The holiday season at work is often a whirlwind of deadlines and last-minute projects. But it’s also the perfect time to strengthen team bonds. Doing this well can distinguish between a team just getting by and one thriving. Not only do holiday team team-building activities boost morale, but they also offer opportunities for growth and connection. Plus, these activities can leave everyone feeling appreciated and inspired when combined with thoughtful team holiday gifts.
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What are Holiday Team Building Activities?
Picture this: The office buzzes with festive energy, and people are ready to break from the usual grind. Enter holiday team-building activities. These are exercises that mix holiday cheer with meaningful interactions.
They're all about bringing everyone together, boosting morale, and having a blast. From casual games to structured challenges, these activities focus on:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Collaboration
They make the holiday season more than just a time for parties and presents; it is a chance to strengthen relationships and create positive memories.
Why Bother With Holiday Team Building?
The holidays naturally put people in a good mood, making it the perfect time to connect with coworkers on a more personal level. Holiday team-building activities help people unwind and bond outside their usual work roles.
They create positive experiences that can carry over into the rest of the year, boosting morale and improving workplace relationships. They can inspire creativity and innovation. When people feel connected and supported, they're more likely to think outside the box and develop great ideas. Don't skip the team-building this holiday season. It's a win-win for everyone.
Advantages of Christmas Team Building Activities
Boosting Morale and Motivation During the Holidays
Holiday team-building activities do more than just add a little cheer; they can significantly uplift team morale and motivation. A staggering 85% of employees agree that holiday parties positively impact team spirit. When people celebrate together, they feel more connected, which can translate to a more productive and happier work environment.
Why Employees Love Holiday Gatherings
60% of employees [prefer seasonal events] (https://www.slideshare.net/EventbriteAU/eventbrite-aussie-workplace-christmas-party-index-2017) like Christmas parties over traditional team-building activities. These gatherings are more engaging and relaxed, making team members feel more comfortable and open to bonding. People love the holiday spirit, and these events cater perfectly to that.
Keeping Costs Down Without Losing the Fun
Holiday parties don’t have to empty your wallet. While an in-office party might run between $3,000 and $4,000, there are plenty of affordable ways to celebrate. Consider simple holiday games, virtual parties, or even potlucks to keep costs down while still having a great time.
Employers Covering Costs Matter
A survey reveals that 70% of employees believe their employer should cover food and drinks at holiday parties. When companies invest in these events, employees feel valued, which builds loyalty and a stronger connection to the company.
Benefits for In-Person and Remote Teams
Holiday team-building activities work well for both in-person and remote teams. Shared experiences like holiday games or volunteer work can deepen relationships for in-person teams. For remote teams, virtual gatherings offer a relaxed setting to connect and break down isolation.
Happiness Equals Productivity
Team building promotes honest feedback and mutual respect. Research shows that happy employees are up to 20% more productive. Well-designed team-building exercises break up the workday and give employees a chance to have a bit of fun. More fun leads to more happiness, and that’s a win-win.
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• Holiday Gifts For Employees • Christmas Gifts For Employees • Holiday Message To Employees • Holiday Gifts For Coworkers • Work Christmas Party Games • Staff Christmas Gifts • Christmas Team Building Activities
Planning Your Holiday Team Building Activities
Budgeting Without Breaking the Bank
Regarding planning holiday team-building activities, budget matters. Determine how much you can spend and allocate funds wisely across the venue, materials, and facilitation costs. Remember, digital platform expenses for virtual events.
Prioritize activities that offer the most fun for the least money. Get creative with in-house resources. Maybe someone on the team can lead the activities, or company spaces can be used unexpectedly. Aim to create memorable experiences without financial strain.
Crafting Engaging Activities for Everyone
To make your holiday team-building activities a hit, prioritize inclusivity and variety. Understand what your team enjoys and mix in games, creative challenges, and collaborative projects.
This helps cater to different personalities and working styles. It also promotes problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Provide clear instructions and ensure all materials are available.
