The year is quickly coming to a close and talk in the office is turning to one thing - the office Christmas party.

Now if you're in charge of organising the festive celebrations it can feel like a lot of pressure. But don't worry, your Christmas wishes have been answered and we're here with a Santa's sack full of awesome office Christmas party ideas that are bound to get everyone in the festive spirit. 

But before we get into the fun party activities, let's take a look at why hosting an office Christmas party is so important... 

The Importance of a Christmas Party

Office Christmas parties are more than just a chance to wear ugly Christmas jumpers and enjoy some festive cheer—they're an important part of building a strong, happy workplace culture. When people gather outside of their usual work roles, it helps to break down barriers, boosts team morale, and strengthens connections in a way that day-to-day meetings can’t.

Studies show that when employees feel a sense of belonging and are happy in their job their productivity increases, sick days drop, and they’re less likely to leave their jobs. A happy workplace isn’t just good for people—it’s great for business!

As well as these benefits, having lots of festive gatherings in the office also adds an element of fun and play, which can work wonders for creativity and innovation. Taking time to laugh, relax, and connect can spark fresh ideas and leave employees feeling more motivated and engaged.

So, while they might seem like just another end-of-year tradition, Christmas office parties can be a powerful way to show appreciation, build stronger teams, and start the new year on a high. It's no wonder the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) describes Christmas parties as the most popular Christmas perk.

Oh, and no matter what office party you choose to host this holiday season, you should know that 55% of employees agree that they should be allowed to come in later the following day! 

Now we know why they're important, let's take a look at some fun festive party ideas…

1. Christmas Jumper Party

If you're not already, you should start taking part in Save The Children's annual Christmas Jumper Day. Taking place on 12th December 2024, Christmas Jumper Day is a day where everyone can show off their Christmas jumpers (also known as ugly sweaters - the rule of thumb is: the uglier, the better!).

This is a great, fun and easy way to get everyone into the festive spirit. Even remote workers can join in the fun and show off their festive flair in a Christmas catwalk!

You could even turn it into a fun contest and hand out prizes for the loudest, brightest, ugliest, most outrageous, or best homemade jumpers.

2. Christmas Karaoke Party

Okay, so this idea probably hasn't even crossed your mind until now but it's made our list for good reason. People love throwing shapes on the dancefloor at the Office Christmas Party so why not take it up a notch by providing a Christmas soundtrack and letting your employees belt out classic holiday carols and Christmas hits. 

It’s a fantastic way to loosen up, have fun and strengthen office bonds by creating memorable moments to a soundtrack of festive favourites.

And who knows, you could be surprised and discover you have the next Adele working for you!

3. Christmas Cooking Party

Here's a recipe for a fun holiday party idea: a Christmas cooking class. This immersive experience turns your team into culinary masters for the day and is the perfect way to bring your team together. After all, food is the way to a person's heart! 

There are lots of team building cookery schools and cooking classes available, or, if you've got the space you can bring in private chefs for a more intimate gathering. And if you have a remote team, no problem—go virtual! Send out ingredient boxes in advance, and your employees can join in from their own kitchens, sharing their creations over video chat.

There’s nothing like a little friendly rivalry to spice things up, so you could also offer prizes for categories like “Best Tasting” or “Most Creative Dish.”

4. Christmas Cocktail Making Party

You could shake things up a bit this holiday season and host a Christmas cocktail making party. It's a fun, interactive party experience that is great for team building and will definitely get everyone in the festive spirit!

Invite a professional mixologist to the office, or visit a local cocktail bar for a masterclass and create favourite festive cocktails like peppermint martinis, eggnog cocktails or even the classic mulled wine.

Don't forget though, not everyone drinks so make sure there's plenty of delicious mocktails that are alcohol-free! 

5. Christmas in a Box

If your staff are located all across the country, it can be difficult to find a party venue that works for everyone. If that's the case, then you need a Christmas in a box.

This party box can be for everyone to enjoy in their own time, or you can arrange a virtual Christmas party and ask everyone to save their box until then. That way everyone can open their presents together. 

Depending on your spending limit, your box of Christmas-themed items could include:

• - Christmas cracker
• - Party popper
• - Candy Cane
• - Holiday gourmet treats
• - Pre-mixed Cocktail Can
• - Gift card
• - Branded Christmas ornament
• - Personalised Christmas card

As well as these Christmas treats, you could really make a difference to your teams Christmas with extra benefits, like:

• - MyGymDiscounts - employees get up to 25% off a gym membership
• - bYond - employees get up to 15% cashback with over 70 UK high street brands
• - Extras Discounts - employees save up to 15% on the cost of gift cards
• - Cyclescheme - employees save up to 42% on a new bike and cycling equipment - including e-bikes.
• - Home & Tech Scheme - save and spread the cost on 1000's of home and tech items at Curry's and Ikea

Adding extra benefits like these to your Christmas box is a gift that will keep on giving. Not only are they completely free for you to offer when you join BHN Extras, they will help ease the financial pressure on employees this Christmas and beyond. 

6. Christmas Quiz

Is it really the festive season if you don't do a Christmas quiz? We don't think so! 

Bring out everyone's competitive spirit and holiday cheer with a quiz on Christmas movies, traditions and even some cheeky office trivia that will get everyone laughing. Get teams to come up with creative holiday themed names and deck themselves out with Santa hats or Christmas jumpers for bonus points. 

You can award prizes to the winning team, best name and the team with the best festive cheer.

If you have remote employees, don't forget to get them to join in the fun online!

