October 30th 2024
25+ Office Holiday Event Ideas to Plan an In-Office Celebration
By Brandon Smith
Planning an office holiday event can be the highlight of the year. From festive cheer and team bonding to creating lasting memories, these celebrations offer a perfect way to say thank you for a year well spent. Whether your team loves food, games, or hands-on activities, our list of 25+ office holiday event ideas has something for every kind of office culture. Many of these experiences can even be booked directly through Officewell’s experience platform, making planning a seamless and enjoyable process.
Top Office Holiday Event Ideas
These corporate holiday party ideas are designed to fit various office cultures, whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise. From interactive activities that spark creativity to elegant soirées, there's something to suit every team's preferences. Dive into our comprehensive list to discover the perfect way to celebrate with your colleagues. Get ready to plan an unforgettable holiday experience that your team will actually want to go to!
1. Holiday Boat Cruise with a Jazz Band
Create a memorable evening with a holiday-themed boat cruise featuring live jazz. This elegant experience offers stunning city views and a unique setting that allows team members to relax and mingle away from the office. The jazz music adds sophistication, creating a perfect ambiance for toasting to another successful year. You’ll have the ability to customize your boat experience with food and other holiday-themed add-ons.
2. Chocolate Bark Making Workshop
Unleash everyone’s inner chocolatier with a chocolate bark-making workshop. Team members can customize their holiday-themed bark with toppings like peppermint, nuts, and festive sprinkles. This interactive workshop offers a sweet treat to take home or share with loved ones. Check out our chocolate experiences for booking options.
3. Hot Chocolate Cart (Or Make It Boozy!)
Warm up the office with a hot chocolate cart, complete with toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint sticks. Add an option to make it “boozy” by offering Baileys, spiced rum, or peppermint schnapps for a grown-up twist. This is a huge hit for an easy office pop-up to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
4. Holiday Movie Screening
Turn your office into a cozy mini theater with a holiday movie screening. Classics like Elf, Home Alone, and The Grinch bring out the festive spirit. Set up comfy seating, popcorn, and blankets to complete the experience. For a hassle-free setup, Officewell offers booking options to rent large movie projectors or buy-out entire theaters!
5. Gingerbread House Workshop
A gingerbread house-building workshop is a classic holiday activity that combines creativity and teamwork. Set up a station with all the supplies, from icing to gumdrops, and let teams compete for categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Holiday Spirit.” This fun activity gets everyone into the festive mood and leaves them with a delightful creation to take home.
6. Holiday Succulent Ornaments
For a modern twist on holiday decor, create succulent ornaments. These cute, eco-friendly mini succulent arrangements can be used as desk decor or hung on holiday trees. They make great keepsakes and bring a natural, festive touch to the office. Everything will be provided and setup by an expert and your team will be guided (and entertained) throughout to ensure a fun event.
7. Chocolate Truffle Making Class
Satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth with a chocolate truffle-making class. In this hands-on experience, team members can create their own truffles, choosing flavors, fillings, and toppings to suit their taste. Everyone gets to take home a box of chocolates, perfect for gifting or enjoying at home.
8. Holiday Pie Making
A pie-making workshop is a warm, comforting activity perfect for the holiday season. Let team members choose from classic holiday flavors like apple, pumpkin, and pecan. Baking together fills the office with delicious aromas and brings a bit of festive magic. Officewell has a variety of different venues you can choose from, and for certain office setups you can book this onsite!
9. Casino Night
Transform your office into a glamorous casino for a casino night. Through Officewell, you can rent tables for games like blackjack, poker, and roulette, and we can provide “play money” to encourage friendly competition. With small prizes for the winners, this event brings excitement and a touch of Vegas flair. Don't want to do it in your office? No worries. You’ll have the option to either go to a speakeasy casino or bring this to your office.
10. Cheese & Wine Tasting
Offer your team a refined experience with a cheese and wine tasting. Guided by a sommelier and cheese expert, this event introduces new flavors and pairing tips. It’s a laid-back way to celebrate the holidays and gives everyone a chance to relax and socialize.
