It appears as though the office party has evolved (devolved?) into something to be feared, or at least taken very seriously. Don’t drink too much, don’t dance like a crazy person, don’t talk people’s ears off, don’t dress like a slob or a streetwalker… The don’ts go on and on.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Guardian recently cited a survey that claims, “Christmas party hangovers will cost UK businesses £790m this year in lost productivity…”

Your good times are killing the company!

There’s no doubt that people can get out of hand at office parties, but all it takes is a little common sense and restraint to make sure you don’t become That Guy or That Girl. Here’s a sampling of some recent office party advice.

From Dumb Little Man (it’s smarter than it sounds):

• 'Outwardly affectionate' has no place at the workplace party. Don't greet your boss and co-workers with a swift kiss on the mouth. If you're not in the habit of accosting him or her this way each and every workday morning, don't start when there are tens and hundreds of wannabe gossip columnists and TMZ cameras nearby.
• 'Free drinks' doesn't mean 'all you can drink.' Don't feel justified in 'getting your money's worth' from the deep pockets of the company. 'Cocktail hour' doesn't mean that you need to set a new Guinness record for the number of drinks you can down in an hour. Remember the term moderation and consider what it might sound like to your boss who's in the next stall when the bottom drops out.
• Don't use this special occasion to appear sophisticated. If you're accustomed to sipping beer and wine, don't order a Long Island Iced Tea and drink it at the same pace in an effort to gain the reputation as a cultured, upscale, urban metro sexual. You'll leave a lasting impression either way, but better to do so while standing erect.
• Be your genuine, professional self. It never helps being labeled the Clark Kent of the firm, being the polished, consummate professional by day and the deranged, hedonist Caligula by night. Desiring to have your finger on the pulse of the company may include becoming a part of the command center, not the center of attention.
• Avoid Groupthink. Despite what your perception is, alcohol doesn't make you clever, more intelligent, incredibly likable, and a better dancer in others' eyes. Have you ever walked into a party hours after it started? You feel like you've entered the Twilight Zone, don't you? Groupthink kicks in, and decibel levels and animation increase as inhibitions disappear. It's easy to get caught up in this mass hysteria. Assume that you're in a fish bowl where others at the party are looking in from the outside.

Moving along, here are some words from Fortune’s Ask Annie column:

• Avoid being clique-y. "Being both social and professional can be a challenge for anybody," [Mark Charnock, vice president and general manager of MonsterTRAK] observes. "Often, junior employees as well as more seasoned colleagues do what is most comfortable for them - that is, go to an office party and socialize only with their friends." But try to see this as a chance to branch out and mingle with people you don't know, too.
• Skip any "afterparties." When the official event is over, go home. "Unless co-workers plan to continue their celebration with a very close-knit group of office friends, an after-party gathering can result in office gossip fodder for months to come," says Charnock. Gulp.
• Beware of arm-candy dates. If you're encouraged to bring a guest to the big bash, Chernock says, choose wisely. Bring someone who will be up for intelligent conversation with co-workers and higher-ups, "not just someone who looks good in evening wear."

These tips come from Susan RoAne, the author of How to Work a Room: Your Essential Guide to Savvy Socializing:

• Don't hit on, and don't hit up: Don't use the party to hit on a co-worker (if things go badly, you'll live with awkwardness daily) or to hit up your boss for a promotion or raise (socializing at the event is fine, but save requests for the appropriate forum).
• Eat before you go. Don't assume you'll get enough ballast from whatever's served at the event.
• Photos live on. Don't dance yourself into a sweaty mess or do anything else you'd cringe to relive in photo form.

Finally, managers should take note of this advice from Cathie Black, the president of Hearst Magazines:

• Don't do stupid things. I was publisher of New York magazine, and we were having this huge anniversary party. And Rupert Murdoch came up to me at about 10 o'clock and said, “Cathie, you should probably be thinking of going soon." And I'm like, “Going soon? I'm having a great time." And he said, “No, you don't need to be seeing the drunks on the floor." So I think that as a manager or as a leader, you have to just disappear from the party at a certain point. You should not be the last man standing. Or woman. What you don't want to do when you wake up the next morning is be full of regret.

Now go have some fun.