It’s a party, but that doesn’t mean it’s a “party”, not in ways you might typically think. When you and your colleagues gather to celebrate the holidays, act accordingly. Before all else, it’s still an office function, possibly the first time you’ve stood with workplace superiors outside of the workplace.

Don’t overdo it at the cocktail table

This might be the first time your boss gets to see your “other side”. The last thing you want to do is cast yourself in an unprofessional light by downing too many drinks before leading the sales department through a slurred rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Don’t get caught up in the festivities and start acting like you’re back at the frat house.

Dress appropriately

Sure, it’s OK to stray from the business-casual wardrobe that outfits you day in and day out throughout the year. But you’re not going “clubbing”. Let your typical office attire be your gauge. It’s fine to lean a little less conservative, but not too far. While office parties are festive events, standard workplace behavior is expected.

Don’t try to “hook up” at your work party

If you’ve been waiting for the chance to see the “hottie” down the hall in a more social setting, remember who’s watching. Use the party as a chance to engage in mature conversation to get to know somebody a little better. But tales of the couple who were caught making out in the coat closet will do nothing to improve your standing with upper-management.

Don’t complain if your Christmas bonus was low or non-existent this year

Times are tough. Many companies are even skipping the festivities due to expenses. If you’re overheard grumbling about not getting a big, fat Christmas bonus (or, for that matter, about anything else negative toward the company) words can travel fast. Keep them to yourself and enjoy the party. Not everybody is getting one these days.

Don’t just blow it off

Your office party probably hasn’t been advertised as being mandatory, but treat it as such. Go, at least for a while. If you’ve already got a prior engagement, be sure your office manager is aware of it ahead of time. To ignore it without acknowledging it would be disrespectful.

Remember: The best rule of thumb is do not detach yourself completely from office norms that dictate your everyday behavior at work. Stay in good standing with your superiors by obeying these rules of etiquette.

Office furniture can be composed out of many materials, but hardwoods make the best desks because of their durability and range of colors and textures. These five hardwoods are often used in desk construction and are the perfect complement to any home office or commercial space.

1- Cherry

Cherry furniture has a very distinctive look and is often found in the offices of executives and high-level managers. The color of cherry wood can range from light brown to a dark brown with a reddish tint. Some of the advantages of cherry are that is very durable and offers a very polished look for any office. One disadvantage of working with cherry wood for desk construction is that it can be difficult to work with, making furniture construction difficult.

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2- Oak

Oak is one of the most popular hardwoods for office furniture such as desks. Oak is known for being sturdy and it also has a very attractive and distinctive grain. Both white oak and red oak have prominent streaks in the wood grain. The biggest advantage of using oak for desks and office furniture is that it is very durable and will last for many years with proper care. One disadvantage of oak is that it can be expensive.

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3- Walnut

Walnut is another durable hardwood that is used for desk and other office furniture pieces. Walnut is chocolate brown in color and can sometimes have purple or brown streaks in the grain. This hardwood is used to craft fine, durable furniture and is very valued. One advantage of using walnut for desks is that it is durable and will last for a long time. The major disadvantage to using oak is that it is very expensive and may not fit your budget.

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4- Ash

Office desks made from ash can range in color from white to gray and often have light brown or reddish brown tints. One advantage to using ash for office furniture is that it is very bendable and easier to work with when using hand tools. One disadvantage is the price of ash; it is moderately expensive and may increase the cost of your office project.

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5- Elm

Elm is a hardwood that ranges in color from light brown to dark brown and can contain streaks of red. It is very durable, but also bendable, so it is easier to work with than other hardwoods. The disadvantages of elm are the price and the difficulty in finding this type of wood.

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