'Mad Men' and the Evolution of the Office Party

Don't dress too provocatively. Don't drink too much alcohol. Don't talk too loud. Don't do anything that might embarrass you in front of the boss. Today's rules for the office holiday party are dizzying. (That's right. You can't even call it a Christmas party anymore.)

When it comes to the office party, is newer better? What's the point of a year-end celebration if you can't, as the saying goes, let your hair down? In modern times, does no smoking and no drinking add up to no fun?

"Mad Men" on Sunday revealed a glimpse of the parties of Christmas past: free-flowing alcohol, conga lines and a tight, red dress with a strategically placed bow in the back. It was a time to break the rules. But how much fun was this 1960s bacchanal?

The new advertising firm spent money it didn't have to impress a client with a sadistic streak. Roger Sterling wipes the tell-tale Maalox off the corner of his mouth, only to endure humiliation as a reluctant Santa holding grown men in his lap. Don Draper descends even further into his personal hell, taking along his secretary, Allison, who is unfortunate enough to be there when he's in the mood for casual, drunken sex.

In 1960's "The Apartment," writer-director Billy Wilder (at his best) plays with a similar juxtaposition. Its Christmas party -- complete with junior executives dancing on desks -- is the scene for Jack Lemmon's heartbreak and Shirley MacLaine's self-loathing.

Ho, ho, ho!

In 2010, when insecurity is the only thing you can count on at the job (if you're lucky enough to have one), who would want to make waves? But before romanticizing the freedom of the past, take care. There is always an underlying sadness that accompanied booze-soaked holiday cheer. Forced merriment isn't very merry. And -- as the characters of "Mad Men" know -- you always have to wake up the next morning.

Click here to follow Mary C. Curtis on Twitter.