The holiday season is a special time when businesses take a break from the hustle and bustle to celebrate with their employees. A Christmas party is more than just an opportunity for socializing; it’s a great way to recognise achievements, promote team bonding, and spread the Christmas spirit throughout the workplace.
Whether you’re planning an elaborate event or something more low-key, the key is to ensure that your work Christmas party reflects your company culture, includes fun activities, and allows your team to unwind after a year of hard work. This guide will help you explore Christmas party ideas for work, covering everything from themes to games.
Organising a Christmas party for a small to medium-sized business is no easy feat! You have too many employees for a small gathering but not enough to plan a big blowout, so how do you celebrate Christmas in a way everyone enjoys? As seasoned party planners and Christmas caterers, we have a few ideas to work up our sleeves. So please put on your party hat, and let’s get planning!
Why celebrate a Christmas in the office?
Work Christmas parties are more than just fun; they’re about celebrating your team’s achievements over the past year and boosting morale as you head into the next. These gatherings create lasting memories and strengthen the sense of camaraderie among employees. A well-planned Christmas party is an excellent way to acknowledge the team’s hard work and give them a chance to bond outside the usual work environment.
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Planning and Preparation
Planning and preparation are crucial to hosting a successful work Christmas party. Here are some tips to help you get started.
You can throw a work Christmas party with any budget
Whether you have a huge budget for the holiday work party or not, you can still throw a fantastic party to show your team your appreciation at the end of the year. Consider incorporating Christmas games like Holiday Trivia to engage your team without breaking the bank. Consider incorporating staff Christmas party ideas like a DIY escape room to foster teamwork and communication.
Setting a Budget
Setting a budget ensures your work Christmas party stays within your means. When allocating funds, consider the number of guests, venue, food, drinks, and entertainment. A general rule of thumb is to allocate $50-$200 per person for a standard work Christmas party. However, this amount can vary depending on the type of party you’re planning.
Start by listing all potential expenses and prioritizing them based on importance. For example, if you want to splurge on a fantastic venue, you might need to cut back on other areas like decorations or entertainment.
Alternatively, if you’re planning a more low-key event, you can allocate more funds towards high-quality food and drinks. The key is to balance your budget to maximise enjoyment without overspending.
Choosing a Date and Time
Choosing a date and time for your work Christmas party can be challenging, especially if you have a large team with varying schedules. Consider having the party during work hours or immediately after work to ensure maximum attendance. Avoid scheduling the party on a Friday, as some employees may have plans for the weekend. Instead, opt for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
To make the decision easier, you can send out a poll to your team to gather their availability and preferences. This way, you can choose a date and time that works best for the majority. Remember, the goal is to ensure that as many employees as possible can attend and enjoy the festivities.
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Do something unique and different.
You could take your team to dinner at a nearby restaurant or put on your thinking hats and come up with a unique work Christmas party idea, such as Christmas parties. We’re talking team-building-style Christmas parties that are different from the norm, things that your staff wouldn’t normally get up to.
Scrap the local pub or restaurant and go for a Christmas lunch or dinner catered by a private chef instead. Take your team for an epic picnic with gourmet Christmas catering full of out-of-the-ordinary goodies. Even better, cater a dining experience like a blindfolded dinner or cooking class where your staff can cook the meal themselves, and perhaps include a Christmas tree decorating challenge to add a festive touch.
The point here is to try and think of something unique and different that will wow your staff and give them a story to share with friends and family at the end of the day. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to hear about Christmas lunch at the pub.
Don’t be afraid to ask for input for work Christmas party ideas
Going from the point above, don’t feel under pressure to come up with fun work Christmas party ideas all on your own! The whole idea is to reward your staff with what they want, so don’t be afraid to ask your team for input on what kind of Christmas catering they’d like to get or what they’d like to get up to for the Christmas party.
Collect work Christmas party ideas
You can call in a big staff meeting and have people brainstorm and throw around ideas. Start with a few suggestions of your own as a starting point, and get them thinking about what kind of things they’d like to do or eat. Throw those ideas up on a whiteboard and have a vote on what the majority thinks would make a fun Christmas party.