Designing Events That Welcome All
Creating inclusive holiday team-building activities means considering your team's diverse backgrounds and abilities. Avoid specific religious themes and focus on universal ones like togetherness and gratitude.
Offer a range of activities to suit various physical abilities and preferences. Ensure virtual activities are accessible and all participants have the necessary technology. Involve your team in the planning process to choose genuinely inclusive activities.
Scheduling That Works for Everyone
Scheduling festive team-building activities can be tricky, especially with varying schedules and time zones. Use Doodle polls to survey your team for the most convenient times. For remote teams, aim to overlap working hours.
Host multiple sessions or record the event if a perfect time isn’t feasible. For in-office teams, account for different schedules, including part-time or shift workers. Flexibility is essential; offering multiple dates, times, or asynchronous activities can help.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Managing expectations is key to a successful festive team-building event. Set realistic goals and communicate them. Let everyone know the event's purpose: to have fun, build relationships, or celebrate achievements.
Be transparent about budget and logistical limitations. Involve your team by seeking their input and feedback. Focus on the experience over extravagance. Emphasize connection and enjoyment rather than flashy or expensive elements.
Related Reading
• Thanksgiving Gifts For Employees • Office Christmas Party Food Ideas • Thanksgiving Corporate Gifts • Best Gift Cards For Employees • Christmas Theme Ideas For Work • New Year Gifts For Employees • Team Christmas Gifts • Christmas Party Gift Ideas For Employees • Gift Cards For Employees Taxable • What To Get Employees For Christmas
In-office vs. Virtual Team Challenges
In-person team-building activities offer a direct way to strengthen relationships. Imagine the camaraderie forged during an escape room or the laughter shared at a holiday party.
These face-to-face interactions can lead to better communication and collaboration in the office. You’ll want to consider logistics like space, catering, and ensuring everyone can participate comfortably.
Inclusive Virtual Team Building for Remote Employees
But what about remote teammates? With more people working from home, you might accidentally exclude them. This could result in some feeling isolated or disconnected from the rest of the team.
Virtual activities allow everyone to join the fun, no matter where they are. They’re often easier to organize, too. There is no need to worry about booking a venue or arranging transportation. Keeping people engaged online can be a challenge. Technical issues and virtual fatigue are common hurdles to overcome.
Interactive Virtual Activities for Team Engagement and Connection
To make virtual events a success, choose interactive activities that encourage participation. Games, virtual escape rooms, and icebreakers are great options. Use user-friendly platforms like Zoom or Teams to facilitate the experience.
If you plan them thoughtfully, both in-office and virtual activities can be successful. In-person events build strong personal connections, while virtual activities offer flexibility and inclusivity. The key is to choose activities that suit your team’s dynamics and ensure everyone feels connected and valued.
53 Holiday Team Building Activities for All Team Sizes
1. Tree Decorating Competition
A Tree Decorating Competition can be a creative and engaging way to bring festive spirit to your team. Whether in-office or virtual, this activity allows team members to showcase their decorating skills and holiday cheer. Provide small trees or branches and eco-friendly decorations for in-office settings. Encourage participants to use sustainable or handmade items to decorate their trees.
For virtual teams, invite participants to decorate a tree at home and share photos or videos of their creations. To add fun and creativity, you can set themes such as most sustainable trees or best use of recycled materials. Create a judging panel or allow team members to vote on the best-decorated tree.
2. Gingerbread Decorating
Gingerbread Decorating is a delightful and tasty way to celebrate the holiday season with your team. This activity allows for creativity and fun, whether in-office or virtual. For in-office settings, provide gingerbread kits that include pre-baked pieces and a variety of eco-friendly, edible decorations. Set up stations with icing, candies, and other toppings, encouraging team members to design their gingerbread houses or cookies.
For virtual teams, send out gingerbread kits or provide a list of required ingredients and decorations beforehand. Host a virtual decorating session where team members can share their progress and finished creations via video call. Consider adding themes or challenges, such as the most creative design or best use of natural ingredients. Organize a voting system for different categories and offer small prizes to make it more engaging.
