The study of over 1,000 people from across the UK found that although a minority of people (5%) thought innappropriate office party behaviour should be encouraged, over half said it was potentially career damaging and should be avoided at all costs.

Innappropriate behaviour cited as being the worst included, being sick in front of your boss (47%), telling the boss what you really think of him (46%) and becoming drunk and emotional (40%), with some old favourites such as drunkenly resigning (37%) and photocopying a part of your anatomy (30%) also ranking highly.

Furthermore, results revealed that men cite telling your boss what you really think of him/her as the worst party faux pas whereas women rank being sick in front of your boss as the most potentially career damaging behaviour.

However, although it is universally agreed that innappropriate office party behaviour is damaging there is a difference of opinion across the UK. Workers in Northern Ireland are most anti bad party behaviour with 64% saying it is career damaging, 57% of Scottish workers agreed as did 55% of North Easterners however, Welsh workers said that although bad office party ettiquete should not be encouraged 39% said it was just harmless fun.

Louise English, Marketing Director from Singles365.com commented: “We put this research together to really find out what workers worries and fears were approaching the party season and the results clearly show what the hazards can be at a Christmas party. As expected being too drunk and emotional is high on the list however, it was interesting to see that people generally were worried about telling the boss what they really think!”

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With the price of gold is at an all-time high, record numbers of Brits are selling unwanted bits of earrings and broken necklances at Ounces to Pounds (www.ounces2pounds.com) gold parties across the country.

Currently more than 150 are hosted each month, with Britons have been selling over £75,000 a week of their ’old gold’ at gold parties at private residences across Britain organised by Ounces to Pounds Ltd. The difference being, they come home with money rather than spending it. The increase in volume is attributed to the “rush for cash at Christmas” according to Krista Waddell.

“We have seen a significant up curve in the volume of parties being hosted as we get closer to Christmas,” says Krista, “infact a 30% increase in the last month.”

Ounces to Pounds have purchased over £1.2m worth of Brit’s junk jewellery since launching in March 2009. They anticipate there is still over £2bn worth of junk jewellery lost in people’s households waiting to be exchanged for cash.

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Top 10 tips for pulling at Christmas Parties from Love Systems Instructor Jeremy Soul

1. Get involved as much as possible

The more you’re an integral part of the event, the more you’ll get a chance to meet and be seen talking to a lot of people, which elevates your social status at the party and makes you someone women would want to talk to.

2. Don’t leer at all the single ladies

Most single guys are on the prowl and checking out the possible “options” as soon as they walk in. Don’t be most guys – that’s a surefire way to ruin your pulling chances.

3. Don’t get drunk

Most men feel the need to have a few drinks before they start talking to women – especially ones they find really attractive. One or two drinks aren’t too bad, but once that snowballs into being drunk by the end of the night, it’s a real turn-off for women.

4. Introduce yourself to everyone early on

At parties, you have an automatic excuse to talk to people. It’s not like being at a random bar or nightclub where it requires some kind of creative or ballsy opening line to go talk to a stranger.

All you need to say is, “Hi, I’m Jeremy,” shake their hand and ask them what they’re up to over Christmas. You want to do this early on in the evening, you have a ton of people you’ve already talked with and can re-initiate contact with.

5. Introduce groups of friends to each other

As things progress throughout the night, introduce groups of people you know to each other. Being seen as a social connector and someone who knows everyone at the party will build huge amounts of attraction with the women there.

Introducing your friends to the friends of a woman you like can also be useful because it can allow you to have a more private conversation with her while your friends engage her friends.

6. Re-initiate contact with the women you like

Keep being the social guy, talking to lots of different people, but at some point re-engage the woman you find the most attractive. At this point, you’ve already talked with her, it’s natural to re-initiate conversation by asking her something simple like, “how are you enjoying the party?”

7. Connect with her emotionally

Get more personal with her, find out who she is and what makes her tick, and let her know more about yourself. The key to attraction with women is showing yourself to be an interesting person (by talking about things that are important to you and you are passionate about) and to be interested in who she is as a person.

8. Take her somewhere more private

A woman might become attracted to you when she has a good conversation with you, but she’s unlikely to act on that by kissing you or otherwise blatantly flirting with you in front of her friends and family.

So come up with an excuse to move her somewhere away from other people. It can as simple as, “Do you fancy going out for some air?” or “Hey, want to grab a drink at the bar?” Anything that gets you some more alone time with her.

