You’re there for the crab cakes and cocktails. But holiday office parties can also be an excellent opportunity to network, says Ellen Harte, special events planner for Tasty Catering, a Chicago-based catering and events planning company.

Spend at least an hour at the party to make your presence known and show company spirit. Conduct yourself professionally by dressing appropriately for a work party, limiting your intake of the heavily spiked eggnog and not gossiping about your boss or the company. Network with key players in the organization whom you respect but don’t normally cross paths with. Keep your drink in your left hand so you can offer warm handshakes—and your business card—as partygoers pass by.