3. Xmas Photo Scavenger Hunt
An Xmas Photo Scavenger Hunt is an exciting way to get your team moving and engaged during the holiday season. This activity can be easily adapted for both in-office and virtual settings. Create a list of festive items and scenes for participants to find and photograph, such as:
- Decorated tree
- Holiday sweater
- Homemade ornament
For in-office teams, you can organize the hunt within the workplace or nearby areas, setting a time limit to add a competitive edge. For virtual teams, participants can search for items around their homes or neighborhoods, sharing their photos in a designated online space, such as a Slack channel or a shared Google Drive folder. Include bonus challenges like the most creative photo or the funniest holiday scene to make it more interactive.
4. Wrap Battles
Wrap Battles are a fun and lively way to bring some competitive spirit to your holiday team-building activities. This challenge involves team members competing to wrap gifts in the most creative and aesthetically pleasing way. To add a twist, encourage using eco-friendly materials such as recycled paper, fabric, or reusable wrapping items like scarves or bags.
For in-office settings, provide a variety of sustainable wrapping supplies and set up wrapping stations. Split the team into small groups and give them a set amount of time to wrap their gifts. For virtual teams, ask participants to gather eco-friendly wrapping materials and hold a live wrapping session over a video call. Judging can be done by team votes or a selected panel, with categories like:
- The most creative
- Best use of materials
- Most Festive
5. Ornament decorating contest
Spark festive creativity with an ornament decorating contest. Provide employees with plain ornaments and crafting supplies and encourage them to showcase their artistic flair.
Display the finished creations around the office or virtually to celebrate everyone’s unique talents and holiday spirit. Ornaments from a company team-building activity hanging on a Christmas Tree
6. Secret Santa gift exchange
Organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange allows team members to enjoy giving and receiving. Employees draw names and anonymously exchange thoughtful gifts, creating a sense of surprise and camaraderie during the holiday season.
7. Holiday trivia challenge
Ignite friendly competition with a holiday trivia challenge. Create a series of seasonally related questions that test employees’ knowledge of traditions, history, and pop culture. Host the trivia game during a virtual or in-person gathering to enhance team bonding while embracing the holiday spirit.
8. Ugly sweater contest
Inject humor and creativity into the workplace by hosting an ugly sweater contest. Encourage employees to don their most outrageous and festive sweaters and then hold a lively competition to determine the ugliest (and most amusing) holiday attire. This lighthearted event promotes team bonding and adds a touch of festive fun to the workplace.
9. Virtual caroling session
Bridge the gap for remote teams with a virtual caroling session. Coordinate a time for employees to join a video call and sing their favorite holiday tunes together. This uplifting activity spreads seasonal joy and fosters a sense of togetherness, even when physically apart. It’s a unique way to celebrate the holidays and strengthen team connections.
10. Holiday Pictionary tournament
Bring laughter and competition to the festive season with a holiday-themed Pictionary tournament. Create a list of holiday-related words or phrases, and have teams compete in a series of rounds. This lively and entertaining game encourages communication and teamwork and adds a holiday spirit to the workplace.
11. Virtual holiday cookbook
Encourage employees to share their favorite holiday recipes in a virtual cookbook. Collect recipes for festive dishes, treats, and drinks from team members and compile them into a digital cookbook. This collaborative effort celebrates diversity in holiday traditions and creates a lasting keepsake that employees can enjoy and share with their families.
10. Holiday charity drive
Channel the spirit of giving by organizing a holiday charity drive. Collaborate with a local charity or organization and encourage employees to donate items and funds or volunteer their time. This philanthropic activity brings the team together for a common cause and positively impacts the community, spreading the joy of the season beyond the workplace.
11. Festive virtual escape room
Challenge teams to a virtual escape room with a holiday twist. Choose a themed escape room incorporating festive elements and encouraging problem-solving and collaboration. Whether conducted in person or virtually, this engaging activity enhances teamwork skills while providing employees with an entertaining and immersive holiday experience.