If you have too many staff members or can’t gather them all around simultaneously, either have a suggestion box on your desk where they can write in ideas written on paper or create an anonymous online form they can send from their computers. This is also a good idea for those shy staff members who might not feel confident enough to express their out-of-the-box ideas.
You don’t need to hire a venue
Hiring a holiday party venue is a great way to get your staff out of the office and into the party mood, but you don’t always have to hire a venue to have a fun Christmas work party!
Consider getting Christmas catering delivered to outdoor public spaces and make the most of the warm weather. Take your team to the beach, where you can enjoy swimming, going for a bushwalk, playing ball games, and stuffing yourselves with delicious food.
Have a Gourmet BBQ with Sides and Salads at a nearby park, and get your team involved in the cooking and enjoying some sunshine. Bring along some speakers, and you’ll have a party for yourself! While a Christmas party venue can turn things up a notch, there’s not always room in the budget – but that doesn’t mean you have to restrict yourselves to staying in the office for Chrissy.
Make food an experience with Christmas party activities
You don’t have to have Christmas catering full of traditional foods at your party – if anything, with the hot Aussie summer weather, you might be better off without the roasted hams and wintery spread. Embrace the Christmas spirit by incorporating festive and interactive food experiences. Consider putting your food budget towards a food experience that will mix eating with entertainment and get your staff interacting and enjoying themselves at the party.
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Foodie activities like culinary journeys, raw food experiences, and even food workshops can teach staff new skills, let them have some fun, and serve delicious meals that are different from your everyday Christmas feasts.
Host a condiments workshop and throw a BBQ where your staff can try their freshly made condiments, teach your staff how to use edible flowers or create one seriously Instagrammable feast that your team can photograph and share with friends to spark some workplace envy… Plenty can be done in the name of food, and Christmas catering can be a creative party aspect.
Choose a theme for the party
One of the best ways to add excitement to your work Christmas party is by choosing a fun and engaging party theme. Whether aiming for a classy event or something more whimsical, selecting the right theme will help guide your decisions on decorations, dress code, and even activities. Below are some popular theme ideas to consider:
- Winter Wonderland: Create an elegant snowy backdrop with white lights, snowflakes, and shimmering decor to evoke a magical holiday setting.
- Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest: Bring fun by encouraging everyone to wear their most outrageous holiday sweaters. Offer prizes for “ugliest sweater” and “most creative.”
- Retro Christmas: Choose a decade, like the 1980s or 90s, and let your team dress up in period attire for a nostalgic holiday celebration.
- Festive Mystery Party: Add a touch of suspense by organizing a holiday-themed mystery event where employees work together to solve a festive crime.
A quick way to turn a beige idea into something wild and different is to tack on a theme. Christmas is already a theme, but it’s not always the most exciting Christmas theme. It’s the end of the year, and your staff likely have several Christmas parties they’re already planning to attend, so having another Christmas party with all the traditions can become a bit of a drag.
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Get your staff to vote on a fun theme idea, or pick one and go all out. Go for general themes like Sci-Fi or Fantasy or more specific dress-up ideas like “Come as your favourite movie/book character.”
The importance of a well-decorated space
Once you’ve chosen a theme, it’s time to bring your office or event space to life with decorations. Nothing says Christmas essence like festive decor, including a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, twinkling lights, and garlands.
- Christmas Tree: A decorated Christmas tree is the centrepiece of any holiday party. Consider making tree decorating a team-building activity where each department contributes ornaments.
- Lighting: Use fairy lights, candles, and lanterns to create a cozy, warm atmosphere that enhances the festive mood.
- Holiday Colors: To maintain a cohesive look, stick to traditional holiday colors like red, green, gold, and silver.
