Planning the Ultimate Office Holiday Party: 10 Ideas for a Festive & Fun Event

As the holiday season approaches, offices everywhere are gearing up for one of the biggest social events of the corporate calendar, the holiday party. Office holiday parties are a great time to promote a positive workplace culture and give employees the time to step away from their desks, unwind, and connect with their colleagues in a more personal setting.

Why Do Companies Throw Holiday Parties?

A holiday office party is a way to strengthen the bonds that keep teams running smoothly. These events create a space for everyone to relax, share laughs, and celebrate the collective achievements of the past year. For many employees, it’s a chance to see their colleagues in a different light, shedding the formalities of daily work life for a few hours of genuine connection. 

The value of these moments is hard to overstate: a well-planned party can leave a lasting impression, boosting morale and reminding staff that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Beyond the fun and festivities, office holiday parties are also an opportunity to look forward. They provide a sense of closure to the year while setting the tone for the year ahead. Whether it’s through a heartfelt speech from leadership or a simple toast to future successes, these parties inspire teams to come together, feeling valued and ready to tackle new challenges.

10 Company Christmas Party Ideas & Activities to Spread Holiday Cheer at Your Office

Planning the perfect office holiday party is all about creating an atmosphere of fun and celebration while bringing your team together in new and engaging ways. Whether you’re looking for DIY party games, festive activities, or team-building ideas, the right mix of entertainment can turn a simple gathering into an unforgettable event. Here are 10 company holiday party ideas that will boost your holiday spirit & spread Christmas cheer.

1. Ugly Sweater Party 

Turn your office into a runway of outrageous, funny, or downright hideous holiday sweaters. An ugly sweater contest with promotional prizes for the “Ugliest,” “Most Creative,” or “Most Festive” sweater is a fun way to get employees involved. It’s a great way to break the ice and encourage everyone to get into the holiday spirit.

2. Gingerbread House Competition

Get competitive by organizing a gingerbread house decorating contest. Divide your team into small groups and let them design their dream holiday home. Provide kits with candy, peppermints, sprinkles, frosting, and gingerbread, and let the creativity flow. You can post the gingerbread houses on social media and get your followers involved in voting for the best and the “they gave it their best” gingerbread houses. 

3. Holiday Trivia

Test your coworkers' holiday knowledge with a festive trivia game. Prepare questions about holiday traditions, popular holiday movies, and add in some light-hearted company-related trivia. It’s a fun, low-stress way to engage everyone in the festivities while offering small prizes for the winning team.

4. Secret Santa Gift Exchanges

Secret Santa gift exchanges let employees participate in gift-giving without having to buy items for the entire office. Set a spending limit, gather gift ideas, and encourage employees to select thoughtful or humorous gifts. Make the gift exchange a highlight by having everyone reveal their Secret Santa during the party, adding an element of surprise and fun.

5. Play a Murder Mystery

Add a touch of mystery and excitement to your holiday party when you have a DIY holiday-themed murder mystery game. You can buy ready-made kits or create your own, where participants take on roles and solve clues to find out “whodunnit.” This is a perfect way to engage employees and promote teamwork.

6. Holiday-Themed Office Olympics

Get everyone moving with Office Olympics which feature holiday twists on classic fun games. From wrapping paper relay races to ornament tosses, this is a great way to introduce a little friendly competition and physical activity into your holiday celebration.

7. Cookie Decorating Party

Nothing says holidays like freshly decorated cookies. Set up a cookie decorating station with various holiday-shaped sugar cookies like snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees, and Santa hats. Provide frosting, sprinkles, and candies, and pair with a hot chocolate bar to enjoy while you decorate. Encourage employees to get creative and decorate cookies to take home or enjoy at the party.

Don’t have time to make cookies? You can still have decorated cookies at your holiday party when you order custom logo cookie gifts!

8. Office Scavenger Hunt

A holiday scavenger hunt sends employees on a mission to find holiday-related items hidden around the office. Include clues tied to holiday traditions or company milestones, and offer custom company swag to the winning team.

9. Christmas Karaoke

Get the whole office in on the fun with holiday karaoke! Let employees sing their favorite Christmas classics or even modern holiday hits. Karaoke machines are very affordable, or you can pull up lyrics on YouTube too! It’s an excellent way to encourage bonding and bring plenty of laughs to the party.

