December, quite simply, means last-minute shopping, building gingerbread houses, and spending time with family and friends. And for many, it also means attending holiday festivities – such as a company holiday party.

While it's perfectly alright to enjoy celebrating the most festive time of the year with your colleagues, it’s first and foremost important to remember to mind your manners. That includes not gossiping about whether the office receptionist is wearing a 'tacky' dress, your boss is wearing a (noticeable) toupee, or the company lawyer has had one too many to drink – give them a break, it was a long year! These are pretty specific examples, but what about the more general situations that arise this time of the year? Here are some other things you need to remember to ensure you mind your manners this holiday season:

Don't forget to RSVP - Make sure you let the party host know about your attendance - and don't wait until the last minute. Remember that your RSVP makes a difference in food quantities, place settings, and prizes – all of which take time to set up! Be considerate in answering your invitation when you receive it.

Dress wisely – Whether you’re attending an office party or your friend’s annual holiday shindig, it’s important you take into account what you will be wearing. The easiest way to decide what is appropriate? Know your audience. If you’re attending your company holiday party, understand that it’s still a work event and it is not appropriate to wear low-cut tops or tight clothing. Most of the time, your invitation will list the time and location of the party, which should give you an indication if it is a casual, business casual, or black-tie event.

Arrive on time – Just as you do (or should) every morning to work, you should be relatively prompt for your holiday festivities. Especially if the event you’re attending is work-related, it's best to arrive on time. These are not occasions where being fashionably early or late is appropriate. If you're early, you'll likely be in the way of party preparations and if you're late enough, chances are activities or speeches will be well underway.

Don't overeat - It's okay to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, the buffet, or even the awesome spread of dips and cheeses your friend put out, just don't act like you haven't eaten in a week. There are others at the event who would like to and should be able to enjoy each item as well. Also remember to properly discard plates, napkins, and toothpicks.

Be social – Parties are great ways to get to know your colleagues on a more personal level or make new friends. If you're shy, a popular icebreaker is asking people about their holiday plans. Remember to be engaging, not crude. It's not the time to tell inappropriate jokes or use foul language.

Respect others’ privacy - Nearly everyone has a camera phone these days, and it's a good idea to ask your colleagues before you take pictures of them, as not everyone wants to appear on social media. If there are photo options, such as photo booths or backdrops, take advantage of those opportunities to snap pictures. Sometimes parties can get a little out of hand and people may act out of their everyday character. If you happen to take pictures of these moments, make sure the person is okay with it, and don’t share it with everyone. Parties should be a “safe space” to have some fun!

We hope these tips help when it comes time to celebrate the holiday season. Wherever you may be, make sure to mind your P’s and Q’s, and most of all – have a great time!