Engage your team with fun Christmas games
One of the best ways to keep the energy up during a work Christmas party is by incorporating interactive holiday party games. Games are fun and serve as icebreakers, especially for employees who may not interact often. Here are some ideas to include:
- Christmas Trivia: Play a Christmas-themed trivia game to test your team’s knowledge of holiday traditions, movies, and music. Divide people into teams to encourage collaboration.
- Christmas Bingo: A simple yet fun game that everyone can enjoy. Create custom bingo cards with holiday-related images or phrases and hand out small prizes to the winners.
- Guess the Christmas Song: Play short snippets of popular Christmas songs and have employees guess the title or artist. This is a great way to bring the holiday spirit into the party through music.
- White Elephant Gift Exchange: A gift swap with a twist! Employees bring a wrapped gift and take turns choosing one, but the catch is that gifts can be “stolen” from others. This game always leads to lots of laughs and surprises.
The power of a Secret Santa gift exchange
A holiday gift exchange is a fun and inclusive way to spread holiday cheer. Set a modest budget (e.g., $10-$20) and have employees draw names beforehand. This ensures everyone receives a gift and adds an element of surprise to the party.
For a unique twist, you can give your gifts exchange a theme, such as “gag gifts only,” “handmade gifts,” or “gifts under $10.” The possibilities are endless, and this game will surely be a hit at your work Christmas party.
Awards and recognition
The holiday season is a great time to recognise your employees’ hard work and contributions. Consider hosting a mini awards ceremony where you give out fun or serious awards. Categories can include:
- Most Festive Attire
- Office Comedian
- Best Team Player
- Employee of the Year
This not only adds some fun to the party but also makes your employees feel appreciated, reinforcing the Christmas mood positively and meaningfully.
Workshops and interactive activities
Interactive workshops are an excellent way to involve employees and give them something to take home from the party. Consider adding one of these activities to your work Christmas party:
- DIY Ornament-Making: Set up a crafting station where employees can create their holiday ornaments. These can be displayed on the office Christmas tree or taken home as a festive keepsake.
- Christmas Cookie Decorating: Employees can get creative by decorating Christmas cookies. Provide a variety of icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations to make this activity fun and delicious.
Entertainment and music
Entertainment and music are essential components of a successful work Christmas party. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Music and dancing for a festive atmosphere
Play Christmas music in the background to create a festive atmosphere. Consider hiring a DJ or a live band to keep the party going. You can also create a playlist of popular Christmas songs to keep the mood light and fun. Don’t forget to include some upbeat tracks to get everyone on the dance floor.
Some popular Christmas party playlist ideas include:
- Classic Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
- Modern Christmas hits like “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “Last Christmas”
- The upbeat party tracks like “I Gotta Feeling” and “Uptown Funk”
Remember to keep the music volume reasonable to ensure guests can converse comfortably. The right mix of music will set the tone for the evening and keep the energy high, making your office Christmas party a memorable event for everyone.
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Embrace the digital age.
In today’s digital age, incorporating technology into your work Christmas party can make it more engaging and memorable. Imagine your team exploring a winter wonderland through a virtual reality experience or sharing festive moments on social media with a branded hashtag.
Please set up a social media station where employees can snap photos and instantly share them on the company’s accounts, spreading the holiday spirit far and wide.
For remote employees, a virtual holiday party can be just as fun. Organize a virtual Secret Santa gift exchange where participants receive gifts in the mail or host virtual games and activities around a virtual Christmas tree. You could even create a digital advent calendar that reveals a new holiday-themed challenge or activity each day leading up to Christmas, keeping the excitement alive throughout the season.
By embracing the digital age, you can make your office Christmas party more inclusive, interactive, and fun for all employees, regardless of location.
Spread The Holiday Cheer.
The holiday season is about spreading joy and cheer; your work Christmas party is the perfect opportunity. Why not organize a toy drive or charity event where employees can donate to a local children’s hospital or charity? Hosting a holiday-themed volunteer day is another great way to give back, whether serving meals at a soup kitchen or visiting the elderly.