10. White Elephant Gift Exchange

If you’re looking for something with a bit of a twist, opt for a White Elephant gift exchange. In this game, employees take turns choosing and “stealing” gifts, leading to a fun and engaging exchange. The key is to keep the gifts funny or quirky!

Opt for a Group Outing

For a fresh take on the traditional office holiday party, consider planning a group outing. Outings allow employees to step outside the traditional office environment, encouraging informal networking and team bonding. 

Activities like ice skating, bowling, or even a local wine tasting can offer employees a fun, relaxed environment outside the office. Escape rooms are another popular option, providing an interactive and exciting way for teams to bond while solving puzzles together. Indoor golf centers are also fun for employees and executives to show off their skills and stay sharp for next year’s golf outings.

If you want to do some good during the holiday season, organize a Christmas caroling trip or holiday card drive for a local senior center. It’s best to make activities like this optional, but volunteering shows your commitment to the community. 

Tips for Planning Your Office Holiday Party

Planning a successful office holiday party requires more than ordering food and telling employees to show up. To create an event that everyone will enjoy, it’s important to consider the general demographics and interests of your staff. Then take steps from setting a budget to choosing a theme so your party can go from a routine gathering to the highlight of the year. Here are some essential tips to help you plan a memorable holiday celebration.

• Start Party Planning Early –  The earlier you begin, the better you can plan all your team-building activities, holiday playlists, and reserve extras like a photo booth or live entertainment.
• Set Your Budget –  Establish a realistic budget that covers everything from the venue to fun Christmas decorations and employee gifts.
• Choose a Party Theme –  Whether it's an ugly Christmas sweater contest or a Winter Wonderland, having a theme makes the planning easier and the event more cohesive.
• Secure Your Date & Venue –  If you plan on having your party offsite, remember that popular venues book up quickly during the holidays. Lock in your date and space as soon as possible.
• Decide on Food & Beverages –  Make a plan for what will be served. Some offices opt for appetizers and cocktails or a holiday-themed mocktail bar, others have a company potluck. A hot cocoa bar with marshmallows and candy canes is another cute holiday idea for your party. 
• Stock Up on Holiday Decorations –  Create a festive atmosphere with the right decor. Your office can decorate a Christmas tree together or you can make custom logo ornaments as party favors for the event. Whether you're in the office or offsite, decorations will set the mood.

Holiday Gifting at Your Office Party 

Incorporating gift-giving into your office holiday party is a thoughtful way to spread cheer and show appreciation for your team members. While your staff may exchange gifts in a white elephant or Secret Santa, company-wide gift-giving lets the boss be Santa Claus for a moment. Give your employees premium and practical gifts, like custom logo outerwear, branded gift sets, gourmet gift baskets, and cozy holiday-themed blankets. While you’re shopping, don’t forget Christmas cards for your business contacts too!

FAQs about Company Holiday Parties

Should company Christmas parties be family-friendly?

It depends on your company culture and the type of event you're hosting. If it's a casual gathering, consider inviting employees' families. You can always have a section of the party with a holiday movie marathon playing kid-friendly movies like The Grinch and Elf. 

If it's more formal or an evening event, it may be best to keep it employees-only.

What are some alternatives to gift cards for my employees?

Consider giving your employees high-end corporate gifts. Branded travel mugs, wireless chargers, fitness trackers, and high-end laptop bags are popular employee gifts. These feel more thoughtful and less generic than gift cards. For more ideas on gift giving, check out our Corporate Gift Guide. 

Is it ok to play Christmas music and Christmas movies at my holiday party?

Generally yes, but be mindful of different tastes and traditions. It’s best to mix up the playlist to include non-holiday songs and make sure movies or videos are universally enjoyable. Be respectful if an employee or event attendee declines to participate or would like to share traditions from their culture. 

Should I throw a virtual holiday party for employees who don’t work in person?

It’s important to be mindful of your employee’s time. Virtual holiday parties over Zoom or streaming calls were more accepted during 2020 than they are now. Many employees find virtual social events more of a hassle than a fun time. 

Wrapping Up Your Office Holiday Party Plans

This year, as your company begins planning its holiday gatherings, we hope we’ve given you plenty to look forward to. From creative themes and playful gift exchanges to moments of camaraderie over a shared meal, the holiday party is a time for celebration and reflection. It’s a reminder that work is more than deadlines and deliverables. It’s about the people who make it all happen, and there’s no better way to show appreciation than by giving them a holiday party to remember.