7. White Elephant Gift Exchange Party

If you're looking for laughs, surprises and a touch of chaos then a White Elephant gift exchange is perfect for you! It doesn't matter if your name's on the naughty list - everyone gets a gift in the white elephant gift exchange!

Here’s how it works: each participant brings a wrapped gift that fits within a set budget. The gifts are placed in a central pile, and everyone takes turns choosing a present to unwrap—or swiping one that’s already been opened by someone else!

It’s unpredictable, exciting, and guaranteed to bring out everyone’s playful side. Whether it’s a quirky gag gift, a surprisingly thoughtful find, or a hilariously odd item, the beauty of a White Elephant exchange is that you never quite know what you’re going to get.

It's the perfect way to add some surprise and sparkle to the festive season!

8. Pantomime Party

Isn't this the best festive theme party idea? "Oh, no it isn't." "Oh, YES IT IS!!" That's just one of the classic pantomime phrases you're sure to hear if you host a pantomime-themed Christmas party.

As far as festive themed parties go, you can't beat this classic. Encourage employees to dress up as their favourite panto characters—think Aladdin, Cinderella, or even the silliest Dame—and watch the laughter unfold.

You can transform your venue or office into a space fit for a panto, or you can take the panto on the road and spread Christmas cheer with silly skits and improv in your local bar.

An unforgettable night is guaranteed as colleagues dressed as the likes of Aladdin, Widow Twankey, and Buttons take centre stage to cries of 'It's behind you!'

9. Secret Santa Party

Nothing says Christmas like the joy (and the air of mystery) of a Secret Santa gift exchange. It’s the perfect way to spread festive cheer and add a personal touch to your office celebration.

The goal of this gift-giving holiday classic is to secretly buy someone a gift that's perfect for them. If your teams are already feeling the pinch this Christmas then a cost-free alternative to the traditional Secret Santa gifts is to ask employees to create personalised Christmas-themed cards, which could include heart-warming compliments or funny anecdotes.

If you are doing a Secret Santa gift exchange, then make sure you check out the top five worst Secret Santa gifts before you go shopping!

10. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

A Christmas scavenger hunt is a great party game that's guaranteed to bring out everyone's competitive spirit and get everyone laughing. 

Create a list of holiday themed items or challenges that teams must find or complete in a set timeframe. It could be snapping a selfie with Santa, hearing a Michael Bublé song in a public space, singing a carol to someone, or even finding a star for the top of the tree.

Whatever is on your scavenger hunt list, it's bound to be a festive night to remember! 

11. Remote Office Party

28% of people are hybrid workers in 2024. So, getting everyone in one place at one time for an office-based Christmas party can be difficult.

Luckily, it's never been easier to include remote employees in the festivities with a virtual holiday party. You can invite remote workers to join the main office Christmas party but we suggest that you host one especially for them too. No one wants to be sat on a screen in the corner of a room full of people chatting! 

Here are a few virtual festive party ideas to get your employees celebrating together online:

• - Trivia Christmas quiz
• - Virtual gift exchange
• - Carol singing
• - Classic Games
• - Virtual Christmas jumper contest
• - Holiday recipe swap
• - Game of bingo

12. Festive Escape Room Party

Turn your office Christmas party into an immersive adventure by transforming a room within your office into a Christmas-themed escape room. Your festive scenario could be Santa's workshop, a winter wonderland, or even a gingerbread house.

Working together in teams, colleagues will need to solve puzzles, riddles and codes in order to escape from the locked room. It's a great party idea for teamwork, collaboration, and an adrenaline rush.

Just don't forget to set a time limit or your employees could be in there all day!

13. Charitable Party

Embrace the spirit of giving this festive season and host a charitable Christmas party that gives back to the local community.

37% of employees feel more connected to their company if they have the opportunity to participate in charitable events, and what better time to give back than at Christmas? 

As a team, you could:

• - Collect items for the local food bank
• - Volunteer at a local shelter
• - Host a charity auction

As well as helping those in need, these acts of kindness help to foster a sense of community and culture of togetherness in the organisation.

14. Winter Wellness Party

It probably won't come as a surprise that 51% of women and 35% of men find Christmas to be stressful  - whether it's the thought of buying presents, the financial impact of the festive season or just trying to juggle all the holiday commitments.

This year, why not ditch the traditional work Christmas party in favour of a day focused on self-care and wellbeing? You can help your employees unwind and recharge by treating them to a pampering spa session, or inviting everyone to participate in calming activities like yoga, aromatherapy workshops, or guided meditation sessions.

You can even set up cosy spaces with soft lighting, calming scents, and relaxing music to help employees unwind in the office. 

15. Christmas Movie Party

Transform your biggest meeting space into a cosy cinema for a Christmas movie party that's full of nostalgic joy and the perfect way to add a touch of magic to your celebration.

Bring out the comfy seats with lots of cushions, blankets and snacks, set up a big screen that everyone can relax in front of and get ready to enjoy a mega movie marathon of Christmas films.

From the laugh out loud antics of Elf, the timeless charm of It's a Wonderful Life or the childhood dreams of Home Alone, there are so many classics to choose from. To make sure everyone's favourites are included, you can ask everyone to vote for their favourite Christmas film beforehand the showing.

The question is, will Die Hard be on your classic Christmas film list? 

Want to keep the Christmas cheer going?

From unforgettable parties to thoughtful gifts, creating memorable moments for your team is the best way to end the year on a high and get ready for an amazing year ahead.

While we can't organise your office Christmas party, we can help keep your staff smiling all year round with awesome employee benefits.

To find out more, get in touch today on 0208 159 9430, via our contact page, or by emailing enquiries@workplaceextras.com