As the festive season approaches, we can almost hear Mariah Carey’s evergreen Christmas tunes playing in the background, signalling that the most wonderful time of the year is here. But with the holiday season comes a challenge for those tasked with organising the office Christmas party—especially for office managers, assistants, or anyone responsible for planning team bonding events.
Let’s be honest: the lead-up to Christmas is a busy time. There’s pressure to meet year-end targets, finish projects, and navigate an already hectic work schedule. Amid all this, there’s often little time or energy left to focus on planning festive activities. It’s also important to keep in mind that not everyone in the office celebrates Christmas, which can make it even trickier to plan something that feels inclusive while still being fun for everyone.
So, how do you organise a party or festive activities that are both fun and memorable, yet also inclusive and stress-free? In this blog post, I’ll share some creative ideas that will brighten up your office atmosphere and add some festive cheer without putting unnecessary pressure on anyone or being tied to any particular tradition.
1. Get Creative with Christmas Jumpers
One of the most iconic holiday traditions is the Christmas jumper. The tradition of wearing festive jumpers started in the 1950s and 1960s, with simple, cheerful designs featuring Christmas motifs like Santa Claus and reindeer. It wasn’t until the 1980s, however, that Christmas jumpers became truly popular, with TV shows like The Simpsons featuring characters wearing them. The trend really exploded in the early 2000s when people started hosting “ugly Christmas sweater” parties, celebrating over-the-top designs that featured garish colours, tinsel, and even blinking lights.
Today, the Christmas jumper tradition is not just fun but often linked to charitable causes. Events like "Christmas Jumper Day" raise money for charity while embracing the playful spirit of the season.
But why not add a creative twist to this tradition? Instead of just wearing a pre-made jumper, why not host a “Make Your Own Christmas Jumper” event? Here’s how:
Supplies: Ask your team to bring in a cheap, plain jumper. Then, provide them with all the fun and quirky decorations like pom-poms, felt shapes, sequins, fabric paint, bells, ribbons, tinsel, and hot glue guns. This turns the jumper into a blank canvas for creativity!
Crafting Tools: Make sure there are enough scissors, fabric glue, sewing kits, and safety pins for everyone to use.
Setup: Set up a crafting station in the office with a selection of decorations, and put on some festive tunes to get everyone in the mood. Arrange some snacks and drinks to fuel the creativity, and let the team get to work!
Not only does this activity get people involved, but it also creates a light-hearted, fun atmosphere as everyone shows off their finished jumpers. The best part? Everyone leaves with a personalised festive creation, and you can even have a mini competition for the “ugliest” or most creative jumper.
2. Host a Winter Wonderland Themed Party
A Winter Wonderland-themed party is a perfect way to celebrate the season, as it works for everyone, regardless of their holiday traditions. You can make this theme inclusive and fun by focusing on the beauty of winter without tying it to any particular holiday.
Decoration Tips:
Fake Snow: Create a snowy atmosphere by using fake snow or snowflakes. You can purchase these decorations from budget stores like Poundland, and it doesn’t have to cost much.
White Paper Snowflakes: Hang these from the ceiling to create a magical effect.
Winter Props: Use winter-themed props such as snowmen, ice skates, or even pine branches to add to the décor.
Fun Activities:
Penguin Waddle Race: If your office has a long corridor, encourage employees to participate in a Penguin Waddle Race. They can waddle like penguins in a race, wearing fun accessories like flippers or making do with their feet.
“Snowball” Throwing: Set up an indoor snowball fight using foam balls. This adds a fun and competitive twist to the day’s activities.
Toilet Paper Snowman Challenge: For a silly, friendly competition, split the team into small groups, give them toilet paper rolls, and challenge them to create the most hilarious snowman. This is a great way to get everyone laughing and engaged.
If you want to make this Winter Wonderland theme extra special, invite everyone to wear white or winter-themed costumes to bring the magic to life. The overall vibe will be one of fun and relaxation, making it the perfect escape from the holiday hustle.
3. Winter Trivia Party: Test Your Knowledge of the Season
A Winter Trivia Party is an engaging way to bring some fun into the office, and it’s great for teams that want to bond over some friendly competition. You can ask trivia questions based on winter-themed topics, such as:
Winter Olympics History: Do you know when the first Winter Olympics was held, or which country has won the most gold medals?
Winter Animals: Test your team’s knowledge of animals that thrive in winter, such as reindeer, polar bears, and penguins.
Holiday Traditions Around the World: How is Christmas celebrated in different countries, and what are some unique winter traditions people celebrate?
Snow Science and Geography: Explore fun facts about snowflakes, how they form, or famous snowy places around the world.
Pair this trivia event with some festive food and drinks to make it even more enjoyable. Consider serving mulled wine and mince pies, or even have a hot cocoa station with all the toppings for people to enjoy.
It’s a simple yet effective way to bring everyone together and spark some fun conversations.
4. Make It Fun with Festive Food Stations
Food plays a big part in any festive gathering. To make things more interactive, why not set up a cookie decoration station or a build-your-own gingerbread house corner? Here’s how you can do it:
Cookie Decorating Station: Provide pre-baked cookies in different shapes (gingerbread men, stars, snowflakes) and various icing colours, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Let your team members decorate their cookies as they wish.
Gingerbread House Competition: If you have the space, buy gingerbread house kits and set up a competition where teams can assemble and decorate their own gingerbread houses. The most creative or funniest house wins!
These activities bring a lot of joy and interaction into the office, and you can even offer small prizes for the best decorated cookies or gingerbread houses.
5. Plan a Pre-Christmas Office Party Like No Other
A Christmas party at the office is something everyone looks forward to, but it doesn’t have to be the same old routine every year. This time, break free from the traditional and get creative with your planning.
Incorporate Unique Activities:
DIY Christmas Crafts: Set up a crafting station where people can make their own Christmas ornaments, create custom holiday cards, or design their own personalised gift wrap.
Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine and let employees take the stage to sing their favourite Christmas songs. You could even make it a competition for the most festive or hilarious performance.
Photo Booth Fun: Create a photo booth with holiday-themed props (think Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or snowman noses) and a wintery backdrop. Employees can take silly photos to capture fun moments.
By adding these quirky and unique touches, your team will appreciate something different and memorable. After all, what’s better than celebrating the season with laughter, creativity, and the company of your amazing colleagues?
Final Thoughts: Make It Fun, Make It Memorable
Planning a festive office celebration doesn’t need to be stressful or overwhelming. The key is to bring in fun, creativity, and inclusivity while still focusing on what makes the holiday season special. Whether it’s making your own Christmas jumpers, hosting a Winter Wonderland party, playing winter trivia, or just having a blast with a cookie decorating competition, there are countless ways to celebrate and bring joy to your team.
This year, get creative, plan something different, and most importantly, make the holiday season at the office truly memorable for everyone involved. Your team will appreciate the effort, and you’ll be able to create happy memories that will last far beyond the holiday season.
Need help planning a festive team bonding experience for your team? We’re happy to assist with creative workshops and artsy activities. Enquire now for your Christmas party here!
Happy planning and a holly jolly festive season!
Mariella 🎄