Love it or hate it, a fact of corporate life is the obligatory holiday office party. Whether you look forward to this annual event or drag your RSVP out to the last minute, this year, break the office party mold and celebrate the holidays like a pro with these etiquette tips.

Get Social

Don’t hang around the food all evening! Break social barriers between departments and introduce yourself, or your immediate coworkers, to others in the company; it’ll liven up the evening for everyone involved. The key to a good introduction is making it memorable. Add an anecdote, play with mnemonics, and always make it accurate and sincere.

Make a Statement

So you’ve exited your comfort zone and spoken with people you don’t know, now it’s time to decide how much you really want to party. Keep in mind: this is still a business holiday event, so keep it fun but tasteful. This is your chance to shine outside-the-box, so play up your strengths. While being master of the dance floor is one thing, boozing it up is quite another. Don’t be the one that’s had too much to drink. Do be the one they’ll want to seek out at next year’s party.

What Did the Invite Say?

You don’t want to be remembered for wearing your ugly Christmas sweater to the semi-formal. Pay attention to the details: start and end times, dress code, and if a Secret Santa gift* is required.

*Side note: choosing your own gift in the present exchange is probably frowned upon! See: Make a Statement.

Timing is Everything

That goes from not showing up ten minutes before the party is over just to save face--they’ll notice, trust us--to etiquette at the buffet line. Keep your plate minimal, and if they pass around hors d'oeuvres, avoid transferring the food directly from the tray to your mouth. They hand out those little napkins for a reason. Lastly, proving you can still pull an all-nighter won’t get you any brownie points either.

In the end, these holiday office parties are a way to connect. You might see these people on a daily basis, others you may not, this is your chance to show warmth, enthusiasm, and spirit. And humility goes a long way. Have fun out there!

The Lower Mainland has no shortage of delicious spots to enjoy a meal. And when it comes to the city’s fine dining, our chefs offer up nothing less than world-class fare. From Vancouver’s top realtor, here’s some advice on where your next top meal in the city should be at.

Hawksworth Restaurant

There’s a reason Chef David Hawksworth’s restaurant in the heart of downtown Vancouver is a five-time winner of Best Upscale Restaurant in Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Awards. Nestled in the the legendary Rosewood Hotel Georgia on the corner of Howe and Georgia streets, Hawksworth welcomes patrons for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each dish is ingredient-led, masterfully put together for an unforgettable meal of quality and wow-factor. Don’t let the glamour fool you, the service is warm and attentive.

Miku

Part of the Aburi restaurant family, Miku’s popularity is as much due to its breathtaking location in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour as for its mouthwatering list of creative rolls. Specializing in aburi sushi which entails flame-searing the fish, Miku offers exceptional service and tasteful dishes for sushi aficionados. Enjoy the north shore mountainscapes from their waterfront patio while indulging in a unique culinary experience.

Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar

It’s all about understated style to enhance the West Coast fare served at Boulevard. From the champagne and oyster bars to the quintessential Euro-style dining room and wrap-around outdoor patio, there’s a little something for every Vancouverite to settle in and enjoy a meal from early morning to late at night. Adjacent to the Sutton Hotel in the bustling heart of the city, Boulevard doesn’t disappoint in the breezy atmosphere and delicious eats department.

Le Crocodile

If the same staff is still serving up the establishment’s not-to-be-missed French fare after 30 years, that says something about the restaurant’s culture as much as it does about the food. Le Crocodile fuses traditional French cooking with Vancouver’s beloved West Coast style. Named after the three star Michelin restaurant Au Crocodile in Strasbourg, Michel Jacob opened Le Crocodile and Chef/Owner Michel Jacob continues to serve some of the finest food in the city as he’s done for generations to locals and celebrities such as Pacino and Spielberg, alike.

Ladurée

This recent addition to the Robson shopping district is a Parisian jewel in the middle of the city. With its trademark mint awning belying the pastel wonderland inside, Ladurée’s to-die-for pastries make this the spot for afternoon tea, or dessert post-dining at one of Vancouver’s finest restaurants. Their speciality, the macaron, is the single best two-bite dessert in the Lower Mainland.

Bon appetit!

With an abundance of beautiful courses scattered across the Lower Mainland, it’s hard to narrow it down, but we’ve done our best to choose just five with exemplary characteristics. From private clubs to public courses, these are anything but par for the course.

University Golf Club

A luxurious public course amid old-growth forest, the University Golf Club has 10-minute tee time intervals for a leisurely experience. It also features a 1,600 sq ft retail space that stocks premiere gear and the latest products for golf lovers of all levels. Only a short drive from the city by UBC, it offers a private country club vibe. The original clubhouse is now home to the BC Golf Museum.

Furry Creek Golf and Country Club

Along the famed Sea-to-Sky Highway, Furry Creek is a full 18-hole public course offering panoramic ocean views and the occasional encounter with indigenous wildlife. Warm up at the two hitting nets and putting green on your way to the first hole, aptly named “The Drop Zone”.

The Redwoods Golf Course

Surrounded by panoramic views of the coastal mountains, Redwoods is a Ted Locke-designed championship course just 30 minutes outside Vancouver in Langley. Extensive amenities including practice facilities, driving range, lessons, golf shop and a licensed restaurant.

Nicklaus North Whistler

This award-winning course prides itself on guest services, exceptional course conditioning, and features the largest clubhouse in Whistler. Designed to complement the area’s natural habitat, Nicklaus North bares the name of the pro himself to underscore the exceptional experience one would expect.

Northview Golf & Country Club

With an international reputation, Northview’s claim-to-fame is its two courses, designed by legendary Arnold Palmer. The championship Ridge and Canal courses are accompanied by the Academy, home to Canadian PGA and LPGA golf pros ready to help you master the game on the same courses used as practice facilities for the PGA tour.

What’s your favourite course in the Lower Mainland? Share with us!