22 Office Holiday Party Ideas, Games, and Activities

Holiday Party Ideas, Games, and Activities
Lisa Lawrence

Written by Lisa Lawrence

Lisa Lawrence. is a certified facilitator and team building expert with over 12 years of experience in the field.  She has a passion for helping to build stronger teams and has worked with a wide range of fortune 500 businesses to improve communication and boost morale in the New York City Metro Area.

August 18, 2023

Since the holiday season planning in New Jersey is upon us, it’s time to start party planning.

In this blog, we will dive into 22 office holiday party ideas, games, and activities to help you plan.

Whether you’re looking for fun activities for your team located in New Jersey or NYC, or ways to bring some cheer into the workplace, these 22 office holiday party ideas are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Our list includes decorating contests, gift exchanges to holiday trivia, Face-2-Face Feud, and karaoke, there’s something here for everyone!

So gather around, let the festive music flow, and scan through our list of ideas.


22 Office Holiday Party Ideas, Games, and Activities

 

1.  Have a Decorating Contest

You’ll have a blast competing in decorating contests to transform the office into a winter wonderland.

Get your colleagues in the holiday spirit by having everyone bring their own ornaments, adornments, and embellishments.

Then, have each team take turns setting up their own decorations and let the judging begin! The team with the best display of holiday cheer gets bragging rights for the rest of the year.

It’s sure to be an enjoyable competition that will get everyone’s Christmas spirits soaring.

Plus, it gives employees a chance to showcase their creativity and get into the spirit of giving by donating any unused decorations to charity after the contest is over.

2.  Holiday Themed Bingo

Everyone loves bingo, right?  Spice up your festivities with a fun round of holiday-themed bingo! You’ll be sure to have a good time as you search for festive items on your card.

Whether you’re hosting an in-person or virtual holiday party, bingo is a great way to get everyone involved and feeling the season’s cheer.

Get creative with seasonal images and phrases like snowflakes, sleigh bells, Santa Claus, hot cocoa, Christmas trees, and more.

Assemble everyone into small groups or pairs so that they can mark off their cards together while enjoying each other’s company.

Make sure there are plenty of prizes up for grabs such as candy canes, hot chocolate mix packets, ornaments, gift cards, and more.

These gifts will make it extra special for everyone who takes home a win!

 

3.  Conduct a Gift Exchange or Secret Santa

Gift Exchange

Gift exchanges are a great way to get your friends and family in the festive mood!

What could be better than sharing presents, spending time together, and having some good old fashioned fun?

Gift exchanges can also be an excellent team-building exercise.

Working together to select gifts for each other, it helps to promote teamwork development and collaboration among co-workers.

Not only that, but it also adds an element of surprise and excitement to any office holiday celebration.

Gift exchanges can help bring everyone closer together while celebrating the joyous season with laughter, love, and cheer.

4.  Trivia Night – Game Show Mania

Trivia - Game show Mania

Put your knowledge to the test with a fun-filled trivia night! See who in your group has the best facts and figures, and find out who’s the smartest of them all.

Organizing a trivia night for your office holiday party is one of the best work party ideas out there! Not only will it get everyone involved, but it also encourages friendly competition.

This is How You do it

Break everybody up into teams and ask questions on topics ranging from current events to corporate culture to pop culture.

Whoever answers the most questions correctly wins a prize! You can even tailor the trivia questions to fit with any theme you have for your corporate holiday party.

It’s an easy way to make sure everyone has a great time while learning interesting concepts or suggestions about each other and their business.

5.  Host a Christmas Carol Karaoke Contest

Sing your favorite Christmas carols with friends and family for an unforgettable holiday experience! Christmas Carol Karaoke is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and have some laughs at your office party for a prize.

Set up a karaoke machine, or just use what’s already available on your phone or laptop. Choose popular Christmas favorites that everyone can sing along to, like “Jingle Bells”, “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “Frosty the Snowman”.

Get creative by making it into a game; assign points for each performance based on how well you sang the song and how much audience applause you received.

To make it more fun, create teams, and let participants dress up in festive costumes related to their chosen songs. You could also give out prizes for best dressed and best vocalist!

 

6.  Ugly Sweater Fashion Show

Ugly Sweater Contest

Now that it’s time to break out the ugly sweaters, This office holiday party idea has become somewhat of a traditional activity!

