i learned a few minor but very valuable lessons to keep in mind moving forward after my office christmas party saturday night.

regarding photo booths: there are really very few seconds between photos, so you need a game plan going in. otherwise you get a couple cute photos at the beginning, but then you get caught without any good poses and the next two are either half-hearted, catch you off guard, or are the same final two you have on every other set of photo booth photos you’ve ever taken. although it does help if your date is so cute, even generic photos turn out fairly adorable. (awww…)

regarding open bars: it is in the venue’s best interest to make every drink a double, as they charge by the bottle used in the night’s festivities. try to remember that and not drink at the same blistering pace you normally would, as this will result in having to go home an hour before the party even ends, unable to stand up straight, hold a real conversation, or even successfully fill out the taxi voucher with your own name. gin and tonics are supposed to be your friend, not your downfall.