deemed ’party attire‘, stick with more conservative choices. The last thing anyone wants is a photo circulating around the office showing too much cleavage or an unflattering suit.

#3: Becoming inebriated.
Yes, many office holiday parties include an open bar, but don’t try to drink all of it! Too much alcohol can cause you to say too much to the wrong person, be too loud, dance embarrassingly, and just makes you look sloppy and unprofessional in general. Limit your drinks to 2, and drink a soft drink or water in between each cocktail.

#4: Getting frisky with a co-worker.
Feeling the holiday spirit is fantastic. Feeling your boss’s fanny is not. Avoid a ton of headaches, embarrassment, and even termination by not being too friendly at the holiday party. Trying to kiss a person under the mistletoe (or in the coat room), or being too hand-sy on the dance floor will be looked upon very harshly by management, creating negative consequences for your career. It can also get you punched.

#5: Inappropriate social media posting.
Hopefully -if this article is followed- you will not be the person doing something inappropriate at your holiday party, but somebody else might. If you snap a picture of your boss dancing on the table, or a co-worker lifting her dress to do the limbo, keep it to yourself! While it may seem like a hilarious idea to post it on social media, it is guaranteed to infuriate the person in question, as well as management. Practice discretion in the types of items you post in relation to the holiday office party.

Avoid these 5 party mistakes to protect your reputation and your standing in the company, and to make sure you can show your face at the office on Monday.

Happy Holidays!