The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and bringing people together. What better way to enjoy the festive spirit than with some fun and engaging Christmas party games at the office? Whether you're looking to break the ice, build team camaraderie, or have a good time, these 30 office Christmas party games are sure to make your event unforgettable.
Icebreaker Games
Two Truths and a Lie
Kick off your party with this classic icebreaker. Each participant shares two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The rest of the group guesses which one is the lie. It's a great way to learn more about your colleagues and start the party with laughter.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Participants who are willing to share some facts about themselves.
HOW TO PLAY:
- Each participant comes up with two true statements and one false statement about themselves.
- One by one, each participant shares their statements with the group.
- The rest of the group tries to guess which statement is the lie.
- After everyone had guessed, the participant revealed which statement was false.
- Continue with the next person until everyone has had a turn.
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Human Christmas Tree
Divide the group into teams and give them decorations like tinsel, ornaments, and garlands. One member of each team acts as the "tree" while the others decorate them. The most creative and festive "tree" wins a prize!
YOU'LL NEED:
- Decorations like tinsel, ornaments, garlands, etc.
- Teams of participants.
HOW TO PLAY:
- Divide the participants into teams.
- Choose one member from each team to act as the "tree."
- The remaining team members decorate their designated "tree" using the provided decorations.
- Set a time limit for decorating (e.g., 5-10 minutes).
- Once time is up, each team presents their decorated "tree" to the group.
- The group votes on the most creative and festive "tree."
- The team with the winning "tree" can be awarded a prize or recognition for their creativity.
Team-Building Games
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of holiday-themed items for teams to find around the office or a designated area. This could include things like a candy cane, a Santa hat, or a Christmas card. The first team to find all the items wins!
YOU'LL NEED:
- A list of holiday-themed items (e.g., candy cane, Santa hat, Christmas card)
- Teams of participants
HOW TO PLAY:
- Prepare the List: Create a list of holiday items that teams need to find.
- Set the Scene: Designate the area (office, building, or specific rooms) where teams will search.
- Start the Hunt: Give each team a copy of the list and set them off to find the items.
- Winning: The first team to find all the items on the list wins the scavenger hunt.
- Prizes: Award prizes for the winning team or teams based on their performance or completion time.
Gingerbread House Competition
Supply each team with a gingerbread house kit and set a time limit. Teams must work together to build and decorate their houses. Award prizes for the most creative, most festive, and best overall houses.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Gingerbread house kits (one per team)
- Decorating materials (icing, candies, sprinkles, etc.)
- Judging criteria (creativity, festiveness, overall appearance)
HOW TO PLAY:
- Setup: Provide each team with a gingerbread house kit and necessary decorating materials.
- Time Limit: Set a specific time limit for teams to build and decorate their gingerbread houses.
- Decorating: Teams work together to construct and decorate their houses according to their creative vision.
- Judging: Assign judges or have participants vote on categories like most creative, most festive, and best overall house.
- Prizes: Award prizes to winning teams based on the judging criteria.
Creative Games
Ornament Decorating Contest
Provide plain ornaments and various decorating supplies, such as paint, glitter, and stickers. Let everyone decorate their own ornament, then vote on the best designs. This activity not only sparks creativity but also results in personalized decorations for the office tree.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Plain ornaments
- Paint
- Glitter
- Stickers
- Brushes.
HOW TO PLAY:
- Provide each participant with plain ornaments and decorating supplies.
- Allow time for everyone to decorate their ornaments creatively.
- Once finished, gather all the ornaments and display them.
- Have a voting session where participants vote on the best designs.
- Award prizes or recognition to the winners.
Christmas Photo Booth
Set up a photo booth with fun holiday props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and festive backdrops. Encourage everyone to take photos and create lasting memories of the event.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Props like Santa hats
- reindeer antlers
- festive scarves
- camera or smartphone.
HOW TO PLAY:
- Set up a designated area with a backdrop and holiday-themed props.
- Encourage people to dress up and pose with the props.
- Ensure someone is available to take photos or set up a timer on a camera.
- Share the photos digitally or print them out for a keepsake.
