It's Chriskwanzakah at the office, which means candy canes in your mailbox, Starbucks Christmas Blend in the break room and potential awkwardness at the office holiday party. Ann Marie Sabath, author of seven books on office decorum including Business Etiquette: 101 Ways To Conduct Business With Charm And Savvy, offers these guidelines for surviving the organized fun.

Yes, you have to go. It shows that you're a team player, appreciate the company and have that all-important yuletide spirit.

RSVP. Even if it's just gingerbread cookies by the watercooler, RSVP within 48 hours of receiving the invitation. Remember to reply to Evites, too.

Prepare to come solo. Bring a guest only if the invitation says so. In that case, "and guest" usually means a significant other. Your hollow-legged sister shouldn't be your plus-one.

Dress for success. This is a business affair, not Project Runway, so cover up those assets. If the dress code specified on the invitation is vague - say, "holiday casual" - then ask the host for specifics.

Enter and exit gracefully. If the party is an open house from 6 to 8 p.m., then get there no later than 6:30 and prepare to stay for awhile. You don't have to be part of the cleanup committee, but you should stay long enough to show your appreciation to the host. If you have another commitment that night, then come on time and say something to the effect of, "I have an engagement tonight, but I wanted to stop by here first." That way it looks like the office party was your No. 1 priority. High five!

Make small talk. Talk about each other's kids, holiday vacation plans - basically anything but work and gossip.

Be P.C. Unless you know someone celebrates a particular observance, play it safe and go with "Happy holidays."

Bring a gift for the host. A box of chocolates or bottle of wine is probably a safe bet.

Eat before the party. Hors d'oeuvre is not French for "turn the food table into your personal feeding trough." Besides, you'll need your left hand for your drink and your right one available for spur-of-the-moment hand shakes. Unless you're an octopus, you won't have a free appendage to hold an appetizer plate.

Keep the holiday spirits to a minimum. "Alcohol should never act as truth serum," Sabath said. So drink only as much as you can while keeping your composure. "Oftentimes when people drink a little bit too much, they start flirting with the boss' spouse," Sabath said. "Look at what other people are doing. If your boss does not drink, then you shouldn't drink. ... Take the cue from the highest-level person." Other advice: When you go to replenish your glass, ask if the people around you would like to be topped off as well. And whether you're downing mojitos or Mountain Dew, drink from a glass, not a bottle or can.

Send a thank you within 24 hours. A written one, that is - on your own stationery, not company letterhead. "A verbal thank-you is like a hug without touching," Sabath said. "The thank-you should not be sent via e-mail. If you had a virtual reception, then send an e-mail."