You could also create holiday cards or gift baskets for local families in need or host a holiday-themed fundraiser, such as a bake sale or charity auction, to raise money for a local cause. Partnering with a local business to offer holiday discounts or promotions to employees and customers can spread cheer beyond your office walls.
By spreading the holiday cheer, you can create a positive and uplifting atmosphere at your office Christmas party and make a meaningful difference in your community.
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity
It’s essential to consider that not all employees celebrate Christmas. Being mindful of different traditions and cultures is crucial when planning an inclusive office event. Here are a few tips to ensure everyone feels included:
- Non-religious themes: Choose themes like “Winter Wonderland” or “Holiday Celebration” to ensure the event is festive without being tied to any specific holiday.
- Cultural potluck: Host a potluck where employees bring dishes from their cultural backgrounds. This can be a fun and inclusive way to celebrate diversity while enjoying various delicious foods.
- Cultures celebrate: write a sentence about different countries’ cultural Christmas experiences worldwide. Instead of focusing on traditional holiday music or performances, consider inviting diverse entertainers to showcase their talents and cultural traditions.
Add a personal touch.
Adding a personal touch to your work Christmas party can make it more meaningful and memorable for employees. Consider creating customized holiday ornaments or gifts for each team member or hosting a holiday-themed awards ceremony to recognise their achievements and contributions throughout the year.
A personalized holiday message or video from the CEO or management team can also go a long way in making employees feel valued. You could create a holiday season-themed photo album or scrapbook for employees to sign and leave messages, capturing the season’s memories.
Hosting a holiday-themed potluck where employees bring in their favourite dishes and share their cultural traditions is another wonderful way to add a personal touch. This celebration of diversity fosters a sense of community and connection among your team.
Adding a personal touch can make your office Christmas party more special and meaningful for employees, creating lasting memories and a stronger camaraderie.
Outdoor Christmas parties
Consider hosting an outdoor Christmas party for businesses in regions with Australian weather. This option provides more space, fresh air, and a natural backdrop for the celebration. You could include activities such as:
- Bonfire– Create a cozy outdoor gathering around a bonfire, complete with s’mores, hot cocoa, and holiday music.
- Holiday-themed lawn games– If space allows, set up games like cornhole or ring toss with Christmas-themed decorations.
- Host a garden party—A garden party can be a unique and charming way to celebrate the holiday season with your colleagues. Beautiful flowers, twinkling lights, and festive decorations can transform your office garden into a winter wonderland.
Virtual work Christmas party ideas
With the rise of remote work, many companies now host virtual Christmas office parties. A virtual celebration can still capture the Christmas mood, even from a distance. Here’s how to plan a successful virtual party:
- Online Games—Virtual games like holiday trivia or Bingo can be played via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. You can also host a virtual Secret Santa with gifts sent in advance.
- Party Kits—Send employees holiday-themed party kits with snacks, small gifts, and even a DIY cocktail set to enjoy during the virtual gathering.
- Virtual workshops can engage employees through an online seminar, such as a cookie decorating class or a cocktail-making demonstration.
- Virtual wine tastings are the perfect way to sip and sample varieties from all over the globe. You can also organise online mixology classes and enjoy the holiday spirit with your remote team.
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Wrapping up the party with a thank you
As the party ends and the festivities wind down, please take a moment to express your heartfelt gratitude to your employees for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. A sincere thank-you can go a long way in reinforcing team spirit and fostering a positive work environment. To further show your appreciation, consider handing out small parting gifts that reflect the thoughtfulness behind your gesture.
Options could include personalized holiday ornaments that employees can cherish for years, gift cards that allow them to treat themselves to something special, or company-branded items that remind them of their contributions and the memorable moments shared during the year. These small tokens not only celebrate their achievements but also strengthen the bond within your team as you move forward into the new year together.
Small business, big party!
Need help managing your budget? We can help you make the most of what you’ve got to plan a work Christmas party with epic Christmas catering (by your private chef), work Christmas party ideas, foodie experiences, or to help you find a venue that suits your team and budget.
Contact us now, and let’s help you plan a great time!