Small office Christmas party ideas done right create connection, boost morale, and give your team a memorable way to wrap up the year. The perfect holiday gathering will energize your staff and set the tone for a strong start to the new year. Finding a plan that aligns with your team's spirit is the best way to spread holiday cheer. The right ideas make all the difference, whether you go for a low-key company Christmas party or surprise your team with something special.
Taking your team off-site gives everyone a chance to let their hair down and feel comfortable outside the confines of the office walls. The following ideas are perfect alone or as part of a longer day or evening plan.
Escape rooms are ideal for corporate team-building events, as they offer a wonderful mix of intrigue, challenge, and fun. Our escape rooms cover all the bases, including comedy, fantasy, adventure, and mystery quests. Diverse teams will be engaged, build team bonds, and create lasting memories with the option of Christmas-themed escape rooms or non-themed scenarios.
Fun comedy escape rooms are a perfect choice for an office Christmas party, as they offer a light-hearted way to bond with your team in an atmosphere that will appeal to everyone. For example, why not take on one of these fun-filled challenges:
The thrilling Amnesia will stretch your team’s logic and guile as they try to save their professor from a terrifying fate. Your instincts tell you he’s been kidnapped by his test subjects in a psychology lab. Your team must find out what happened, save the professor, and save yourselves from the same fate before time runs out!
Alternatively, take on our bewitching Malediction escape room. You and your team will find yourselves transported to a mystical wood, where you hear whispers of a cursed tale. An evil witch lives in the very forest you and your team are in, and turned a brave warrior into stone. Your team will suffer the same destiny unless they break into the witch’s cabin and brew a magical elixir that will save the warrior—and yourselves—from an eternal, stony fate!
Quest Room is an ideal way to kick off a day or night of fun activities for your team. It’s sure to make for a thrilling talking point as you finish your challenge and head out to one of LA’s restaurants or kick back at one of the local bars.
A cocktail class brings a whole new meaning to "holiday spirit." Many trendy cocktail bars or distilleries offer classes to teach your team to craft the perfect seasonal cocktails. This could be a wonderful icebreaker to kick off an evening out or as a standalone plan. Remain sensitive to any cultural or religious differences when planning any event with alcohol. Learning to make a delicious seasonal mocktail is an ideal solution!
A comedy club is the perfect way to start an evening out, with humor and lighthearted fun the name of the game. Book a private show for slightly larger offices or blend in with the crowd as you let the good times roll.
Dinner cruises are growing in popularity around the holiday season. These cruises offer a picturesque setting for mingling before a formal sit-down dinner or less formal, canapé-style dining. A cruise is a wonderful way for colleagues to connect with each other, share anecdotes, and appreciate what they have in common. This classy way of strengthening bonds is bound to be a winner!
Teams within driving distance of wine country will love a vineyard tour. This unique idea is perfect for sharing a memorable experience before taking part in a private tasting. Many vineyards offer private spaces to rent. These will be excellent places to enjoy live music, a gourmet meal, and of course, an ample flow of delicious wine!
Bowling or going to a retro arcade is a wonderful way to inject whimsical joy into your holiday work party. These plans are sure to bring back fond childhood memories and are an interactive and fun way to spend an evening with your team. Add to the fun by adding prizes, team tournaments, or holiday-themed competitions for a fun-filled and memorable Christmas party activity.
An art or pottery workshop offers a relaxing, hands-on plan for a range of personalities. Offer your teammates a creative space to make gifts or a Christmas tree decoration that will become part of their or a loved one's holiday traditions. This low-key plan gives your team a chance to bond and chat while expressing themselves creatively. Follow the workshop with lunch, dinner, or drinks for a plan that appeals to your whole team.
Get your team involved in a volunteering event for a charity in your community. This could involve anything from donating your services for a day to taking part in a gift drive or a charity auction. Make your day festive with fun elements like an ugly sweater competition, Christmas carols, and festive food and drink to keep your charity day lighthearted and fun for all.
An in-house office Christmas party is the highlight of many offices’ social calendars. Switch up the vibes every year to keep your annual festivities fresh. Think carefully about your team's personalities and the dynamics between individuals or departments. This will help you choose games and activities that hit the right note.
Holding a Winter Olympics is one of the best corporate holiday party ideas for offices searching for fun but inclusive activities. Turn your office into the greatest event on earth with mini-competitions throughout the day. This could include a paper snowball toss, rubber band biathlon, or office chair curling. Take game suggestions from staff for a truly unique event!
Separate your group into at least two teams who race to wrap a present with only one hand, blindfolded, or with difficult-to-wrap materials. This is a game that guarantees laughs and is perfect before an office gift exchange.
Gift-giving is an important part of many office parties and is a practice that transcends religion or culture. Business owners with a diverse workforce could consider making "Secret Santa" more inclusive simply by changing the name. Choose a budget and exchange gifts and best wishes in a heartfelt part of your Christmas party.
A winter book exchange is an inclusive alternative to Secret Santa. Each person brings a wrapped book they love or recommend. Draw numbers and give out books as part of a relaxed twist on holiday gifting.
Give out small prizes by drawing names or raffle tickets during the final party. Make sure everyone leaves with a surprise, no matter how small!
