Courtesy of Your Workplace magazine MemberMail

As we head into the holiday planning season, there are a few things to keep in mind for the 2011 holiday office party. Many of the suggestions for employees attending parties we’ve heard before: Don’t drink too much, don’t flirt, arrive early, don’t talk business or be a wallflower, thank the person who is hosting the party, and attend other department parties within the company.

But what if you are the one in charge of planning this year’s holiday party? What are the latest trends for 2011 that you should keep in mind?

Firstly, if you are concerned about cost, hold the party with another company, advises Dawn Bryan, author of The Art and Etiquette of Gift Giving and founder of New York City consulting firm Qualipedia. Bryan recommends holding your work party during the day, depending on the circumstances, so people can have a few hours off and not worry about hiring a babysitter. If you throw a breakfast or brunch, you don’t have to worry about alcohol costs.

Why not try a new venue? Or a new idea for a holiday party, such as giving employees a day off to volunteer in a soup kitchen, organize a food drive, or deliver presents to needy children? (A great team-building activity, by the way!) Bryan also advises that party planners consider whether employees would like to bring significant others or children. Planners should customize the party to consider the cultural diversity of their organization and consider whether the food, music and activities will appeal to the diversity of your organization.

Here are some additional tips for 2011 party planning, adapted from Quintessential Careers:

•              Don’t assume everyone celebrates the same holiday, so don’t go overboard with the “Merry Christmas”.

•              Do make it clear who is invited to the party, and if spouses or significant others are permitted.

•              Don’t monopolize conversations — and, especially, don’t talk about yourself or your accomplishments all night. Do show interest in others. Do be gracious and thank coworkers and team members for all their help and hard work during the past year. And don’t even think about gossiping about others.

•              Do keep one hand free during the night so that you can offer handshakes to people as they come by. And do keep your drink in your left hand, so you are not offering people a cold, wet handshake all evening.

•              Most importantly, provide a car or cab service for employees attending the holiday party, or a designated driver.  Don’t drink and drive.

Above all, consider asking your employees for input this year. Take the time to communicate with them and ask them for creative ideas. By doing this not only do you acknowledge that their input is valuable, but you know you will be planning an event everyone is looking forward to.