9. Suggest staying in touch

You may want to spend more time with the woman you’ve been talking to immediately, maybe even try to take her home that night.

However, this won’t always be possible depending on who she came with, whether she has to get up early the next morning, which friends she is there with etc. There’s also the chance that for whatever reason, you’ll lose her at some point in the crowd.

So it’s a good idea after talking with her for a while to suggest exchanging contact details and staying in touch. That way, if she does disappear at some point, at least you have a phone number to follow up on.

10. Manage logistics

If you are going for the full pull that evening, you need to focus on getting her away from people that might judge her for going home with you. Discretion is paramount. Don’t make any obvious moves on her physically when anyone else is around.

Either find a secluded room somewhere, or ask her if she wants to come back to your place. If you go for the latter, make sure you both have a discreet way of getting away from the party without people knowing that you’re going home together, e.g. offering to give her a lift home.

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They report it is because so many events were cancelled last year and now that the economy is showing signs of recovery, companies are taking the plunge and want to reward, say thank you and spread good will to those who worked so hard to help them survive the recession. There is of course also the fact that while many companies and financial institutions had the finances to have events last year, it was not right to be seen to do so.

The trend is towards escapism; Christmas party theming and ideas that are being talked about include, Winter Wonderland, Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One client of Themetraders, a leading club has doubled its Christmas party budget and is theming their party Fire and Ice, a very close theme to Heaven and Hell and very reflective of recent times.

www.themetraders.com

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The Chocolate Bar

Midweek, you can hire this wonderful chic and unique Grade II listed hotel with its 13 chocolate themed rooms that sleep up to 25 people for as little as £1000 per night (for accommodation only), making it the perfect place to party to your heart’s content.

Whether you want to hold a fun and festive Christmas do for colleagues or simply bring together friends and family in a cosy, intimate setting, the Chocolate Boutique Hotel is a chocolate lover’s dream come true.

Here you can sip decadent chocolate Martinis in the Chocolate Bar, dip fresh strawberries into cascading chocolate fountains and make delicious Belgian chocolate truffles by hand.

You can even immortalise yourself in chocolate in a chocolate portrait painting session, using melted milk, dark and white chocolate.

There are chocolate, wine and spirit matching master classes inspired by the famous chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud, who has created a luxurious range of chocolates designed to be eaten with wines as well as whisky and spiced rum.

Even the 13 chic bedrooms in this wonderful Grade 11 listed family-owned hotel are chocolate themed, from the Maya to the Montezuma.

And after a night of chocolate indulgence you can blow the cobwebs away with a leisurely stroll in the beautiful winter sun along Bournemouth’s seven miles of gloriously sandy beaches.

Whether you’re looking for a unique place to hold a Christmas do, party with friends and family or are simply looking for a chic hotel that is a little out of the ordinary, the Chocolate Boutique Hotel is the place to go.

To find out more, go to www.thechocolateboutiquehotel.co.uk

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From violet berries to rich plums, purple is this season’s new red. To celebrate this purple reign of colour, Clinique has introduced the New Black Tie Violets 2009 colour collection. This sweetly feminine, yet bold line features a range of girly violet tones that mirror the festivity and allure of the season.

A full-face party look draws inspiration from Clinique’s best-selling Different Lipstick in A Different Grape and for an extra touch of glamour, key items are elegantly housed in luxurious, silver packaging.

Shimmering Stripes Blusher leaves a pearly, luminous look in rich plum shades. For application, the limited edition Powder Brush made of natural hair is available with a festive, shimmery, metallic handle especially for Christmas. The large dome allows for easy application of powder for smooth, even delivery. As with all Clinique brushes it utilises a unique anti-bacterial technology that protects the brush to ensure a high level of hygiene. It’s the perfect beauty tool to help make the festive season glow.

Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad creates looks ranging from subtle and soft to a sexy and sophisticated smokey eye. Clinique eyeshadows build quickly and blend easily offering effortless sheen and luminosity. The perfect eye makeup can be finished with Brush-On Cream Liner an ultra smooth, creamy gel liner that provides the precision of a liquid liner enabling it to be laid on thick or thin, subtle or dramatic. Either way, this fast-drying, non-smudging, waterproof eye liner delivers a precise line every time.