An Ugly Sweater Fashion Show is a great way to get your office into the holiday spirit and have some laughs. It’s easy to organize and you don’t need too many supplies either. Here’s how:

Pre-Party Party Time Post-Party
Ask participants to bring an ugly sweater of their own or provide enough for everyone in the office Have each participant wear their sweater and ask colleagues to vote on who has the ugliest one. Award a prize like a gift card or something festive for the winner Donate any leftover sweaters, if any, or put them back in storage for next year.|

To kick off the fun, you can also host an Ugly Sweater Design Workshop with construction paper, markers, buttons, fabric paint – anything goes!

Don’t forget some classic Christmas tunes as background music while people parade around in their sweaters.

Just try not to laugh too hard when someone comes out wearing a particularly outrageous one!

7.  Holiday Movie Trivia

Test your holiday knowledge with a festive round of Holiday Movie Trivia! Challenge yourself and your friends to recall all the classic Christmas films.

This is a great activity to add to your corporate holiday party. It’s not only enjoyable, but it can also serve as an icebreaker if you have guests who may not know each other well.

Everyone loves movies, so why not use this game to get everyone in the spirit? It’s sure to bring some laughs and good times that will make any gathering more jolly and generous.

 

8.  Hot Cocoa Bar

Let the warmth of a hot cocoa bar bring everyone together in cozy cheer. With festive flavors and toppings, your office holiday party will be sure to impress!

Here are some ideas and inspirations for setting up the perfect hot cocoa bar:

  • Offer seasonal favorites like peppermint, gingerbread, eggnog, or salted caramel
  • Set out an array of toppings like marshmallows, crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, or drizzles of caramel sauce.
  • Provide dippers like biscotti or pretzels for a unique twist on traditional hot cocoa-drinking activities!

By having guests make their own creations with these delicious ingredients and fun activities, they’ll be sure to get in the holiday spirit. Have them vote on their favorite combinations for an extra dose of festive fun!

A hot cocoa bar is a great way to add a little flavor to your office holiday party and create lasting memories that everyone will enjoy.

 

9.  Gingerbread House-Making Contest

Show off your creative side by joining in on the gingerbread house-making contest!

Whether you’re part of a large company, organization, or small group that makes up your team, it maybe a challenge for everyone to construct a festive gingerbread house.

Furthermore, the competition aspect makes this activity even more enjoyable as people strive to craft the most unique and beautiful gingerbread house ever made.

 

10.  60-Second – Minute to Win It Games with Prizes

 

 

Why not heat up your event with some exciting 60-second games that come with prizes?

Put a smile on everyone’s face by giving away unexpected trinkets to the winners of these fun activities! Here are three ideas to get you started:

  • **Holiday Charades** – Split guests into teams and have them act out popular holiday movies, songs, and characters. The team who guesses correctly first wins!
  • **Gift Wrapping Contest** – Challenge teams to see who can wrap their present the fastest. Tip: make sure each team starts with identical materials so it’s fair for everybody!
  • **Hot Cocoa Relay Race** – Divide your guests into two teams and challenge them to race against each other while carrying cups of hot cocoa.
    The team that reaches the finish line without spilling any cocoa is the winner!

Make sure everyone has a chance at winning by designing simple yet challenging games that will put their skills to the test in a festive way.

With exciting prizes up for grabs, your office party will be one merry occasion!

 

11.  Cookie Exchange

Cookie Exchange

Gather your friends and family around for a delicious cookie exchange this holiday season!

Not only is it an easy way to get everyone together, but it’s also a great opportunity to bring out the bakers in each of us.

Everyone can make their favorite cookies or special holiday treats, then come together with enough for all.

Have everyone bring a festive treat and they can swap recipes as well as goodies.

Don’t forget to have ingredients on hand so that everyone can recreate their new favorites at home.

With something for everyone, you’ll be sure to bring the joy of the holidays into your office party!

12.  Reindeer Games

You and your loved ones can have a blast this season by playing some fun reindeer games!

Create an obstacle course filled with festive obstacles such as toy sleighs, candy cane hurdles, and snowflake limbo. Make it competitive with teams or races against the clock!

You could also build a giant gingerbread house together by assigning each person a task to complete, like decorating the walls or adding frosting to the roof.

For something more lighthearted, play Pin the Nose on Rudolph or take turns telling Santa jokes.  Just be a kid again, even if it’s just for one night.

No reindeer game would be complete without singing Christmas carols together.  You’re sure to get everyone in the festive mood!

 

13.  White Elephant Gift Exchange

Make your holiday gathering even more fun with a hilarious white elephant gift exchange!

It’s simple: each person brings a wrapped gift to put into the pool, then draws numbers from a bowl or hat.