12. Holiday movie marathon
Foster a sense of togetherness by organizing a holiday movie marathon. Create a list of festive films and schedule a virtual or in-person screening session. Encourage employees to bring their favorite snacks and share their thoughts on the movies. This laid-back activity allows the team to unwind, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate the season through classic holiday films.
13. DIY holiday card station
Set up a DIY holiday card station in the office or virtually, providing materials for employees to create personalized holiday cards. Encourage them to write notes of appreciation or warm wishes for their colleagues. This heartfelt activity sparks creativity and strengthens interpersonal connections, boosting team morale during the holiday season.
14. Holiday ice skating
Ice skating is a great in-person activity for the team in December! Find an ice rink that takes reservations for large groups, and book a time for everyone at your company who signed up to skate. Most ice rinks allow you to rent skates at an additional cost, but if anyone has any of them, they can also bring them.
15. Carol Karaoke
Carol karaoke is a more upbeat version of caroling and a more low-key version of karaoke. Many folks tend to be less self-conscious about singing Christmas carols than regular pop songs, and almost everyone knows the words to these holiday anthems.
• Grab a karaoke machine, microphone, television, projector screen, or laptop to set up Carol's karaoke. • Queue up a Christmas karaoke playlist and start belting out the tunes.
Pro tip: For extra fun, have singers write and perform parody lyrics to the tune of carols instead of singing the real words.
16. Holiday Origami
Origami is a fun and elegant holiday activity that teammates can enjoy together. Crafters can make Christmas shapes such as:
- Trees
- Stars
- Snowflakes
- Santas
- Present boxes
These projects can be ornaments, stocking stuffers, or decorations. Be sure to gather plenty of thick paper, preferably in Christmas colors in designs. Play a Christmas origami tutorial on a laptop or TV, and follow the instructions fold by fold. For more team crafts, check out this list of online group art classes.
17. Merry Murder Mystery
Murder mysteries might seem more appropriate for Halloween, but solving a Christmas-themed caper can be great fun. First, choose a Christmas-themed murder mystery, like Who Slayed Santa or Ho Ho Homocide.
Print out the scripts and materials, and gather props and decorations. Wearing costumes may help players get into character, so encourage your teammates to dress up, or provide outfits and accessories. Gather together, hand out roles, and play the game.
18. Cookie Swaps
Cookie swaps are all-dessert versions of a potluck. Each participant bakes at least one kind of cookie. The team brings the cookies into a meeting on a designated day and arranges buffet-style treats. Each team member makes a plate or box of assorted goodies and samples the cookies.
Participants can enjoy the desserts in the office, at home, or both places. Wherever they choose to chow down, team members should compliment each other on the cookies and ask for the recipe!
19. Video Christmas Card
Making a video Christmas card is a fun take on the traditional holiday greeting. Gather your group together and decide on a theme. Create a script and practice if necessary. Shoot the greeting. Edit the footage together. Holiday music is a must, and you can also add special effects. Send the finished product to your team and other coworkers, or post onto a company page.
Feel free to turn the video card creation into an office competition if teams are up to the challenge. Distributed teams can get in on the fun, too by recording clips separately and compiling those files together into one cohesive video or by recording a greeting during a Zoom meeting.
20. Ultimate Holiday Game Show (in-person or virtual)
Ultimate Holiday Game Show is an excellent idea for teams who prefer to bond through fierce competition. In this festive, 90-minute showcase, players face off in a series of classic game show challenges with seasonal spins.
Every game show is complete with a charismatic host, and only the most energetic teambuilding.com performers act as emcees to keep the mood merry.
21. New Year’s resolutions reflection
As the year ends, facilitate a reflective session where employees share their accomplishments and set goals for the upcoming year. This activity encourages self-awareness, team support, and a positive outlook for the future, fostering a sense of personal and collective growth within the team.
22. Holiday desk-decorating contest
Spur creativity by hosting a holiday desk-decorating contest. Encourage employees to transform their workspaces into winter wonderlands using decorations, lights, and seasonal items.