Stocking Decorating Contest
Hosting this activity at your office Christmas party fosters creativity and encourages team bonding by enabling participants to share and discover each other's talents. Moreover, it adds a fun, competitive element where one skilled artisan can shine among colleagues, fostering a festive spirit of friendly rivalry. Ultimately, celebrating victory in such friendly competitions embodies the true essence of the holiday season.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Stockings
- Decorating supplies like glitter, ribbons, and markers
HOW TO PLAY:
- Set up a designated decorating area with tables and chairs.
- Encourage participants to unleash their creativity by decorating their stockings.
- Vote on the best-decorated stocking for a prize.
Guessing Games
Christmas Carol Pictionary
Write down the titles of popular Christmas carols on slips of paper. Players take turns drawing a slip and then drawing clues for their team to guess the carol. It's a hilarious way to test your team's knowledge of holiday music.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Slips of paper
- Pens or markers
HOW TO PLAY:
- Write down the titles of popular Christmas carols on slips of paper.
- Players take turns drawing a slip from the pile.
- The player then has to draw clues on a whiteboard or paper for their team to guess the Christmas carol.
- The team has a limited amount of time to guess correctly.
- Teams earn points for each carol they successfully guess within the time limit.
Guess the Christmas Movie
Play short clips or describe scenes from popular Christmas movies. Teams must guess the movie based on the clip or description. This game is sure to bring out the movie buffs in your group!
YOU'LL NEED:
- Clips from popular Christmas movies (or descriptions if clips aren't available)
- A way to play the clips (such as a laptop or TV)
HOW TO PLAY:
- Prepare short clips from various popular Christmas movies. Alternatively, prepare descriptions of memorable scenes from these movies.
- Divide players into teams.
- Play each clip or read out each description to the teams.
- Teams must guess the name of the Christmas movie based on the clip or description provided.
- Each correct guess earns the team points.
- The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Trivia Games
Christmas Trivia Quiz
Prepare a quiz with questions about Christmas traditions, history, and pop culture. Divide the group into teams and see who knows the most about the holiday season. This game is both educational and entertaining.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Christmas trivia questions (about traditions, history, pop culture)
- Pen and paper or a device to keep score
- Teams (divide your group into teams)
HOW TO PLAY:
- Prepare Questions: Create a list of trivia questions covering various aspects of Christmas, such as traditions (e.g., the origin of the Christmas tree), history (e.g., when was the first Christmas celebrated), and pop culture (e.g., famous Christmas songs).
- Form Teams: Divide the participants into teams. Ideally, each team should have an equal number of players.
- Ask Questions: Start asking the questions one by one. Each team takes turns answering. You can decide on a scoring system—awarding points for correct answers or deducting points for incorrect ones.
- Keep Score: Designate someone to keep track of scores. You can tally points after each round or at the end of the game.
- Declare a Winner: The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. To make it more competitive and fun, you can award the winning team a prize.
Holiday Movie Trivia
For this trivia game, focus specifically on holiday movies. Ask questions about famous lines, actors, and plots from classic Christmas films. It's a great way to celebrate everyone's favorite festive flicks.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Trivia questions about holiday movies (famous lines, actors, plots)
- Pen and paper or a device to keep score
- Teams (similar setup as the Christmas trivia game)
HOW TO PLAY:
- Prepare Questions: Create a list of trivia questions focusing on holiday movies. Include questions about famous lines (e.g., "You'll shoot your eye out!"), actors (e.g., who played the Grinch), and plots (e.g., what happens on the Polar Express).
- Form Teams: Divide the players into teams, ensuring each team has an equal number of participants.
- Ask Questions: Begin asking the movie-related questions. Each team gets a chance to answer, and points can be awarded or deducted based on correct or incorrect answers.
- Scorekeeping: Assign someone the role of scorekeeper. Keep track of each team's points throughout the game.
- Determine the Winner: The team with the highest score at the end of all the questions wins. Consider having a small prize or recognition for the winning team members.
Active Games
Office Chair Races
Clear a space in the office and set up a racecourse. Participants race around the course in their office chairs. This game is sure to get everyone moving and laughing.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Office chairs
- A clear space in the office for the racecourse
HOW TO PLAY:
- Mark a starting line and a finish line.
