Updated for 2024

‘Tis the season to show your employees gratitude for everything they do. The holiday season is the perfect time to show your employees appreciation and celebrate all they’ve achieved throughout the year. Small business owners know that boosting morale and bringing festive cheer to the office can make a big difference as you close out the year strong. With so many ways to celebrate, from office holiday party ideas to fun decorating tips, we’ve put together an extensive list of fresh ideas to make this year memorable.

Holiday Office Party Ideas or Themes

1. Holiday Movie Marathon:Set up a cozy screening area with classics like Elf, Home Alone, and A Christmas Story. Serve snacks that match the movies, like popcorn, hot cocoa, and Christmas cookies.
2. Holiday Ball. This will likely require an away-from-work venue – which you will need to book well in advance. It also requires a caterer and entertainment. You can hire a DJ, a band, or just use prerecorded music. Again, it all depends on your budget. Selecting a holiday event committee can help you create an event that appeals to employees at all levels and who may have different backgrounds and cultures.
3. Ugly Sweater Party: Who doesn’t like a good ugly sweater party? It’s easy to host, generates some laughs, and gets everyone in the holiday spirit. Even better, it doesn’t take too much effort which is why it tends to be a fan favorite. You can also make it contest and set up a photo booth, offer a prize for the ugliest sweater, and let everyone vote on their favorites.
4. Christmas Character Party: Ask employees to come dressed as holiday characters – like Scrooge, Santa, a Nutcracker, Frosty, Kevin (from Home Alone), or another favorite. Vote on the best recreation and give out gift cards to winners.
5. Holiday Karaoke:Set up a karaoke machine and let employees show off their singing skills with holiday tunes. You can even hold a mini talent show for extra fun.
6. International Holiday Celebration: Encourage employees to share traditions from different cultures. Have a potluck where everyone brings a dish from their heritage.
7. Holiday Bake-Off: Invite your team to bring in homemade holiday treats and hold a friendly competition. Judges can give awards for “Most Creative,” “Best Presentation,” and “Best Taste.”
8. White Elephant Gift Exchange: Set a price limit and let employees exchange quirky, funny gifts in a classic White Elephant exchange.
9. Winter Wonderland Escape Room: Set up an office room with themed clues and puzzles to create a DIY escape room experience.
10. Office Talent Show: Allow employees to showcase their hidden talents, from singing to comedy acts. The top acts can win small prizes or gift cards.
11. Holiday Craft Workshop: Bring in a local artist or crafter to lead a workshop. Employees can make holiday ornaments, candles, or wreaths.
12. Santa’s Workshop Team Building: Divide employees into teams and provide materials to build the best gingerbread house or holiday decor in a friendly competition.
13. Holiday Bingo Night: Host a bingo night with holiday-themed bingo cards and festive prizes.
14. Potluck Brunch Party: Hold a holiday potluck brunch, encouraging employees to bring their favorite breakfast dishes.
15. Secret Santa with a Twist: Instead of buying gifts, encourage employees to “gift” acts of kindness, like covering for someone’s shift or bringing them coffee.
16. Winter Pajama Day: Let everyone wear holiday-themed pajamas to work and provide hot chocolate for a cozy workday.
17. Holiday Jeopardy Game: Create a holiday-themed Jeopardy board with trivia questions about holiday traditions, songs, and movies.
18. Holiday Cocktail Workshop:  Hire a mixologist to teach your team how to make festive cocktails (or mocktails) they can enjoy during the holidays.
19. Charity Donation Drive: Host a donation drive for a local charity, encouraging employees to give back by donating toys, food, or clothing
20. Other Party Theme Options: Other films and TV shows to consider for viewing and/or party or event inspiration are White Christmas, Elf, Polar Express, Scrooge, Christmas Vacation, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Home Alone, Nightmare Before Christmas, or Frosty the Snowman. Pinterest has hundreds of possibilities.

Office Holiday Decorating Ideas

1. Door Decorating Contest: Host a door decorating contest and encourage each team to create the most festive, creative door. Offer prizes for categories like “Most Creative” and “Most Festive.”
2. Holiday Photo Booth: Set up a holiday-themed photo booth with props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and fake snow. Employees can take pictures to capture the holiday spirit.
3. DIY Snowflakes: Provide materials for employees to create and hang paper snowflakes around the office for a winter wonderland effect.
4. Mini Tree Decorating: Set up mini Christmas trees on each desk or in common areas and let employees decorate them with miniature ornaments.
5. Holiday Wall of Gratitude: Set up a wall where employees can write messages of gratitude and appreciation for their coworkers.
6. String Lights Everywhere: Hang string lights in workspaces and communal areas for a warm, cozy atmosphere.
7. Festive Plant Decorations: Decorate office plants with small ornaments and tinsel for a subtle yet festive touch.
8. DIY Wreath-Making Station: Set up a station where employees can make small wreaths for their desks or the office door.
9. Garland and Ornaments: Use garlands to drape along door frames, and hang ornaments around the office for added color.
10. Personalized Stockings:Hang a stocking for each employee on the wall or fireplace if you have one. Encourage employees to leave small notes or treats for each other.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Employees

1. Customized Mugs with Cocoa Kits: Give each employee a personalized mug filled with cocoa, marshmallows, and a candy cane.
2. Personalized Ornaments: Have custom ornaments made with each employee’s name or a thoughtful holiday message.
3. Gift Cards for Local Businesses: Support small businesses by giving gift cards for local coffee shops, bookstores, or restaurants.
4. Desk Succulents: Small succulents make great gifts that can add life to an employee’s desk year-round.
5. Handwritten Thank-You Cards: Write a heartfelt card for each employee, expressing appreciation for their hard work.
6. Holiday-Themed Gift Baskets: Fill baskets with festive treats like peppermint bark, hot chocolate mix, and holiday-scented candles.
7. Self-Care Kits: Include items like bath bombs, hand lotion, or candles to help employees relax after a busy holiday season.
8. Holiday Books or Puzzles: Offer holiday-themed books or puzzles as a fun and relaxing gift.
9. Charity Donation in Employee’s Name: Make a donation to a charity of the employee’s choice in their name.
10. Seasonal Treats: Provide boxes of cookies, chocolates, or holiday snacks employees can enjoy with their families.

