The annual work’s Christmas party is traditionally a time to relax and enjoy some much-needed downtime with colleagues – but if you aren’t careful a little too much festive fun can be a career killer. Here’s our top 10 tips for getting through the festive season with your career prospects in tact:

Bad Santa – most workplaces do secret Santa and for the most part, it’s a wonderful way to spread good cheer between colleagues. Make sure your gift is appropriate for the person you are buying for, and if you are going to buy a ‘joke’ present be absolutely certain they will see the funny side.

Money, money, money – there is a time and a place to discuss salary and promotion opportunities. Collaring senior management during the works’ Christmas party is not it, so make sure you leave those discussions for another day.

Blue Christmas – it’s also not an appropriate time to air grievances and grudges you’ve been harbouring all year. Arguing with your work mates, or worse still, telling your manager exactly what you think of them will not go down well. For most companies, the Christmas party is regarded as work time, so there could be disciplinary consequences too.

Goodwill to all men – the manners and courtesies you extend to your colleagues should mirror the way you treat others outside of the workplace. Being short with bar or waiting staff, or being rude to taxi drivers is a big no-no and something that people will remember about you.

Bar humbug – boss generously offered to pick up the drinks tab? Lucky you! But don’t abuse their goodwill by ordering the most expensive thing at the bar. Strutting around, swigging from a bottle of champagne will put you on your boss’ radar but not in a good way.

Forget me not – if you are the kind of person who forgets things after a few drinks, don’t commit to anything you might not remember in the morning. It’s also worth ensuring at least one colleague knows your home address in case you are unable to tell the taxi driver where you live.

In the mood for dancing – great news, there’s a dance floor! Slut drops, twerking or your ‘hilarious’ David Brent moves should probably be reserved for nights out with your mates though.

All I want for Christmas is you – after a few drinks, it may seem like the opportune moment to let that secret crush at work know that you like them. However, arriving to work the following day in the same clothes that you left the party in will not present you in the best light and it could cause others to question your professionalism and your judgement.

Media blackout – when you are out with work colleagues at your Christmas party, you are still representing the company and its brand. Putting pictures of your antics online for the world to see could reflect negatively on the company, so why not give social media the night off.

Sick note – know your limits! You certainly don’t want to be the talk of the office as the one that threw up on the boss’ shoes.

So ‘tis the season to be jolly, but remember that the work’s Christmas party is still work. Make sure your colleagues remember you for all the right reasons next year come the time for new projects, promotions and salary reviews.