- Participants race around the course in their office chairs.
- The first one to cross the finish line wins!
Christmas Limbo
Set up a limbo stick decorated with tinsel and play some festive music. See how low your colleagues can go while keeping the holiday spirit high.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Limbo stick decorated with tinsel
- Festive music
HOW TO PLAY:
- Play festive music to set the mood.
- Participants take turns limboing under the stick.
- Lower the stick after each round. The last person standing wins.
Food-Related Games
Cookie Decorating Contest
Provide plain cookies and various decorating supplies, such as icing, sprinkles, and candies. Let everyone decorate their own cookies, then vote on the best designs. This tasty activity is fun for all ages.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Plain cookies
- Icing, sprinkles, candies, and other decorating supplies
HOW TO PLAY:
- Provide each participant with a cookie and decorating supplies.
- Let them decorate their cookies creatively.
- Vote on the best-decorated cookie. The winner gets a prize.
Christmas Taste Test
Set up a taste test with various holiday treats, such as gingerbread, eggnog, and fruitcake. Blindfold participants and have them guess what they're tasting. The person with the most correct guesses wins a prize.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Holiday treats like gingerbread, eggnog, and fruitcake
- Blindfolds
HOW TO PLAY:
- Blindfold participants.
- Have them taste different holiday treats, and guess what they are.
- The person with the most correct guesses wins.
Relay Games
Gift Wrapping Relay
Divide into teams and set up a relay race where each team must wrap a gift as quickly as possible. The catch? They can only use one hand each! This game is sure to result in lots of laughter and some creatively wrapped presents.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Wrapping paper
- Tape
- Ribbons
- Scissors
HOW TO PLAY:
- Divide into teams.
- Set up a relay race where each team wraps a gift with one hand each.
- The fastest and most creatively wrapped gift wins.
Snowball Toss Relay
Set up a course with buckets or baskets at varying distances. Teams take turns tossing "snowballs" (white cotton balls or ping pong balls) into the targets. The team with the most successful tosses wins.
YOU'LL NEED:
- "Snowballs" (cotton balls or ping pong balls)
- Buckets or baskets at varying distances
HOW TO PLAY:
- Set up a course with the targets.
- Teams take turns tossing snowballs into the targets.
- The team with the most successful tosses wins.
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Mystery Games
Secret Santa
Have participants draw names from a hat to determine who they will be buying a gift for. Set a price limit and encourage thoughtful, creative gifts. The excitement of finding out who your Secret Santa is will keep everyone engaged.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Hat
- Paper slips with participants' names
- Price limit guideline
HOW TO PLAY:
- Have each participant secretly draw a name from the hat.
- Set a price limit for gifts.
- Encourage thoughtful, creative gifts.
- Keep the names secret until the gift exchange to maintain excitement.
Christmas Murder Mystery
Organize a murder mystery game with a Christmas theme. Assign roles to participants and provide them with clues. They must work together to solve the mystery before the party ends.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Roles assigned to participants
- Clue sheets
- Timer (optional)
HOW TO PLAY:
- Assign roles with a Christmas-themed storyline.
- Distribute clues that participants must solve.
- Work together to uncover the mystery before the party ends.
- Optional: Set a timer to add suspense.
Virtual Party Games
Virtual Ugly Sweater Contest
Host an ugly sweater contest via video call. Participants wear their ugliest holiday sweaters and vote on the best (or worst) one. This game is perfect for remote teams who still want to celebrate together.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Video call platform
- Ugly holiday sweaters
HOW TO PLAY:
- Host a video call with participants wearing their ugliest holiday sweaters.
- Vote for the best (or worst) sweater.
- Enjoy a fun-filled virtual gathering.
Online Christmas Bingo
Create bingo cards with holiday-themed words or images. Play online and mark off the squares as you call out the words. The first person to get a bingo wins!
YOU'LL NEED:
- Holiday-themed bingo cards
- Online bingo caller tool
HOW TO PLAY:
- Distribute bingo cards with holiday words or images.
