Why you should start training: For Christmas & NYE Parties

'What do you think Carl? Is Rishi Sunak going to win the next election?' Trust me I know this question is coming my way. I'm not a very political person, that is to say, I don't read political memoirs, I don't know who name of the Shadow Minister of Defence and I can't tell you what the hell peers do all day in the House of Lords. 

Yet at every Christmas Party I know I will invariably get asked that question. At a rough guess I will probably attend circa 10-15 Christmas parties this year. Mainly for brands and clients which I gracefully attend. Relatives, friends etc. Despite the unwritten rule of never talking politics at parties, my international friends always look to get the pulse of the nation when they're in town, so they can report back to their friends with an inside scoop or two. 

So I start getting in shape round about now for Christmas get-togethers, not just physically, but intellectually. Here are some of my tips on how you can be the most interesting person at your Christmas Party this year. 

Serve a cocktail

No man should arrive at a party empty handed. So bring a bottle, maybe some ingredients, ask ahead if the host has a cocktail shaker. When you're in the kitchen (which is where everyone hangs out) you can start making some cocktails for your host and their guests which is a great conversation stimulator. Of course you would have rehearsed this religiously at home, perfecting that Cosmopolitan, Martini or what have you. 

If you've also been working out physically then shaking that cocktail maker above your head in a short sleeve shirt is a great way to pull attention towards your newly sculpted forearms. 

Prep your holiday stories

A lot of folks will have seen your social posts and will ask about how your holiday was. Don't be caught off guard, or talk aimlessly about the weather or the beach or how the flight was delayed for an hour. Have a couple of decent anecdotes up your sleeve. Maybe address the differences in culture, (tipping is always a good one) and then ask if they have visited the same country. What are their thoughts? What was their experience like? 

No such thing as over dressing

If you're unsure whether a tie is too much for a Christmas Party, wear one anyway. In my experience wearing a suit and tie to a Christmas Party is actually a fun thing to do as people will often want to remark on the suit, the fabric, best tailors town etc. For some great prices on high quality shirts and ties, do check out my e-commerce site Hawkins & Shepherd. 

My advice is to at least wear something with a collar and always take your shoes off at the door. Nothing irks me more than people just trudging through my house with their shoes on. Especially in the winter when it's wet and muddy underfoot. 

Be up-to-date economically, politically & world news

You don't have to subscribe to the Spectator, but it doesn't hurt to pay attention to what is going on with the British Economy. I listen to the daily BBC Wake up to Money podcast which also weaves in a lot of political debate. I have it on double speed because I don't need to analyse everything. 

The key is not to regurgitate everything you hear on whatever channel you get your news from, but to at least be in the loop should you get talking to a guest that feels more comfortable discussing political affairs. 

Have a project on the go

This is a big one. I feel like every person I speak to is much more interesting when they talk about ideas, rather than people themselves. If you're writing a book, or maybe renovating your kitchen, don't be afraid to brag about it. I don't see it as procrastinating, I see it as an opportunity to do some soft marketing.

Hopefully you'll have some friends who can connect you with someone that can elevate your ideas to the next level. It might be an idea to patent these nuggets before you start singing about them. I had an idea for a film called 15- Love about a tennis coach that falls in love with his 14 year old protege. And what do you know, somebody stole it. Admittedly, nobody I knew stole it. But who knows who they told. 

 Photo by Daniele Franchi on Unsplash