Starting with whoever drew number one, they can pick from the pile of gifts and open it; or they can choose to “steal” an opened gift already claimed by someone else. Players take turns stealing or choosing until all gifts are opened.

Here are some tips for making your White Elephant Gift Exchange special:

  • Keep gifts humorous, light, and inexpensive – no one likes getting stuck with something they don’t want!
  • Encourage guests to bring something that has sentimental value or is handmade.
  • Make sure there’s enough time for people to “steal” their favorite gifts.
  • Have prizes ready for any guest who gets their original choice back at the end

This game is usually played after a fun-filled group activity to end the festivities with lots of laughter.

 

14.  Reindeer Races

Get your colleagues in the competitive spirit with a fun game of reindeer races.  To play, you’ll need some red and white pom-poms or paper plates to act as antlers for each player.

Divide your office into two teams and have each team line up.  At the start of the race, give each teammate a pair of antlers and have them “run” from one end of the room to the other while wearing their makeshift deer headgear. The first team to finish wins.

Reindeer Races is a simple game and is sure to be a hit at your holiday office party, providing a little friendly competition.

Here are four simple steps to make it happen:

  1. Gather supplies – You can use pom-poms or paper plates as antlers for each player.
  2. Divide into teams – Split up your office mates into two even groups.
  3. Put on antlers – Hand out an equal number of antlers (or pom-poms) to each teammate in both teams.
  4. Race! – Start the race by having everyone run from one end of the room to the other while wearing their antler headgear.

15.  DIY Christmas Ornaments

Why not make your own Christmas ornaments this year? It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your holiday decorations!

Whether you’re looking for a fun group activity, or just want to add some festive cheer to your office space, DIY Christmas ornaments are the perfect choice.

Grab some materials from around the house like pipe cleaners, construction paper, felt, and string, then let your imagination run wild.

You can create everything from snowflakes and stockings to candy canes and Santas!

With these homemade decorations in place, you’ll be sure to put everyone in the holiday mood.

 

16.  Christmas Scavenger Hunt

A Christmas scavenger hunt is a great way to bring people together during the holiday season.

You can set up a list of seasonal items for your guests to find around the office, or even let them explore outside if possible.

Split everyone into teams and have them race against each other, or just go through it at their own pace – either way, they’re bound to have lots of fun!

To make it even more exciting, you could hide little gifts such as candy canes and chocolate coins along the way for extra points.

 

17.  Holiday Themed Face-2-Face Feud

Holiday Feud

Test your team’s holiday knowledge with a festive Face-2-Face Feud style game.

Why not come together and share some laughs over holiday-themed surveys?

Here are 3 fun ideas to get in the spirit of the season:

1. Prep some survey-style questions about classic Christmas movies like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ or ‘Love Actually’.
2. Create a quiz around Santa Claus-related facts, such as what color are his traditional suit and boots?
3. Ask questions about popular winter traditions like caroling, decorating gingerbread houses, or sending out greeting cards.
4. Just let your hair down and get creative with general surveys about pop culture of today.

Family Feud survey questions are an exciting way to bring everyone in the office closer together while also discovering new things about the holiday season!

It’ll definitely be an occasion that your colleagues won’t forget anytime soon.

Make sure to add cool prizes worth competing for.

18.  Holiday Charades

Invite your friends and family to join in on a fun game of holiday charades – it’s the perfect way to liven up your festive gathering!

Divide into teams, pick an actor from each team, and assign them holiday-themed topics such as Christmas carols or movies. The actors must act out their topic without speaking.

Their teammates must guess what they are acting out within a set amount of time. Charades is a great way for everyone to get involved and have some good old-fashioned laughs!

This activity will be sure to bring lots of joy and cheer to the party – so don’t forget the eggnog!

 

19.  Paper Snowflakes

paper snowflakes

 

After playing an exciting round of Holiday Charades, why not switch things up with a fun and creative paper snowflake activity?

Yes, it’s time to get crafty and have some winter fun! You’ll just need some white construction paper and scissors to get started.

Cut the paper into simple snowflake shapes – try making them in different sizes for extra flair.

Once everyone has their own unique snowflakes, encourage your coworkers to decorate them with colorful markers or glitter.

It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit while expressing your creativity!

 

 

20.  Holiday Themed Photo Booth

Hosting a holiday-themed photo booth is the perfect way to inject some festive fun into any gathering!

Guests will love getting in front of the camera, striking a pose, and showing off their seasonal spirit. Get creative with props like Christmas hats, tinsel halos, and oversized candy canes.

Encourage everyone to dress up in their favorite holiday sweaters or get silly with Santa beards and reindeer antlers.

