Make your office holiday party a night to remember this year with fun decorations and games. Depending on the size of your office, holiday parties can get expensive. Cut back on costs when you focus the event on opportunities for fun and funny interactions.
Decorations
Whether you want a seasonal theme, a Christmas theme, or any other winter holiday theme, you need an overarching concept to pull the event together. The best way to send your message is with decorations. If you don’t have a big budget, these DIY decorations make a big impact without breaking the bank.
- Wrap plaques, wall hangings, and framed art or photos with Christmas wrapping paper then hang them back on the wall to look like presents. Add festive bows and ribbon for a more elaborate look.
- Spray windows with fake snow.
- Pin buttons and ribbon on white pillar candles as the eyes, scarf, and buttons of a snowman.
- Tie festive ribbon in bows on the backs of chairs.
- Cover tall glass jars or vases with Santa and elf hats for an easy centerpiece. The glass object helps the hat stand tall.
- Choose tablecloths and napkins in holiday colors that can be reused for other holidays. Red is a great choice because you can use them again for Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and birthday parties.
- Create Naughty/Nice List to post on the wall using poster board and markers. Add pictures of each employee in one column then embellish the pictures with stickers like Santa hats, elf ears, or reindeer antlers.
Games
Party games help people get to know each other better and create instant memories. Christmas office party games include classic ice breakers with a holiday twist and seasonal activities.
Some party guests, like employee spouses, won’t necessarily know everyone in the room. Help people with introductions by planning a few ice breaker activities.
- Write trivia questions about the company or the holiday on disposable cups. When people get their drinks they can ask each other about the trivia.
- Write the name of each employee inside a Christmas card and place one card at each table setting. Challenge party-goers to find the person whose name is on the card where they’re sitting before the end of the party.
- Give each guest a Christmas pin to wear during the party. Every time a guest catches someone saying Merry Christmas, he can take that person’s pin and wear it. The person with the most pins at the end of the party gets an extra gift.
If you’ll be handing out employee gifts, turn the giving into a game to help people feel more comfortable.
- See who can unwrap the gift in the fastest time.
- Hide gifts on the underside of chairs so each guest doesn’t see it at first. When it’s time to open everyone will feel like they’re on a game show as you instruct them to look under their seats.
- Hide gifts around the room and direct employees to open the first one they find.
No matter what kind of party you host or how much is in your budget, you can host a holiday office party. Keep the atmosphere festive and encourage fun to ensure everyone has a great time.