A scavenger hunt is a fun way to bring your office to life. Hide small ornaments, candies, and clues around the office (or around your neighborhood) for your teams to find. Teams race to solve puzzles, riddles, and find the hidden items before ending with a code to crack. Scavenger hunts are perfect for small offices as they promote team bonding and add a longer and competitive game to the event. A guaranteed winner!
A desk or office decorating contest is the perfect way to ensure your office is beautifully decorated. Split your team into departments or groups and challenge them to make and arrange holiday decorations for their cubicles or departments. The culmination will be a walkaround and a vote on the winners.
Tip: Suggest a theme like winter wonderland or Santa's workshop for an extra challenge.
Set up a small stage and let the karaoke battle commence as two teams compete in rounds to find the best voice in the office. Choose from classic carols, holiday-themed songs, or free choice; whichever fits your office’s vibes best!
Invite your team to bake and bring their favourite holiday dessert before the all-important tasting session. Make this a mainstay office party event by changing the category every year. “Nostalgic Childhood Treats,” “Chocaholics’ Delight,” or “Global Desserts” make for a delicious addition.
A Santa’s workshop team build is sure to bring back fond memories of school days. It’s a fun and interactive activity with a competitive edge. Give your teams craft supplies like paper, tape, bows, cardboard, and glue. Challenge them to build the tallest Christmas tree, a sleigh, or another Christmas mainstay within a time limit. Make it even more challenging by testing the builds after. Can your team's Christmas tree hold up a star, or can their sleighs carry a gift the length of the meeting room?
Harmonious offices are built on a foundation of trust and respect. Research suggests that workplace friendships contribute in many ways to improving how offices run. These include sharing support and resources, making employees feel comfortable about completing tasks, managing stress, improving cooperation, and increasing effective communication.
Your Christmas party—and other social activities throughout the year—are key parts of fostering friendships and positive bonds that contribute to your team’s success year-round. See our Christmas party ideas for team-building for inspiration.
Some small offices prefer to stagger their festivities over several weeks instead of having one party.
A holiday breakfast is an excellent alternative to organizing an evening event. Set up a catered breakfast in-house or at a neutral venue. Make sure your tables are set up for maximum interaction and enjoy a delicious start to the day.
Set up board games around your office with a well-stocked drinks and snacks station. You could have this type of zone set up throughout the seasonal period for a low-key but high-impact way for colleagues to connect with each other.
Your office Christmas party should be one of the highlights of the year. It's an event that brings people together and provides laughs, special memories, and festive fun to last throughout the year. However, this is only possible if everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and included. Many teams' strength comes from their diversity. Your team's different backgrounds and traditions must be reflected in your office parties by respecting different beliefs, needs, and personalities. Keep your office party inclusive with these pointers:
Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Calling your party a Holiday Party, Winter Celebration, or End-of-Year Gathering lets your whole group know they're welcome in the festivities and avoids potentially awkward misunderstandings. Using inclusive language is a small shift that will make all the difference to some members of your team.
Plan for inclusivity when organizing food and drink for your party. This could include vegetarian or vegan dishes, being aware of allergies, or providing halal or kosher options. Don't be afraid to consult your colleagues about their needs before the party; this shows you're taking them into account. Be mindful of your team's attitudes towards alcohol, too. Some may not partake for cultural or religious reasons; others may have personal reasons for not drinking. Either way, treat the issue sensitively and provide a range of non-alcoholic beverages. A gourmet hot cocoa bar makes for a delectable festive delight for drinkers and teetotalers alike.
Every team has a unique mix of introverts and extroverts. While some colleagues will relish taking part in all the activities, others will inevitably prefer to play a more low-key role. Plan for activities that allow for varying levels of involvement and understand that some activities aren't for everyone.
Sticking to winter or year-end party themes is the best bet in diverse offices. Remember, you can create a magical festive atmosphere at work without religion-specific decorations, music, or rituals. Hang up holiday lights, snowflakes, and seasonal colors to capture the special time of year without uncomfortable religious references.
Ensure your venue or the activity you choose accommodates mobility devices as necessary. Consider your team's physical requirements by choosing places with accessible bathrooms, ample seating options, and quiet areas. Consult any colleagues with accessibility needs privately to make sure they're taken care of during the festivities.
Not everyone loves high-energy games or dancing. Offering a mix of activities, including games, a festive photo booth, crafts, trivia, and chill-out zones, is the best foundation for a successful party.
A memorable office party doesn't depend on the size of your team but on thoughtful planning and activities that help your team relax, laugh, and connect. You will create a celebration that feels special for everyone with activities and traditions that create lasting bonds. Be mindful of inclusivity and meeting your team's needs to make your holiday gathering a success. Set the stage for an energized and united start to the new year with festivities that see out the old year with a bang.
Ivan is an expert in escape room design and development for almost a decade. He and his team have developed dozens of 5-star escape rooms across multiple genres in the United States, focusing on amazing live experience and unforgettable storytelling.
Engaging team-building Christmas party ideas are the perfect way to bring the year to an end in style. A festive event will lift spirits, encourage collaboration, and wrap up your activities on a high note. There are countless ways to mix fun with teamwork that don't recycle tired Christmas traditio
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