This friendly competition adds a holiday spirit to the office environment, promotes individual expression, and creates a visually festive atmosphere.
23. Virtual gift-wrapping workshop
Bring teams together for a virtual gift-wrapping workshop. Hire a professional gift-wrapping expert or have team members with strong wrapping skills share their tips and tricks. This collaborative and educational activity enhances the team’s gift-wrapping prowess and allows casual conversation and connection.
24. Holiday scavenger hunt
Organize a holiday-themed scavenger hunt in the office or virtually. Create a list of festive items or clues related to the season, and have teams compete to find or solve them. This interactive and lively activity promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and a sense of adventure, making it an engaging way to celebrate the holidays.
25. Virtual potluck party
Host a virtual potluck party where employees share their favorite holiday recipes and dishes. Participants can showcase their culinary skills by preparing and presenting their recipes during the virtual gathering. This delicious and communal activity celebrates diverse holiday traditions and provides a shared culinary experience that brings the team together.
26. Team-building board games party
Arrange a board games party with holiday-themed games or classics. Whether in-person or virtual, this relaxed and enjoyable activity allows team members to unwind, engage in friendly competition, and strengthen their bonds. Including games that require teamwork and strategy enhances collaboration while creating a festive and entertaining atmosphere.
27. White Elephant Gift Exchange
If you have played Secret Santa, you’ll love White Elephant Gift Exchanges. These involve bringing humorous gifts into the office to exchange with other team members.
Instead of choosing standard gifts, bring quirky and fun gifts that will surprise everyone in the office. Since White Elephant Gift Exchanges have lower expectations compared to a classic gift swap, they guarantee plenty of laughs and amusement for all participants.
28. Edible Paint Night with a Christmas Twist
It’s time to combine the fun of the holiday season with edible paints. Edible paint nights are tasty, fun, and artistic and suited for all types of work teams.
Cocoa butter-based paints create memorable works of art that will forever remember the Christmas season. December 8 is International Artists Day, so it is a nice day to celebrate by engaging in this holiday team-building activity.
29. Holiday Relay/Olympics
Holiday Relays or Olympics are energetic and exciting ways to add physical activity and festive fun to your team-building activities. Organize a series of holiday-themed relay races or Olympic-style events for in-office settings. These include snowball toss (using cotton balls), Christmas tree decorating races, or a gift-wrapping sprint. Create teams and set up different stations, ensuring safety and inclusivity for all participants.
For virtual teams, adapt the activities at home, such as a scavenger hunt relay or a holiday-themed charades competition. Participants can complete tasks individually and share their progress via video call. Use digital tools to track scores and create a sense of competition.
30. Christmas Light Tours
Elaborate light displays are a staple of the Christmas season. Taking Christmas light tours makes for an easy and inexpensive holiday team outing. Some cities host professional displays that charge admission by the carload.
You could also load up a bus or caravan of cars, drive to a neighborhood known for setting up bright yardscapes, or stroll the sidewalks. Capping the activity off with a round of cocoa makes for a perfect end to the evening.
31. Merry Meme-making
Memes are pictures and jokes that internet users share frequently. You and your team can create your own Christmas-themed memes by using a meme generator to add text to pictures. You can either follow a popular existing meme format, or come up with a new meme style by captioning holiday photos.
We recommend sharing the results in team emails or Slack threads, or printing out the best creations and hanging them around the office.
32. Holiday Happy Hours
Holiday happy hours make great Christmas social events for teams. These shindigs are informal meetups where teammates can sip and schmooze with a holiday twist. First, devise a menu of Christmas cocktails to host a holiday happy hour, such as poinsettia gin punches and peppermint martinis.
To make the activity more interactive, you can have attendees mix up their own holiday drinks. You can structure the happy hour with holiday games and activities such as trivia, Bingo, and Christmas-themed icebreaker questions to get the group interacting.
