The holiday season is here, and with it comes one of the most dreaded events of the year for many: the office Christmas party. Often a mix of awkward small talk, stale finger foods, and forced fun, it’s no wonder that most employees dread this annual gathering. But don’t worry! Your office Christmas party doesn’t have to be like every other. With the right mix of creativity and effort, you can transform a dull event into one your coworkers will look forward to.
In this guide, we’re sharing 22 office Christmas party ideas that’ll actually make your celebration enjoyable. Whether you’re in charge of organizing or just looking for ways to make the event more exciting, these ideas will help you add some sparkle to your holiday festivities.
1. Themed Dress Code
A themed dress code can take the monotony out of the usual office attire. Imagine walking into work on the day of the party and seeing your coworkers in their best holiday-themed outfits! Whether it’s “ugly Christmas sweaters” or “festive pajamas,” setting a fun dress code will get everyone into the holiday spirit.
A dress-up theme gives people a chance to show off their creativity and even bond over matching outfits. You could organize a mini “fashion show” during the party and offer prizes for the best costumes. Trust us, it’ll be a hit!
2. Secret Santa Gift Exchange
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Secret Santa exchange! But let’s take it up a notch this year. Instead of sticking to the typical gift cards or desk toys, set a price limit and encourage everyone to get a little more creative. How about a “handmade gift” challenge, where people create something thoughtful for their recipient?
To keep the excitement high, you could make the reveal process more interactive—maybe with a guessing game or a “clue” system where each person gets a hint about their Secret Santa’s identity. This turns the gift exchange into a fun activity rather than just a casual swap.
3. Holiday Karaoke
Karaoke is always a crowd-pleaser, and when it’s Christmas songs, the energy hits a whole new level. Set up a karaoke machine and let your colleagues belt out their favorite holiday tunes. This is a great way to break the ice and get everyone laughing.
Want to make it more fun? Create a “Christmas Song Challenge” where participants have to sing their chosen song without missing a beat. Bonus points for those who can incorporate silly dance moves into their performance!
4. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
Who doesn’t love cookies during the holidays? Why not make it a fun competition and have a Christmas cookie decorating contest at your office Christmas party? Provide a variety of frosting, sprinkles, and candy toppings, and watch as your coworkers transform their cookies into works of art.
You can even turn this into a team activity. Have employees pair up to decorate their cookies and see which team creates the most elaborate or creative design. At the end of the contest, everyone gets to eat their delicious creations!
5. Festive Photo Booth
Everyone loves taking photos to capture the memories of a fun party. Set up a festive photo booth with a backdrop of twinkling lights, snowflakes, and holiday props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and fake snow. It’s the perfect way to create lasting memories and give employees something to look back on.
Make sure the photo booth has fun props and signs with catchy holiday sayings like “Naughty or Nice” or “Jingle All the Way.” You could even create a photo contest by encouraging attendees to share their best shots on social media with a hashtag, and offer a prize for the funniest or most creative photo.
6. Office Christmas Trivia
Looking for a way to make the party a little more interactive and brainy? Try setting up an office Christmas trivia game! You can create questions based on your company’s history, pop culture holiday references, or even quirky facts about your colleagues. It’s a great icebreaker and will get everyone involved.
To spice it up, divide your office into teams and let them compete for some fun prizes. Whether it’s bragging rights or a little gift, the winning team will feel extra festive as they claim their victory!
7. Holiday-Themed Cocktail Bar
If your office culture allows for alcohol, a holiday-themed cocktail bar is a sure way to elevate your Christmas party. Think spiked eggnog, mulled wine, or a peppermint martini! You can have a mixologist come in or just set up a DIY cocktail station where employees can craft their own drinks.
Be sure to also offer non-alcoholic versions of the holiday beverages so everyone can join in the festive fun. You could even add a “create your own drink” contest to keep things competitive and creative!
8. Christmas Craft Corner
This one’s for the creative souls in the office. Set up a Christmas craft corner with all the supplies needed to make holiday decorations. Whether it’s making wreaths, crafting ornaments, or decorating stockings, it gives people a chance to relax, unwind, and get their hands dirty while still being social.
You could also turn this into a charitable activity by creating decorations or gifts for a local shelter or cause. This makes the crafting session more meaningful and gives your team a sense of purpose during the holiday season.
9. Office Scavenger Hunt
For a little bit of adventure, why not organize an office-wide scavenger hunt? Create clues that lead employees on a journey through the office, with each clue bringing them closer to a hidden “treasure.” You can theme the scavenger hunt with Christmas elements—think reindeer tracks, candy cane clues, or hidden ornaments.
Scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to engage everyone and get people out of their usual work mode. Plus, they can work in teams or individually, making this an interactive and competitive game that’s full of fun surprises!
10. DIY Hot Chocolate Bar
Hot chocolate is a holiday classic, so why not set up a DIY hot chocolate bar at your office Christmas party? Include a variety of toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, and chocolate chips. Employees can customize their own cups of cocoa to their liking, making it a fun and cozy experience.
To make it extra special, offer flavored syrups like peppermint or caramel to make the hot chocolate even more indulgent. You could also have a contest for the most creative hot chocolate creation!