Potluck and Food Ideas for Office Celebrations

1. Cookie Exchange: Host a cookie exchange where employees bring in batches of their favorite holiday cookies to swap with coworkers.
2. International Dishes Potluck: Have employees bring dishes that reflect their heritage or family holiday traditions.
3. Soup and Chili Cook-Off: Let employees bring in homemade soups and chilis for a cozy winter potluck.
4. Holiday Charcuterie Boards: Set up a charcuterie station with cheese, meats, fruits, and nuts for a festive, shareable snack.
5. Hot Chocolate Bar: Provide hot chocolate with toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes.
6. Festive Fruit Platters: Arrange platters with fruits like cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and green grapes for holiday colors.
7. Comfort Foods Potluck: Let everyone bring their favorite comfort foods, from mac and cheese to casseroles.
8. Breakfast Spread: Start the workday with a breakfast spread featuring pancakes, pastries, and coffee.
9. Holiday Cocktail Hour: Have an after-work holiday cocktail hour with festive drinks like spiked eggnog or mulled cider.
10. Gingerbread Decorating Party: Set up a station where employees can decorate their own gingerbread cookies to eat or take home.

More Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Work

1. Trivia: Bring some brain power into the mix with holiday trivia. Bring in food like pizza or sandwiches for a minimal expense or maybe even eggnog to really make it festive.
2. White Elephant Gifting: This one is always fun! Everyone can bring a funny and quirky gift to swap with each other. You can establish a $10 or $20 limit and encourage them to choose something clever.
3. After-Work Happy Hour: Set a date and time for a post-work activity outside the office. You can also tie your outing in with another idea like karaoke, trivia, or an ugly sweater competition.
4. Playful Year-End Awards: You can recognize employees and have some fun with a year-end awards show. Create playful awards that mark a special contribution by your staff. Try to have an award for all. To get the creative juices flowing, Thanks.com lists 200 funny award names you might consider.
5. Board game afternoon break: Take a break from the daily grind and challenge your coworkers to some friendly competition with a board game afternoon. Set up different games in the break room and let everyone take turns playing. This is a great way to bond with your colleagues while also taking a mental break.
6. Volunteer together: Give back to the community by organizing a volunteer event for your team. You can choose a local charity or cause that aligns with your company values or simply do random acts of kindness around town. Not only will you be making a positive impact, but you’ll also strengthen team morale and camaraderie.
7. Secret Santa gift exchange: Another classic holiday tradition, Secret Santa gift exchanges allow employees to anonymously give gifts to each other without breaking the bank. Set guidelines for
8. Food truck at lunch: Mix up the usual lunch routine by inviting a food truck to come to your office for a day. Your employees will appreciate the change of pace and getting to try new foods. Plus, it’s a great way to support local businesses.
9. Holiday decorating contest: Get into the holiday spirit by having a friendly competition among teams or departments to see who can decorate their workspace in the most festive and creative way. This is a fun way to boost morale and add some holiday cheer to the office.
10. Raffle for fun prizes:Organize a raffle for fun prizes such as gift cards, holiday-themed items, or even an extra day off. This will add excitement and anticipation to the holiday season for employees.
11. Volunteer opportunities:Give back to the community by organizing volunteer opportunities for employees. This could include participating in a local toy drive, serving meals at a soup kitchen, or spending time with elderly residents at a nursing home. Not only does this promote team-building and camaraderie, but it also spreads joy and goodwill during the holidays.
12. Lottery scratchers: Surprise your employees with lottery scratchers as a small token of appreciation. This adds a fun element to the holiday festivities and gives employees a chance to win some extra cash.
13. Holiday-themed potluck: Encourage employees to bring in their favorite holiday dishes for a festive potluck. This is a great way for employees to share their cultural traditions and bond over food.
14. Secret Santa gift exchange: Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange among employees. This adds an element of surprise and excitement, as well as allowing employees to show their thoughtfulness and creativity through gift giving.
15. Ugly sweater day: Have a designated day where employees can wear their ugliest holiday sweaters to work. This adds some lighthearted fun and laughter to the workplace during
16. Bowling outing: Plan a bowling outing for employees to get together and have some friendly competition. This is a great way to bring everyone together outside of the office for some holiday fun.
17. Cookie baking competition: Encourage employees to bring in their favorite holiday cookies and have a competition to see who can make the best batch. This not only fosters friendly competition, but also allows employees to share their family recipes and cultural traditions.
18. Sporting event tickets (you can purchase discounted tickets through Cal Perks; if you’re an employer offering CaliforniaChoice benefits to your employees, log in to your account for details)
19. Movie tickets (discounted movie tickets are also available through Cal Perks)