Add some personalized touches by printing out a background featuring your company’s logo or a classic holiday greeting. You’ll have all of your guests smiling from ear to ear as they snap away!

Make sure you capture the moment with plenty of photos for everyone to take home and share online.

Have each guest sign a scrapbook page to commemorate the occasion or create an album for them on social media so that they can keep the festivities alive throughout the season.

Setting up a booth might just be one of the most jolly activities you could plan for your office party.  It’s sure to get your team feeling merry in no time

!

21.  Board Games

Why not challenge your coworkers to a round of board games and have some competitive fun?

Enjoy some friendly rivalry while you sip on eggnog and munch on holiday treats.

Nothing is more festive than playing Monopoly, Scrabble, or any other classic board game that everyone can enjoy.

If you’re looking for something new, try out Werewolf or Codenames.  They’re sure to bring life to your office party!

Not only will these games provide entertainment, but they’ll also give everyone an opportunity to get to know each other better in a relaxed atmosphere.

So gather around the table and get ready for a good time — it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!

 

22.  Holiday Karaoke – Lip Sync Challenge

Holiday Karoke

Get ready to show off your singing skills with a fun round of holiday karaoke! There’s nothing like belting out some festive tunes to get in the holiday spirit.

So put on your Santa hat, grab the microphone, and choose from these 4 karaoke classics:

1. Jingle Bell Rock
2. All I Want for Christmas is You
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
4. Feliz Navidad

You can even make it into a competition among co-workers or teams.  Who’ll be crowned the office’s best singer? Step up to the mic and let it rip!

Whether you’re an experienced crooner or just looking for an excuse to have some fun,

Holiday Karaoke will bring everyone together in jolly cheer and spread good tidings throughout the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

frequently asked questions

frequently asked questions

 

 

What is the best way to ensure everyone has a good time at the office holiday party?

You want to make sure everyone has a good time at your office holiday party! The best way to do this is by making sure there’s something for everyone.

Whether it’s festive decorations, fun music, delicious snacks, or exciting activities, give people the opportunity to have a great time and get into the holiday spirit.

Planning ahead can help you create an enjoyable experience that’ll be remembered by all of your colleagues.

What supplies are needed for each of the games and activities?

You’ll need to get the right supplies to ensure your office holiday party games and activities are a success! Depending on what you plan on doing, you could need anything from decorations, music, food items, or craft supplies.

Make sure you check before the party to make sure everyone has all they need for their activity or game.

Have fun and be generous; that’s the best way to bring in the holiday spirit.

How much time should be allocated for each activity?

When planning your office holiday party, it’s important to consider how much time should be allocated for each activity.

Each game or activity should be allotted an appropriate amount of time so that the party can flow smoothly and everyone can have a great time. You can determine this by considering the size of your group and the complexity of each game or activity.

Depending on what you choose, you may need to adjust the timing accordingly.  Usually, half a day is allotted to the company holiday party around 1-5 pm, that way everyone goes home afterward in a good mood.

How should the Secret Santa game be organized?

Organizing a Secret Santa game is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! It’s easy and fun for everyone involved.

Start by having each participant write their name on a piece of paper and put it in a hat or bowl. Then, have each person draw another name from the hat without looking at it. That name is the person they’ll be buying a gift for!

Make sure to set an affordable dollar limit ($25 or less) for gifts so that everyone can participate.

Finally, assign an appointed day for exchanging gifts and enjoying the holiday cheer!  Usually, the gift exchange is held at a holiday party and done right after the entertainment.

Are there any age-appropriate activities for younger participants?

You’ll want to make sure that all of your holiday party attendees, no matter their age, have a great time!

If you have younger participants attending the event, there are plenty of activities they can enjoy. Try setting up an arts and crafts station with supplies like foam stickers, construction paper, and pipe cleaners.

A scavenger hunt is another fun activity where you can hide candy or trinkets around the office for the kids to find.

And don’t forget to include some classic holiday-themed games like Pin the Star on the Tree or musical chairs.

 

Key Takeaways

Now that we gave you 22 office holiday party ideas, games, and activities, it’s time to start planning for the ultimate holiday office party! With these, you can’t go wrong.

Whether it’s a game of bingo, karaoke, a gift exchange, or Family Feud, you’ll be sure to create some memorable moments with your team.

And don’t forget to have fun.  The Grinch can stay home, after all, this is a festive celebration.

So crank up the holiday tunes and gather ’round for some seasonal cheer.

Enjoy the festivities and make sure everyone goes home feeling merry.

 

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