33. Holiday Feud
Holiday Feud is ideal for teams looking for a quick and festive way to bond during the hectic holiday season. In this short and sweet team-building challenge, groups face off to come up with the most popular responses to seasonal questions. A high-energy host keeps the mood jolly, and an animated game board with special effects brings a festive game show atmosphere to the experience.
34. Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the most fun holiday team outing ideas. Find a rink, preferably an outdoor one. Check whether the rink requires reservations and book a time for your group to skate if it does.
Even if the rink does not take bookings, you should research busy times to ensure your whole group can make it on the ice simultaneously. Choose a date and time to visit, rent skates or ask your teammates to bring their pairs, and then glide across the ice together.
35. Team Recipe Book
Folks tend to have strong sentimental feelings about holiday meals. Swapping beloved Christmas recipes can be a way for teammates to bond. To create a team recipe book, ask each teammate to submit at least one favorite holiday recipe.
For extra insight, ask participants to include a few lines explaining what the recipe means to them. Then, organize the recipes into book form using a program like:
- Canva
- In Design
- Google Drive
36. Stocking Stuffers
Instead of waiting to exchange gifts during Secret Santa, your team can spread generosity throughout the season by sneaking surprises into each other’s stockings. On December 1st, each teammate hangs a stocking on their desk, cubicle, or office door.
Throughout the month, coworkers slip kind notes and small gifts into each other’s stockings. To encourage more teammates to participate, you can provide participants with a stipend of $10 to$15 to $ use to buy goodies.
37. Advent Calendar Activities
Instead of choosing only one-holiday outing for the team, you can create a surprise schedule of seasonal events. Advent calendars are Christmas decorations that countdown the days until Christmas and contain surprises behind each date’s door.
You can designate different team happenings instead of filling a calendar with toys or chocolates. Each day, teams will check the calendar to find out the activity for the day. These exercises should be short and simple; for example, take a team hot cocoa break or tell the group about the best Christmas present you ever received.” However, you can also mix in a few larger events, such as team lunches or escape rooms.
38. Fantasy Christmas List
Fantasy Christmas List is a fun exercise in imagination. In this activity, teammates build extravagant Christmas wish lists of expensive and over-the-top items. Participants can hunt for extraordinary high-end items online or invent expensive gift requests.
Once lists are complete, participants should read the requests out loud to the group. You can do variations on the game, for instance, by giving participants a budget or by playing The Price Is Right and guessing the costs of the lush gifts.
39. Hot Cocoa Breaks
Come Christmas time, hot chocolate reigns supreme as the boss of beverages. Cocoa can take the place of coffee in your team’s break schedule. Simply set up a table full of hot cocoa and mix-ins like whipped cream, marshmallows, and peppermint dust, and invite your team to indulge in the drinks and interact with each other. You can also encourage employees to take one on one hot chocolate breaks to get to know coworkers better.
40. Holiday Movie Night
Christmas is its genre of film. There is no shortage of seasonal movies; many folks have fond feelings about Christmas classics. Setting up a holiday movie night is one of the easiest holiday team-building activities.
Choose a movie or give guests a couple of options to vote on. Get a large television, screen, or blank wall and projector to play the film. Gather your group and play the flick. A pajama dress code, fuzzy blankets, hot drinks, and Christmas-themed snacks like cookies or reindeer chow add special touches to seasonal movie nights. If your team is remote, then you can use an app like Teleparty to sync video while you watch together on a Zoom call.
41. Christmas Tradition
Starting a tradition is a way to give the team a unifying identity and the sense of being part of a larger community. Simply choose an activity to do annually to commemorate the holiday season, and commit to doing that exercise every year around the same time.
This action does not have to be directly Christmas-related. Perhaps the group buys cannolis from the local Italian bakery or plays laser tag on the last day before the holiday break. Teammates can look forward to the tradition throughout the season, and the repetition of the event becomes a part of the team culture.
42. Seasonal Team Playlist
Building a seasonal team playlist is one of the simplest team-building activities for Christmas. You can ask your teammates to name their favorite Christmas carols and add the suggestions to a song list. Then, play the team soundtrack in the office. If you work on a dispersed team, send the link to the list to employees to listen to while working from home.
