Christmas is still several weeks away, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of celebrating going on already. Office parties, cocktail parties, dinner parties.

Parties are great, but all of those cocktails and nibbles can add up, making you look a bit more Santa-like than you were wishing.

Here are some 4 C's tips from Weight Watchers for watching calories during party season:

-- Choose cocktails light on sugary mixers. Swap a cosmo for a mimosa, for example, or a bloody mary for a margarita.

-- Pick one cookie and savor it. Also, top cookies with chocolate chips or nuts, instead of mixing into the batter, to reduce the amount used. Toast nuts and coconuts to maximize flavor. Consider egg and sugar substitutes. Make smaller-sized cookies.

-- Ditto for candy. Pick a long-lasting candy (like a candy cane) and enjoy it (rather than popping candy after candy into your mouth.)

-- Consider couture. Ditch that baggy Christmas sweater and stretch pants. Wearing your "skinny" jeans just might keep you from an extra trip to the buffet table.