IT'S the time of year that any sensible person should dread the annual chance to make a fool of yourself in front of your workmates and bosses.

One wrong move or misjudged remark at the Christmas office party could undo all the hard work you've put in all year.

But this doesn't seem to matter when it comes to accepting the invitation, with an estimated two out of three workers attending the festive staff party only to regret it the next day.

Stories of misbehaviour are legendary, from Full Monty-style strips to drunken snogs between colleagues, over-imbibers being sick on the dance floor or even fights breaking out.

Sometimes things can get really out of hand a survey by jobs.telegraph.co.uk revealed that 6 per cent of those asked had witnessed a colleague actually being fired at the office party.

Despite the cautionary tales, bad behaviour and office parties still seem to go together in the public's mind.

A recent study of nearly 2,000 UK workers by drinks manufacturer Matthew Clark found that 60 per cent of women and 54 per cent of men expected to do something they'd regret.

Angela Blackhouse, partner at party and events agency Party Parties says it's easy to avoid major problems by simply watching what you drink. The thing that gets most people into trouble is drinking too much, but it comes as part and parcel of a Christmas party.

Alcohol has the ability to diminish individual inhibitions to frighteningly low levels. Normally straight-laced characters may start acting the fool, and many will become more open to offers from the opposite sex.

Booze can also bring out bad feeling that inevitably flies around offices and is kept under cover during the year.

But Ms Blackhouse warns: Christmas parties aren't about fighting. If there's someone you don't like, avoid them at the party.

If you're planning to drink yourself silly, then don't copy ex-All Saint Melanie Blatt's antics in a TV ad by photocopying your bottom the boozy party piece could result in serious injury if the glass shatters. But the photocopier isn't the only potential danger at an office party.

That innocent looking piece of mistletoe can also cause havoc, particularly as many people don't take their other half.

Agony aunt Zelda West-Meads receives a number of letters at this time of year from people concerned about their partners attending the office party. But she claims even the single need to be wary.

If people take things too far, there's the embarrassment of going into work the next day and facing the person, she says. There's also the worry of not knowing who saw you while you were doing it.

However, she acknowledges that many relationships begin at the office bash.

People who work together all year round know each other very well. A lot of romances actually start at the Christmas party.

As long as party-goers attend with a clear head and a fully-lined stomach, there's no reason why it shouldn't go with a swing.

Revellers should steer clear of any colleagues who annoy them and try to avoid saying anything they'll regret later.

Follow these guidelines and you should have a whale of a time.

As MS West-Mead says: Office parties can be great fun with lots of dressing up, drinking and relaxing with the people you know.