Office Party Etiquettes

Etiquettes to be followed while at an Official party:

Don't even consider NOT going unless you have a justifiable conflict. The office party is part of your job. Its purpose is to bring together coworkers and colleagues.
Find out who else has been invited. If you assume that it is just your department or your work team, you may not be prepared to interact with everyone else. Any sort of mixing and mingling event requires advance preparation.
Stay long enough to speak to everyone there - assuming there is not a cast of thousands. With a large crowd, interact with as many people as possible, especially the key people like your boss.
You need to remain at the event for at least an hour or you will give the impression that your appearance was merely obligatory.
If you are having a good time, check your watch. Leave before the party time has elapsed. If your invitation was from 5-7, don't stay one minute past 7 o'clock.
Dress appropriately - this means you dress a little more formally and discretely than you would at a similar social event.
Remember that this is the office party, and keep your guard up when deciding how to dress. If the event is immediately after work, your business attire is appropriate.
If the party is later in the evening or on the weekend your choices will vary depending on the type of event. If you aren't certain what to wear, check directly with your host or with coworkers whose taste and judgment you trust. Make sure that what you wear reflects well on you professionally. This is not the time to show up in your most revealing outfit.
Take your children only if the invitation reads "and family". Otherwise leave them at home with the babysitter. Unless your spouse is mentioned or the envelope is addressed to you "and guest" you and only you should show up.
You are not there for the food. You are there for the fellowship so resist the urge to fill your plate to overflowing.
Drink in moderation. Alcohol and business rarely mix well so limit how much you consume. This is an opportunity to build business relationships and to promote yourself.
Be on time for the office party
Turn your cell phone off. Cell phones no longer impress anyone and their intrusion is a source of annoyance, so never use them beside or within earshot of other guests.
Be aware that despite the social occasion, you are being observed by your employer (employees if you are the employer) and co-workers, so conduct yourself with dignity and respect.
Make room to include anyone who approaches to join the gathering.
Introduce yourself to new arrivals to make them feel welcome.
Introduce them to others in the group if they appear to not know them.
The important points to remember at the table are to not wolf down your food, eat or drink to excess, slurp, chomp or burp at the table.
Circulate - don't spend all evening with your office lunch clique. Work the room; introduce yourself, and talk to others in different departments, at levels above and below you.
Letting spirits, festive or otherwise, go to your head has an annoying way of rebounding on you. Keep your hands and overly appreciative comments to yourself, and remember the food and alcohol are just props in this evening's drama, not the main event!