11. Private Chef Holiday Dinner
Upgrade your holiday party with a private chef who prepares a holiday-themed menu just for your team. Some chefs even offer live demonstrations, making it an interactive dining experience. This luxury dining option adds exclusivity and a personal touch to your holiday celebration. Find the perfect chef through our private dining experiences.
12. Volunteering as a Team
Celebrate the season of giving by volunteering together. From serving meals at a shelter to wrapping gifts for charity, volunteering as a team is a fulfilling way to bond and make a positive impact. Officewell can help coordinate volunteering opportunities, so all you need to do is show up and give back.
13. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Add a bit of adventure to your celebration with a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. Teams search for hidden holiday items around neighborhoods, famous sites, or museums, earning points for each item found. This interactive activity encourages collaboration and brings a playful spirit to the holiday season.
14. Ice Skating Adventure
For a classic winter outing, take the team ice skating. Whether it’s at a local indoor rink or an outdoor winter wonderland, ice skating brings out the holiday cheer and lets everyone enjoy a nostalgic holiday pastime. Follow up with hot chocolate for the perfect end to a festive day.
15. Holiday Trivia Night
Challenge everyone’s holiday knowledge with a themed trivia night. You'll be able to pick from different holiday categories, and everything will be set up and organized by a trivia emcee. Trivia night is a fun and easy to add a competitive element to your celebration.
16. Holiday Bingo
A holiday-themed bingo game is a simple yet festive activity that brings laughter and excitement. Customize bingo cards with holiday-related items like “Santa,” “Snowman,” and “Mistletoe.” Add prizes for bingo winners to keep the energy high.
17. Cooking Classes
Cooking together creates a sense of accomplishment and bonding. Options are endless, from holiday cookie decorating to learning holiday dishes from around the world. Cooking classes are perfect for food-loving teams and bring out creativity and collaboration. Explore our cooking class options for your office holiday event.
18. Ugly Sweater Party
An ugly sweater party is a holiday classic! Have everyone come dressed in their best tacky holiday attire, and offer prizes for categories like “Most Festive” or “Most Creative.” A photo booth adds an extra touch of fun and helps capture the memories.
19. Karaoke Night
Holiday karaoke lets everyone belt out their favorite holiday songs and break the ice. Make it themed with holiday classics and pop hits, and watch as everyone’s inner performer shines. Karaoke nights are a great way to loosen up and share laughs.
20. Ornament Decorating
An ornament decorating station adds a creative, personalized touch to your office celebration. Provide blank ornaments, paints, and holiday decorations, and let everyone design their own keepsakes. It’s a simple, low-cost activity that everyone can enjoy.
21. Office Decorating Contest
Let your team deck the office halls by holding a decorating contest. Each department can decorate their workspace with lights, ornaments, and other holiday decor, competing for titles like “Most Festive” or “Best Theme.” This activity boosts team spirit and brightens up the office.
22. Holiday Cookie Swap
A holiday cookie swap brings the joy of homemade treats into the office. Have each team member bring in a batch of their favorite cookies, and set up a tasting table. Provide bags or boxes so everyone can take home a variety of cookies for the holidays.
23. Photobooth with Holiday Props
Set up a photo booth with holiday-themed props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and mistletoe. This interactive addition lets everyone capture fun holiday memories together and creates festive photo keepsakes.
24. Holiday Craft Fair
Invite local artisans to set up booths for a holiday craft fair in your office. It’s a great way to support local businesses, and team members can pick up unique, handmade gifts for their loved ones.
25. Secret Santa Gift Exchange
A Secret Santa gift exchange is a fun way to get everyone in the giving spirit. Set a budget, draw names, and let everyone pick out a small, thoughtful gift for their chosen recipient. Add an optional theme for a playful twist, like “gifts under $10” or “funny gifts.”