Pro tip: To maximize the team-building factor, ask teammates to guess which coworker contributed to each song.
43. Ice Bar
Ice bars make for a more fun and memorable happy hour. These bar spaces are outfitted entirely in ice, from the tables to the drink glasses. Visiting these establishments makes for a new experience, not to mention a great photo op.
You can use Yelp or Google to find nearby ice bars. Sometimes, venues set up pop-ups just for the winter-time. If you live in a colder climate, you can DIY your own makeshift ice bar by finding a suitable outdoor space, purchasing a few large blocks of ice or ice sculptures, and using silicone molds to make frozen glasses.
44. Early New Years Eve Party
New Years Eve is a holiday in most workplaces, and chances are, you will not be hanging out with your coworkers on December 31. You and your team can celebrate the holiday by throwing an Early New Years Eve Party.
Simply stage a party with champagne flutes, noisemakers, and novelty year-shaped glasses. You and your guests can make and share resolutions and countdown to imaginary midnight. This event can serve as a reset for teams to close out the current year and build excitement for the future.
45. Holiday Trivia
Holiday Trivia is one of the best team Christmas games. In this competition, players pool their knowledge and work together to answer festive questions and beat out other teams. To play the game, first develop a series of holiday-themed questions.
You can use the Kahoot! app to facilitate the game, or you can have groups answer the old-fashioned way by buzzing in before other teams or writing down the answers. You could also give groups a worksheet to complete for each round.
At the start of the game, split the players into teams and ask each group to choose a fun holiday team name. Then, read off the questions and keep score. At the end of the game, name winners and award prizes.
Pro tip: Using multimedia tools like video clips and audio files in question makes the game more exciting.
46. Acts of Kindness
Christmas is a time of goodwill and service, and random acts of kindness are among the most thoughtful team gestures. For this exercise, challenge participants to perform a minimum number of good deeds throughout the game.
You can give players a list of suggestions, such as holding the door or buying a teammate a sweet, and can also issue daily challenges, such as giving five genuine compliments to coworkers today. There is no need to keep score, although players are welcome to keep track of the tasks for an extra warm-fuzzy factor.
47. Sustainable Craft Workshops
Sustainable Craft Workshops are an excellent way to combine creativity with eco-consciousness during the holiday season. They can be conducted in-office or virtually.
Provide materials such as recycled paper, natural fibers, and eco-friendly paints for in-office settings. Projects can include making holiday decorations, wrapping, or even upcycling old items into festive ornaments. For virtual teams, send out a list of required materials or mail craft kits in advance. Host a live workshop over a video call, where an instructor can guide participants through each project step-by-step.
Encourage participants to share their progress and completed crafts by turning on their cameras or posting pictures in a shared online space.
48. Never Have I Ever: Christmas Edition
Play a game of holiday Never Have I Ever with your team! Choose from our work-friendly prompts and learn more about your colleagues and their holiday experiences, mistakes, and traditions.
- Never Have I Ever…forgot to get someone important a Christmas gift?
- Never Have I Ever…messed up a key component of Christmas dinner?
- Never Have I Ever… regifted a present?
- Never Have I Ever…hosted a holiday party?
- Never Have I Ever…taken a picture with a mall Santa?
49. Volunteering and Giving Back
The holidays are all about giving back to the community and focusing on goodwill toward all. And that’s why finding ways to volunteer and give back is an amazing way to celebrate.
Volunteering is also essential for employee morale. 65% of employees want to work for organizations with strong social consciences. Finding ways for your organization to give back can boost employee morale, support a stronger and more vibrant company culture, and even support a more profitable bottom line.
50. Holiday Workouts
When you think about the holidays, the first thing that comes to mind might be lots of festive food and drinks. But if your team is full of fitness lovers, doing a festive workout can be a great way to balance out all those indulgences.
