Often times, offices like to celebrate holidays and if your office is anything like mine, be ready to celebrate BIG! Join in on the festivities with your co-workers, just be sure to do so appropriately. In the spirit of Halloween, I am sharing my tips for how to celebrate Halloween at work!

1. Be Tasteful and Dress Appropriately
   • If you are allowed to dress up for work, be sure your outfit fits the regular dress code/policies for your organization.
     • Avoid outfits that are extremely short. For ladies, wear something that covers your legs the way a pencil skirt or work dress does.
     • Do not show your cleavage by wearing a low-cut costume top or bustier.
     • Try to stay away from outfits that have rips, holes, etc. in them. You still want to look clean-cut at work.
     • Avoid on shirts/costumes with inappropriate phrases or images.
   • Ensure you can still do your job in your costumes. (i.e. wearing so many accessories you can’t reach your keyboard = a non-productive work day and a frustrated boss)
   • Be culturally sensitive. For example, dressing up as a priest or nun may offend people of the Catholic faith.
   • Be sensitive to current events. For example, I used to work in a hospital and when Ebola was a very newsworthy topic of great concern to many people, dressing up in a Hazmat suit and walking into the hospital would have been guaranteed to unsettle people.
2. Be Cautious with Decorative Make-Up
   • Avoid using bloody/gory make-up and designs that may scare clients, guests, patients, children, etc.
   • Add a little sparkle or some false eye lashes to your eye make-up, but be sure to keep it professional.
3. Don’t Want to Wear a Costume?
   • Unless it is a costume party and you are “highly encouraged” (a.k.a. practically told) to participate by your boss, it is OK to not wear a costume. Instead, dress festive!
     • Wear black and orange.
     • Add a headband, hairpiece, or a fun clip for a little bit of flare.
     • Wear decorative accessories such as a Halloween tie, Fall themed socks, pumpkin earrings, or a skull and crossbones bracelet.
     • Decorate your desk!
4. Contribute to the Party!
   • If your office is having a party, offer to bring something to contribute.
   • If you are not a good cook or baker, it is perfectly fine to buy something at the store. Tip: Put it on a nice plate/serving dish prior to getting to work so you do not show up with a bunch of store containers 😉
   • If the office does not need food, bring in festive party napkins, plates, or cups!
   • Help decorate the office!

I hope these tips contribute to your Halloween festivities and help make it a positive experience for the whole office!

Happy Halloween, y’all!

AB