The best holiday party activities for work are low-pressure, team-based, and optional. Good examples are trivia, a white elephant gift exchange, cookie decorating, and volunteering. Pick two or three that suit your team’s size and budget, and skip anything that forces people to perform or drink.
This guide covers 15 holiday activities for a work party, plus the planning basics that keep them inclusive and low-risk.
Why the Activities Matter More than the Venue
A Challenger, Gray & Christmas survey of 252 U.S. companies found that more than 57% planned in-person parties in 2022. By 2024, 64% of companies planned in-person celebrations, still below the 75% that held parties in 2019. (myjournalcourierhr-brew)
Most employees want to attend. An ezCater report found that 82% of employees planned to go to their company party, and per-person food and beverage spend averaged $59. (ezcater)
The activity you choose shapes whether people mingle or huddle with the same three coworkers. That matters for retention. Gallup reports that only 22% of U.S. employees say they have a best friend at work. Gallup estimates that raising that share to six in 10 could mean 36% fewer safety incidents and 12% higher profit. A well-chosen activity is one of the cheapest ways to build those connections.
15 Holiday Party Activities for Work
In-office and low-budget
1. Holiday trivia. Mix seasonal questions with company history and pop culture. Mixed teams work best, so assign seats instead of letting people self-select. Free tools like Kahoot or a simple slide deck are enough.
2. White elephant or Secret Santa. Set a spending cap of $15 to $25 so no one feels squeezed. SHRM’s coverage of inclusive celebrations advises employers to avoid mandatory gift-giving. Make it opt-in.
3. Cookie decorating contest. It takes little skill and creates natural conversation. Buy plain sugar cookies and icing, then let teams vote on categories like “most creative” and “most festive.”
4. Ugly sweater or festive hat day. This works because it is easy to join and easy to skip. Offer a small prize and a no-pressure alternative, such as a holiday pin.
5. Holiday bingo. Fill the card with office-specific squares, such as “someone says ‘per my last email’.” Bingo works in a crowded room because people can play while they talk.
6. Potluck with a twist. Ask everyone to bring a dish tied to a family or cultural tradition. It works as an icebreaker, and it fits the advice from PowerToFly to ask employees for input and involve employee resource groups.
Interactive and team-building
7. Escape room. A one-hour room gives teams a shared problem to solve. Book at least a month ahead, since December slots fill up.
8. Scavenger hunt. Run it across the office floor or a nearby neighborhood. Use photo challenges so teams stay active without needing much prep.
9. Holiday craft or DIY workshop. Wreath making, candle pouring, and gingerbread building all work. A local instructor typically handles supplies and setup.
10. Photo booth. Rent a booth or set up a phone station with props and a backdrop. Photos give people something to share afterward and cost little to run.
11. Karaoke. It suits extroverted teams. Make it optional and keep the lighting and volume friendly to people who prefer to watch.
Meaningful and inclusive
12. Team volunteering. Pack meals, wrap gifts for a local charity, or assemble care kits. It replaces a purely social event with something purposeful.
13. Awards and superlatives. Recognize real contributions alongside lighthearted categories. Andrew Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas has described the holiday party as a way for companies to show teams they value them. Awards make that explicit. hrdive
14. Mocktail or hot chocolate bar. Give non-drinkers something creative to hold. SHRM recommends offering nonalcoholic beer and mocktails instead of only soda and juice. shrm
Remote and hybrid teams
15. Virtual games or a mailed-kit event. Send everyone the same cookie kit or hot cocoa set, then decorate or taste together on video. Virtual events remain a small slice of the market: 4.5% of companies planned virtual holiday events in 2024. That means a well-run one can stand out. costar
How to Choose the Right Activities
Start with your headcount, budget, and how much energy your team has in December. Then apply three filters.
- Optional: No activity should require performing, drinking, or staying late.
- Accessible: Check for mobility needs, dietary restrictions, and religious considerations.
- Time-boxed: Keep structured activities to 30 to 60 minutes so people still have time to talk.
Consider timing too. Challenger’s 2023 survey found that 58.1% of companies scheduled parties during or near the end of the workday.
FAQS
What are good holiday party activities for work on a small budget?
Trivia, bingo, a potluck, and a white elephant exchange cost little and work for most teams. A cookie decorating contest adds variety for under $10 per person.
What are fun holiday activities for a work party with remote employees?
Virtual trivia, a mailed cookie or cocoa kit, and online escape rooms all work well. Schedule them during work hours to boost attendance.
How long should holiday party activities last?
Keep structured activities to 30 to 60 minutes. That leaves time for unstructured conversation, which is what most people value most.
The bottom line
Choose two or three optional, easy-to-join activities, and mix one social game with one meaningful one, like volunteering. Ask employees what they want, keep the budget realistic, and protect the experience for non-drinkers and remote staff.