This can be anything from hiring a yoga instructor to lead a holiday-themed session to hosting a 30-minute group workout. Just make sure to keep the holiday music playing and be cognizant that you’re choosing a type of activity that will suit everyone on your team.
51. Human Snowball Fight
Human snowball fights are a fun winter team-building game in which players launch themselves at other players instead of tossing cold, wet snowballs. To do this activity, first rent bubble soccer equipment.
Split the group into two teams and suit up. Wear colored jerseys under the bubble will help players keep track of the separate side. When the whistle blows, players start bumping into each other. Players who get knocked to the ground must stay down until the end of the round. The round continues until only one side has players remaining. You can play as many rounds as you would like, and can add variations on the game as well.
52. Holiday Dinner
Holiday dinners are one of the most common team-building activities for Christmas. During these gatherings, coworkers come together, share a meal, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on the past year. Typically, employers pick up the cost for dinner, either by making a reservation at a restaurant or ordering catering.
A boss may also host a team dinner at his or her house to thank the team. The team may cook for each other potluck-style or by taking a holiday group cooking class together.
53. Seasonal Stations
One fun way to structure an office Christmas party or spirit week is to designate each department as the home base for a different holiday activity. For example, accounting may set up a cookie decorating station while sales stage photos with Santa.
Guests can wander between the different stations and enjoy seasonal entertainment together. To encourage participants to visit every station, you can hand out holiday passports and reward individuals who turn in books with stamps from every station.
Tips to Host Successful Holiday Team Building Activities
Set the Stage with a Clear Goal
Define the purpose of your holiday team-building event. Whether you want to boost morale, foster collaboration, or just celebrate the season, having a clear goal will guide your planning. This will ensure that the activities align with your objectives and keep everyone on the same page.
Keep it Together with a Holiday Party Checklist
Develop a checklist to keep track of all the planning elements like:
- Venue
- Decorations
- Catering
- Activities
Staying organized is key; a checklist will help you ensure every detail is noticed.
Theme It Up
Select a theme that resonates with your team. A holiday theme can enhance the festive spirit and guide your choice of decorations, activities, and food. Themes can range from traditional holiday celebrations to more unique concepts like winter wonderlands or festive sports.
Budget Wisely
Establish a budget covering all event aspects, including food, decorations, activities, and any entertainment. Be mindful of costs and look for creative ways to celebrate without overspending. You’d be surprised at how much you can do on a budget.
Engage Your Team
Ask your team for their input on activities to get them involved in the planning process. This can increase participation and enthusiasm. Consider surveying to gather ideas and preferences, ensuring that the chosen activities appeal to a wide range of employees.
Foster Connections with Small Groups
Divide participants into smaller groups for activities. This makes it easier for everyone to engage and interact, fostering deeper connections among team members. Small groups also facilitate better communication and collaboration.
Change the Scenery with an Offsite Location
Consider hosting the event offsite. A change of scenery can help employees feel more relaxed and open to participating in team-building activities. An offsite venue can also minimize workplace distractions.
Incentivize Participation with Gifts and Prizes
Incorporate gifts and prizes for games and competitions to encourage participation. Prizes don’t have to be extravagant; even small tokens like gift cards or holiday-themed items can motivate team members to engage more fully in the activities.
Capture the Memories
Document the event by taking photos or videos. This creates lasting memories and provides material for future team-building promotions or reflections. Encourage team members to share their experiences on social media or within the company.
Learn and Improve with Feedback
After the event, ask for feedback from participants to understand what worked well and what could be improved. This information will be invaluable for planning future team-building activities and ensuring they continue to meet your team's needs.
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Related Reading
• Office Holiday Party Gift Ideas • New Year Team Building Activities • Holiday Gifts For Remote Employees • Account Based Marketing Gifts • Holiday Swag Ideas • Holiday Bonuses • Thanksgiving Employee Appreciation Ideas • New Year Corporate Gifts • Holiday Party Gift Ideas For Employees • Gift Giving At Work Guidelines • Holiday Staff Appreciation Ideas
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