It’s the one time of year when you get to see Angela from accounting show off her dance moves or Toby from HR play bartender for everyone. We’re talking about the yearly office holiday party, of course! And if you’re in charge of planning it, we have a bunch of fun but simple work Christmas party ideas that will make it a memorable event.
Jingle up your workspace
When choosing colors for your party, stick with the classics like red, green, gold, or silver—they work with any theme. Throw in some glittery pieces for a touch of glam. Use traditional colors with a hint of sparkle to turn your space into a winter wonderland where elegance meets festivity.
Deck the walls
Looking to give those expansive office walls a touch of holiday warmth? Dive into the crafty world of festive wall decor! An easy and oversized “Holly Wall” craft is a breeze to put together. Hang the backdrop behind the food table, adding a subtle yet merry touch to the gathering.
DIY garlands can effortlessly transform walls, doorways, and windows into festive focal points. Whether it’s stockings, pom-pom balls, paper, or ornaments, there’s a world of options to craft simple, inviting decor for your holiday party.
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Up on the desktop
Elaborate decorations aren’t necessary, but adding some Christmas-themed touches will help enhance the office’s holiday spirit! Sprucing up your office’s holiday vibe can be as easy as adding a touch of Christmas charm to tables or desks.
Imagine bowls or vases filled with ornaments and lights effortlessly enhancing your workspace. If your office leans toward a more modern aesthetic, consider the simplicity of “trees” made from colorful scrapbook paper—a straightforward craft requiring just some cutting and taping.
Some crafty luminaries are a quick five-minute DIY for those favoring a rustic feel. Line up a few on each table, and you’ve got a warm centerpiece for your company’s Christmas party. Let the holiday spirit subtly shine!
Find a seat at the table
Keep it simple and elegant with holiday-themed table settings that perfectly balance festive and professional. Consider incorporating subtle touches like red and green accents, elegant napkin folds, and perhaps a sprinkle of holiday-themed confetti.
If you feel crafty, handmade place cards or personalized touches can add a warm, personal vibe to the setting. Remember, it’s all about fostering a sense of holiday cheer without overwhelming the workspace.
Prepare a merry menu
Your office holiday party menu should cater to various tastes, ensuring something delightful for everyone. Consider dietary preferences, and if possible, throw in a touch of local or international flair to make the culinary experience truly memorable. The key is to create a menu that satisfies appetites and adds to the overall merriment of the occasion, turning your holiday corporate party into a feast to remember.
Offer savory bites
Embrace the spirit of the season with a mix of comfort foods and elegant choices. Hearty appetizers are perfect for eating and mingling! Try bacon-wrapped little smokies and pizza bites paired with sophisticated choices like sundried tomato pesto phyllo pastries.
Set out sweet treats
And let’s not overlook the sweetest part—dessert! The holiday season calls for winter-themed treats that add a touch of magic to your office Christmas party ideas.
Prepare some adorable sugar cookies that resemble delightful snowballs. These add a flurry of sweetness to the festivities. When displayed in a festive bucket, they also make adorable centerpieces for tables!
Next, there’s the chocolate-peppermint brownies for a festive spin on a classic. Take your basic chocolate brownies, infuse them with a hint of peppermint extract, and crown them with crushed candy canes for an extra dash of holiday cheer. Of course, we understand that peppermint might not be everyone’s cup of cocoa, so why not whip up a batch of plain brownies, too?
🍪 You might also like: 18 Unique Twists on Traditional Holiday Treats
Shake up delicious drinks
Take your company Christmas party to a whole new level with a hot chocolate bar that promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Imagine an array of chocolates and toppings, inviting your team members to craft their own dreamy, delicious hot cocoa. Amp up the festive vibes with candy canes or cinnamon stir sticks for that perfect finishing touch to your cocoa bar masterpiece.
And because every company celebration needs a dose of spirited fun, let loose with some adult cocktails! If budget allows, book an exciting flair bartender to add a dash of entertainment. A professional bartender can help lead a sophisticated wine tasting for a low-key activity.
A winter holiday sangria would be a delightful addition to the menu to ensure your holiday office party is filled with warmth, cheer, and a hint of wintery spirit. You can also offer mocktails for those who want to be included in the fun without the alcohol.