Lips are treated to the must-have party lip gloss with Full Potential Lips Plump & Shine. A multi-purpose, high-shine lip gloss which instantly and over time makes even the most modest lips appear fuller, softer and more contoured. Layered over Clinique’s Different Lipstick in A Different Grape or High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15, a sophisticated lipstick that delivers superior colour and moisturising benefits from the moment it’s applied.

Finally the look can be finished with High Impact Mascara to deliver intense, glamorous, dressed-up lashes in a flash.

New Black Tie Violets is available in-store and online at Clinique.co.uk

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River Thames Party Boat

Whether you’re organising an office party for a large or small group, Thames Leisure offer both shared and exclusive cruises so everyone can enjoy an evening on the Thames aboard one of their tastefully decorated party boats.

They also have an extensive and distinguished list of organisations that enjoy partying with them every year, so you don’t need to worry about coming aboard in small groups, or celebrating with a drab crowd – everyone just wants to enjoy themselves!

Thames Leisure are currently offering guests a number of ready made packages for private and shared parties, all with highly competitive prices and a whole host of fantastic party ideas to help inspire you.

If you cannot wait to party until Christmas then Thames Leisure are also introducing 15% off charter rates for new parties booked and held during October and a credit crunching 25% off charter rates for parties held in November (terms & conditions do apply). For those in the service industry who like to enjoy the festive season in January, they also offer some great reductions after the New Year.

For more information on how Thames Leisure can help inspire and entertain you this Christmas, call 020 7623 1805 or visit www.thamesleisure.co.uk

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Holker Hall Snow Scene

For the second year running Holker will be hosting ‘Christmas at Holker’ making the most of all that the Hall and Gardens have to offer at this magical time of year. From 5th to 22nd December there will be a whole host of events and activities to suit visitors of all ages.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the Hall at its very best, recreating an era when the celebration of Christmas was a very important occasion in the life of the Estate. This year the decorations include a series of uniquely designed Christmas trees and follow a lavish, traditional Victorian theme to compliment the period surroundings.

A Winter Wonderland

Step into a winter wonderland with a visit to the gardens at Holker which are open daily from 10.30pm-5.30pm during ‘Christmas at Holker’. Visitors to the Hall can explore the gardens and enjoy the enchanting twilight illuminations from 3.30pm.

Traditional Christmas Carols

Live Christmas music will be performed by local musicians and singers every weekend throughout Christmas at Holker. On Saturdays from 12.30pm-3.30pm instrumental “Christmas Favourites” can be enjoyed and on Sundays from 1.30pm-3.00pm the Cartmel Choral Society will be singing traditional carols around the warming braziers in the Courtyard.

A Holker Christmas for Children

Step back in time to discover the magic of a Victorian Christmas with a variety of activities to inspire children aged 3-10 years. Children will gather round the fire for traditional Christmas stories and create authentic Christmas decorations and gifts. You can also enjoy an educational Hall tour with your children to learn about Christmases past. Children’s activities are taking place on Sunday 6th, Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December from 2.30pm-5.00pm. Pre-booking is essential.

Festive Food at Holker

On Sunday 6th December 10.30am – 3.30pm the very popular Fine Food Producers’ Market returns to Holker for Christmas and will be showcasing the best local produce for the festive season. Entry and parking for the market are free.

Christmas at Holker also offers the opportunity to stock up on exquisite decorations and festive gifts in the Gift Shop. Indulge in fine foods and Christmas hampers in the Holker Food Hall. Enjoy delicious seasonal food in the Courtyard Cafe, including roast chestnuts and mulled claret. Taste and buy traditional, local and seasonal foods from Holker’s own baker and chef, and celebrate at the Holker BBQ which will be serving Holker meats at the weekends.

On Wednesday 9th December Holker Hall will also be hosting a fascinating evening lecture by eminent food historian Ivan Day. As well as being one of the culinary worlds greatest writers Ivan also runs courses on period cookery, many of which take place in his own home, a seventeenth century farmhouse on the edge of the Lake District. Discover not only the traditional food of the Lakeland farmhouse, but also the rich offering prepared in the kitchens of the regions great country houses. The lecture will also include light refreshments. Booking is essential.

To find out more information about any of the Christmas at Holker events or to book tickets call 015395 58328, email info@holker.co.uk or visit www.holker.co.uk.

Groups of 10 or more people will benefit from reduced rates and can book a fascinating Winter Woodland Tour or a group lunch in the elegant function room.

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