11. Gingerbread House Decorating Challenge
Another fun, creative, and delicious activity for your office Christmas party is a gingerbread house decorating challenge. Buy pre-built gingerbread house kits or provide the raw materials, and let your colleagues’ creativity flow as they build their sweet masterpieces.
Make sure to have plenty of decorating supplies like icing, candy, and sprinkles to go around. At the end of the contest, have a vote for the best house, and award a small prize to the winning team or individual. It’s a sweet way to bring everyone together!
12. Christmas Charades
A classic game of charades always brings the laughs, but this time, put a Christmas spin on it! From reenacting scenes from holiday movies to acting out Christmas carols, you’ll be surprised at how much fun your coworkers will have.
You can either have teams or let individuals take turns. To make it more interesting, add a time limit or have a judge award points for creativity. Prepare your funniest gestures and get ready for a lot of laughs!
13. Secret Santa Cookie Swap
If you love the idea of Secret Santa but want to add a twist, consider a Secret Santa cookie swap. Instead of buying presents, employees bake their favorite holiday cookies and swap them with their coworkers. It’s a great way to try new recipes and share the holiday spirit.
You can create a cookie “gallery” where people display their cookies before the swap. This allows everyone to admire each other’s baking skills and makes the event feel even more festive.
14. Christmas Bingo
Bingo is an easy game to organize and fun for everyone. You can create custom Christmas Bingo cards that feature popular holiday-related words or images like Christmas trees, reindeer, or ornaments. As you call out the words, participants mark off their cards until someone yells “Bingo!”
To keep things exciting, offer small prizes for the winners. This keeps everyone engaged and adds a competitive edge to the traditional game of Bingo.
15. Christmas Potluck Lunch
A Christmas potluck lunch is an easy and low-stress way to bring people together over a meal. Ask everyone to bring their favorite holiday dish—whether it’s a classic Christmas ham, homemade stuffing, or a unique holiday treat. This gives everyone the chance to contribute to the celebration.
Having a potluck lunch also makes the event feel more like a communal experience, where employees can share family traditions or try dishes they’ve never tasted before. It’s a great way to create a warm, festive atmosphere at the party.
16. Holiday-Themed Escape Room
Escape rooms have become increasingly popular, and many of them offer holiday-themed experiences. Book a session at a local escape room, or bring the experience to the office by creating your own holiday-themed escape room.
Split your team into groups and challenge them to solve holiday riddles, find hidden clues, and work together to “escape” before time runs out. This fun and engaging activity is perfect for getting everyone involved while boosting teamwork.
17. Virtual Holiday Games (for Remote Teams)
If your office is remote, you can still have a memorable Christmas party by hosting virtual holiday games. Platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams allow you to play games like Christmas trivia, virtual Pictionary, or even a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt.
For a personal touch, you can organize a virtual “holiday happy hour” where people can sip on their favorite beverages while chatting or playing games. This helps maintain the festive vibe even if you can’t all be in the same place.
18. Holiday Movie Marathon
Sometimes, the best office Christmas parties are the simplest ones. Set up a cozy area with blankets and pillows and play a few classic holiday movies like Home Alone, Elf, or A Christmas Story. Encourage people to bring their favorite holiday snacks and drinks to enjoy while watching the films.
You could even take it a step further and create a “movie bingo” card where participants mark off common holiday movie tropes, like “snow falling outside” or “the classic Santa scene.”
19. White Elephant Gift Exchange
A White Elephant gift exchange is always good for a few laughs! Have everyone bring a quirky or funny gift (within a set price limit) and draw numbers to see who gets to choose first. The catch? People can “steal” gifts from others, making the whole exchange a playful experience.
Be sure to set clear guidelines for the types of gifts that are acceptable—this will ensure that no one ends up with something too inappropriate or unappetizing. Keep it fun and lighthearted!
20. DIY Ornament Making
Turn your office Christmas party into a DIY craft workshop with an ornament-making station. Provide clear plastic ornaments that employees can fill with glitter, paint, or small festive items like beads, buttons, and faux snow.
This gives everyone a chance to get creative and make something they can take home as a keepsake. Plus, you’ll have a whole bunch of homemade ornaments hanging in the office by the end of the party!
21. Christmas Karaoke Lip Sync Battle
If your office doesn’t have a karaoke machine, you can still bring the fun of karaoke into your Christmas party with a lip sync battle! Participants pick their favorite holiday songs and perform them to the best of their ability—without actually singing.
Encourage over-the-top performances with props and costumes. The more dramatic, the better! This activity is guaranteed to have everyone laughing and cheering for their colleagues.
22. Volunteer as a Team
The holiday season is about giving back, and there’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by volunteering together as a team. Whether it’s serving meals at a local shelter, organizing a toy drive, or decorating a community center, giving back as a team fosters a sense of unity.
Not only will your office team feel good about contributing to the community, but volunteering together also helps build stronger relationships outside of work. Plus, it’s a great way to spread holiday cheer beyond the office walls.
Conclusion
Your office Christmas party doesn’t have to suck. With a little creativity and planning, you can create an event that employees actually look forward to each year. Whether it’s a friendly competition, a fun game, or a charitable activity, these 22 office Christmas party ideas will help you throw a celebration that will be remembered for years to come.
So, which idea will you try first? Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fun, inclusive, and full of holiday cheer. Happy Holidays!