26. Live Entertainment
Bring in live entertainment such as magicians, comedians, or musicians to add a special touch to your office holiday event. Live performances can captivate your team and provide a shared experience that everyone will remember.
27. Themed Costume Party
Choose a holiday theme like “Winter Wonderland” or “Santa’s Workshop” and have everyone come dressed accordingly. A themed costume party adds an element of fun and creativity to your celebration. Offer prizes for the best costumes to encourage participation.
28. Board Game Tournament
Set up stations with various board games and let teams compete in a friendly tournament. Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Pictionary can be both entertaining and team-building. This low-key event is perfect for teams that enjoy strategy and a bit of competition.
29. Mixology Class
Host a mixology class where a professional bartender teaches your team how to craft holiday-themed cocktails and mocktails. It’s an interactive way to learn new skills and enjoy delicious drinks.
More on Office Holiday Event Ideas
Planning the perfect office holiday event involves more than just picking an activity. It's about understanding what brings your team together and how to make the celebration enjoyable for everyone. Below, we answer some common questions to help you plan an unforgettable event.
What is a Work Holiday Party?
A work holiday party is an event organized by a company to celebrate the holiday season with its employees. It's an opportunity to show appreciation for the team's hard work throughout the year, boost morale, and foster a sense of community within the workplace. These parties can range from casual gatherings to elaborate events, depending on the company's culture and budget.
Work holiday parties often include food, drinks, entertainment, and activities that encourage team bonding. They serve as a platform for employees to interact outside of their typical work environment, which can enhance relationships and improve teamwork.
How Do You Make a Corporate Holiday Party Fun?
Making a corporate holiday party fun involves careful planning and considering the interests of your team. Here are some tips to ensure your event is a hit:
- Choose the Right Activity: Select an activity that aligns with your team's preferences. Our list of office holiday event ideas offers a variety of options to suit different interests.
- Involve the Team in Planning: Get input from your employees on what they'd like to do. This inclusion can increase excitement and participation.
- Add Interactive Elements: Incorporate games, contests, or workshops to keep everyone engaged.
- Offer Good Food and Drinks: Quality catering can significantly enhance the event experience. Consider dietary restrictions to ensure everyone is accommodated.
- Create a Festive Atmosphere: Decorate the venue to reflect the holiday spirit. Music, lighting, and decor can set the mood.
- Provide Entertainment: Live music, DJs, or performers can add an extra layer of fun.
- Include Prizes and Giveaways: Small prizes for games or contests can boost enthusiasm.
- Make It Inclusive: Be mindful of different cultures and traditions to ensure everyone feels welcome.
How Do You Throw an Office Holiday Party?
Throwing an office holiday party involves several key steps:
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you can spend on the event, including venue, food, activities, and entertainment.
- Select a Date and Venue: Choose a date that works for most employees and book a suitable venue. If hosting in-office, plan the space accordingly.
- Plan the Menu: Decide whether to have catered food, potluck, or restaurant service. Consider festive holiday dishes and beverages.
- Choose Activities and Entertainment: Refer to our office holiday event ideas to select activities that will engage your team.
- Send Invitations: Send out invites well in advance with all the necessary details. Digital invitations can be efficient and eco-friendly.
- Decorate: Create a festive atmosphere with holiday decorations, lights, and music.
- Organize Logistics: Arrange for any equipment, supplies, or services needed, such as audio-visual gear or transportation.
- Plan for Inclusivity: Be considerate of various cultural backgrounds and make the event welcoming for all.
- Follow Up: After the party, consider sending a thank-you note or email to attendees.
Try These Office Holiday Event Ideas for Your Work Party
The holiday season is the perfect time to bring your team together and celebrate the year's achievements. With these office holiday event ideas, you have a wide array of options to create an unforgettable experience that resonates with your team's unique culture and interests.
At Officewell, we specialize in curating exceptional experiences that foster team bonding and employee happiness. Our platform offers a variety of experiences that can be customized to fit your needs, making the planning process effortless.