Everyone loves Christmas. A time when friends and family come together to celebrate. For many businesses, the holiday season is a great time to show employee appreciation with festive office Christmas decorations, activities, and events. But how do you decide what the best activities are for your workplace?
In this article, we’ll cover some of the best ideas for an office Christmas celebration. From fun holiday decorating projects to entertaining team-building games, there’s something for every type of business environment. Here are some tips for planning a memorable office Christmas party!
Decorations
Decorating the office for the holidays is an easy way to get everyone in the holiday mood. Put up lights, garlands, and stockings that everyone can enjoy. You could even have a contest to see who can decorate their workspace the best! Consider setting up a tree in the common area or outdoor space. The cosy, festive atmosphere is sure to please everyone.
Decorating your office will add a special touch of glamour, warmth, and charm. Hang up garlands of evergreen, ivy, or mistletoe around windows or door frames. Place colourful baubles, tinsel, and bells at strategic locations on tables or shelves. Add winter-themed figurines such as reindeer, snowmen, or polar bears around desks. LED candles, snowflake ornaments, and glittery stars can also be used to create a magical ambiance.
Activities
Office Christmas celebrations can include activities such as carolling, Secret Santa exchanges, and holiday trivia. Consider organizing a white elephant gift exchange – where everyone brings in a funny gift and takes turns picking them out of a pile – this is sure to bring lots of laughs! Or get creative with arts and crafts projects like making your own festive wreaths or Christmas cards.
You could also organize a holiday-themed game night with classic board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, or Charades. Or challenge your team to cook up something special for their colleagues – this could be anything from a festive cookie exchange to a hot chocolate bar.
Food and Drinks
No office Christmas is complete without some delicious food! Consider catering in festive treats like pies, cupcakes, and cookies. Hot drinks like mulled wine or eggnog can also help to keep people warm while they mingle.
If you’re short on time or budget, why not ask everyone to contribute by bringing in their favourite dish? This will save you money and give everyone the chance to show off their culinary skills! Make sure to include snacks that cater to different dietary needs as well. Drinks are also important – whether it’s the classic Christmassy cocktails or some non-alcoholic options.
Games
If you want to make your office Christmas celebration more interactive, consider arranging some fun holiday-themed games. In addition to classic team-building exercises, there are plenty of Christmas-specific activities that are perfect for large groups. For instance, you could organize a white elephant gift exchange or set up a scavenger hunt around the office.
These types of activities help bring people together and encourage creative thinking from all participants. Another great idea is to have an ugly Christmas sweater competition. This will give everyone a chance to show off their sense of humour and holiday spirit!
Sharing presents
If the budget allows it, consider having each employee pick out a present to share with the group. You can use this to show appreciation and involve everyone in the celebrations. You could even draw names and assign each person a specific gift-giver.
This will help ensure that everyone gets something they’ll enjoy, while also giving people the chance to show their creativity and thoughtfulness in selecting the perfect present. Make sure to include adorable corporate Christmas hampers or gift baskets filled with goodies like chocolates and cookies as well!
Secret desk decoration
For a twist on the traditional office Christmas decorations, why not have everyone decorate their own desk instead? It’s a great way to ensure everyone is involved in the festivities and create a more festive atmosphere. You could give out awards for the best desk or best team effort.
At the end of the day, your office Christmas celebration should be tailored to your workplace culture. Consider what type of activities will bring people together and evoke some holiday cheer! Whether you’re organizing a small gathering or a big bash, these tips should help ensure that everyone has a wonderful time.
Escape room
If you are looking for something a little bit more interactive and unique, why not host an office Christmas escape room? Escape rooms are incredibly popular these days and can be a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
If you are in New South Wales, consider hosting in Sydney escape room. These interactive experiences are a fantastic way to get your team into the holiday spirit. With various themes and difficulty levels, there’s an escape room to suit every group. It’s a fun and memorable way to build team bonds and create lasting memories.
No matter how you decide to celebrate the holidays at work, try to keep things light-hearted and make sure everyone feels included. That way, your office Christmas celebration will be one that everyone remembers fondly!
Photo booth
Why not create a festive photo booth to capture all the fun? Photo booths are incredibly popular and can make for some great memories that everyone can cherish. Consider decorating it with Christmas-themed props like antlers, Santa hats, and snowflakes. You could even give out prizes for the funniest or most creative photos!
This way, everyone can take a piece of the holiday spirit home with them. With these ideas in mind, you’re sure to have an office Christmas celebration everyone will remember for years to come!
Holiday Trivia
Another fun activity to add to your office Christmas celebration is holiday-themed trivia. This is a great way to engage everyone and get them in the spirit of the season. You could create your own questions or use an online quiz platform like Kahoot! or Quizizz. Once you’ve gathered enough questions, divide everyone into teams and let the games begin!
This type of game is sure to bring out everyone’s competitive side and make for some good laughs. Whoever wins can receive a special prize like a gift card or extra time off! This could motivate everyone to step up their game and really get into the holiday spirit.
Cooking sessions
If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, why not host a cooking session? Everyone can bring their favourite recipes and ingredients to whip up some tasty holiday treats. This is a great way to share old family recipes and get everyone in the kitchen together.
Ask everyone to write down the recipes they make so that everyone can take a copy home. Or, you can even have a “cook-off” competition and award prizes for the best dish! No matter what type of activity you choose, the most important thing is that everyone has fun and feels included in the celebration. With these ideas, your office Christmas will be one for the books!
Guess the co-worker
Guess the co-worker is a fun game to add to your office Christmas celebration. You can assign each person a name or object, then give everyone clues until they guess the correct answer. This is a great way for people to learn more about one another and have some laughs in the process.
You could also play other holiday-themed guessing games like “Name that Carol” or “Name that Holiday Movie” if you’re feeling extra festive! Whatever game you choose, it’s sure to bring out everyone’s competitive side while helping create an enjoyable atmosphere at your office Christmas celebration.
Movie night
Why not set up a movie night as part of your office Christmas celebration? Find a few classic holiday movies that everyone can enjoy, then get the snacks ready. This is an excellent way to relax and unwind after a long year of work.
You could even organize a movie marathon by having everyone vote on which film they’d like to watch first, second, and so on. Make sure to have plenty of popcorn and hot chocolate for the full movie experience!
Hire Santa
If you really want to go all out for your office Christmas celebration, consider hiring a Santa! He can come around to everyone’s desk or cubicle and hand out candy canes and other treats. This is sure to bring holiday cheer to the entire office as people watch in delight.
You could also have him give away prizes like gift cards or small trinkets that are sure to make everyone smile. Plus, having Santa visit will create a truly magical atmosphere at your office party!
A dance competition
Finally, no office Christmas celebration is complete without a dance competition. Have everyone dress up in Santa hats and ugly sweaters, then put on some festive music and let the games begin! You can choose a winner based on originality or crowd favourite, or just have everyone dance for fun and some good laughs.
No matter what type of activity you choose, an office Christmas party should be full of laughter and good times with co-workers. With these ideas, you’re sure to create a memorable holiday experience that everyone will love!
Conclusion
An office Christmas celebration should be fun, meaningful, and memorable. With the right decorations, activities, food & drinks, and games – you’ll create a festive atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your office Christmas party today! Happy holidays!
(First published on 29 November 2022)
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