Play Christmas party games
Ready to sleigh your office holiday bash? Inject some festive flair with Christmas party games that turn coworkers into holiday heroes! Think “Minute to Win It” madness! Watch Kevin balance ornaments on his nose and Phyllis master cup-stacking finesse.
The shared laughter, camaraderie, and triumphs of these team-building activities will make your party the talk of the water cooler. Who said work can’t be both productive and playful? These games definitely deserve a spot in your office party ideas.
🔔 Jingle Bell Rock & Roll
Supplies: Ball ornaments and jingle bells
How to play: Place five ball ornaments lined up on the end of a table and give the player 10 jingle bells. Then, have them stand on the opposite end of the rectangle table. To play, players must roll their jingle bells from one end of the table and attempt to knock off all five ornaments from the opposite end of the table. Think of it as a Christmas shuffleboard!
🦌 Rudolph Race
Supplies: Red poms, spoons, Vaseline, and Rudolph poster
How to play: Give each player a red pom and a spoonful of Vaseline. Players must race to be the first person to put a red pom on Rudolph’s nose on the other side of the room! To play, players must dip their noses into the spoonful of Vaseline and get the red pom to stick. Once the red pom is on their nose, they must move across the room and stick it to Rudolph’s nose. (Be sure to put a little Vaseline on his nose as well). The catch? They can’t use their hands at any time!
⛄ Snowman Shake
Supplies: White ping-pong balls or ball ornaments, tissue boxes, duct tape, and pantyhose
How to play: Decorate white ping-pong balls to look like snowmen. Fill an empty tissue box with the snowmen ping-pong balls and tape the tissue box to someone’s backside. You can also use a velcro belt glued to the box. To play, the player must shake all the snowmen out of the tissue box before the time runs out! If you’d rather not decorate like snowmen, use ornaments instead.
🎲 Looking for more activities to add to your holiday party ideas? Check out our unique Christmas party games.
Book Christmas party entertainment
Is there a bit of wiggle room in the budget? Sprinkle some extra cheer on your office shindig with a touch of holiday entertainment! Imagine the office buzz when live music sets the vibe, or a magician works their mysterious charm. It’s not about breaking the bank but adding a little sparkle to the celebration.
Add some traditional holiday characters
Embrace the festive spirit at your office Christmas party with a sprinkle of holiday magic! Consider bringing Santa Claus into the mix—he’s not just for the little ones! Ol’ Saint Nick can add a jolly touch by handing out presents, participating in Secret Santa gift exchanges, posing for pictures, and even revealing who made the “Naughty or Nice” list. For an extra dose of yuletide charm, book both Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Alternatively, transport your celebration to the pages of a Dickens novel by hiring traditional Christmas carolers dressed in Victorian garb to serenade your gathering with all-time holiday favorites. If you aim to fill the air with harmonious melodies, an a capella group can provide an enchanting vocal backdrop to make your office party unforgettable. Let the holiday festivities unfold with a dash of Christmas cheer!
🎅 Read this: Book Santa Claus to Bring the Jolly to Your Corporate Event
Set a spirited soundtrack
Elevate the sophistication of your company Christmas party with the refined touch of a holiday jazz band or classical ensemble, setting the stage for a truly festive ambiance. Whether as background music or the main event, live musicians bring a touch of class to your celebration.
If your crowd is fun-loving, consider a singing pianist who can lead the group in spirited renditions of Christmas songs. Alternatively, unleash the vocal prowess of your colleagues with a karaoke DJ, turning your gathering into a harmonious showcase of traditional holiday tunes.
Think outside the gift box
Why not add a dash of the extraordinary to your office Christmas party? Consider breaking away from the usual routine and introducing a hypnotist or magician to infuse a sense of wonder and amusement into the festivities. It’s a delightful departure from the ordinary, offering a unique and interactive experience that will captivate your crowd.
If your team enjoys a good laugh, hire a professional corporate comedian to deliver holiday-themed humor, ensuring a night filled with laughter and merriment. For a more interactive approach, host a murder mystery dinner or escape room, letting colleagues become sleuths for the evening as they unravel a festive-themed whodunit.
With delicious food, fun activities, and the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your colleagues, you will surely have a blast at your company’s Christmas party! Your team has been looking forward to this event for a long time, so make it a celebration to remember. 🥂
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.