- Call out words or show pictures online.
- Mark off squares as called until someone gets bingo.
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Charity Games
Holiday Food Drive Competition
Encourage teams to collect non-perishable food items for a local food bank. The team that collects the most items wins a prize, and everyone feels good about giving back during the holiday season.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Collection boxes for food items
- Tracking system for items collected
HOW TO PLAY:
- Form teams to collect non-perishable food items for a local food bank.
- The team with the most items collected wins a prize.
- Promote community goodwill during the holidays.
Toy Drive Contest
Similar to the food drive, organize a competition to collect toys for children in need. This game promotes the spirit of giving and can make a big difference in your community.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Collection boxes for toys
- Tracking system for toys collected
HOW TO PLAY:
- Organize a competition to collect toys for children in need.
- Promote the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
- Make a difference in your community.
Classic Games
Christmas Charades
Write down holiday-themed words and phrases on slips of paper. Players take turns acting them out without speaking while their team guesses. This classic game is always a hit.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Holiday-themed words and phrases written on slips of paper
HOW TO PLAY:
- Players take turns acting out the words or phrases without speaking.
- Their team members guess the word or phrase.
- Continue until all slips of paper have been used. This classic game is always a hit.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
Everyone brings a wrapped gift to the party and draws numbers to determine the order. Participants can choose to open a new gift or steal an already-opened one. The result is a fun and unpredictable exchange of gifts.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Wrapped gifts brought by each participant
HOW TO PLAY:
- Participants draw numbers to determine the order.
- Number one chooses and opens a gift.
- Subsequent numbers can either choose a new gift or steal an opened one.
- The fun and unpredictability make for a lively gift exchange.
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Crafty Games
Christmas Card Making
Provide supplies for making Christmas cards, such as cardstock, markers, stickers, and stamps. Participants can create cards to send to family, friends, or even local nursing homes or hospitals.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Cardstock, markers, stickers, stamps, etc.
HOW TO PLAY:
- Provide supplies for making Christmas cards.
- Participants create personalized cards for loved ones or community members.
- This activity adds a personal touch to holiday greetings.
Holiday Wreath Workshop
Offer materials like wreath forms, ribbons, and ornaments. Let everyone make their holiday wreaths to take home. This creative activity is perfect for adding a personal touch to holiday decorations.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Wreath forms, ribbons, ornaments, etc.
HOW TO PLAY:
- Offer materials for making holiday wreaths.
- Participants craft their wreaths to take home.
- It's a creative way to decorate for the holidays.
Family-Friendly Games
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
This is a holiday twist on the classic "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." Blindfolded participants try to pin a red nose on a picture of Rudolph. It's simple, fun, and great for all ages.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Picture of Rudolph with a missing red nose
- Red noses (or cutouts) to pin
HOW TO PLAY:
- Blindfolded participants attempt to pin the red nose on Rudolph.
- The closest to the correct spot wins. Simple and fun for all ages.
Christmas Storytime
Gather everyone around and take turns reading classic Christmas stories. This game is perfect for creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere and is especially enjoyable for those with a knack for storytelling.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Classic Christmas storybooks
HOW TO PLAY:
- Gather everyone to take turns reading or listening to Christmas stories.
- Perfect for creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
"Who am I:" Holiday Edition
This is a fun, low-prep game suitable for times when extensive preparation isn't desired. It offers a relaxed option for entertainment without the need for elaborate setups. It's perfect for spontaneous gatherings or casual evenings when minimal planning is preferred.
YOU'LL NEED:
- Name tags or sticky notes
- Holiday-themed names or characters
HOW TO PLAY:
- Write down holiday-themed names or characters on name tags or sticky notes.
- Stick them on participants' foreheads without them seeing.
- They ask yes/no questions to guess who they are.
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FAQs
How can I make my office Christmas party more engaging?
Incorporate a mix of games that cater to different interests and energy levels. Use icebreakers, creative contests, and team-building activities to keep everyone involved and entertained.
What are some low-cost Christmas party games?
Games like "Two Truths and a Lie," "Christmas Charades," and "Guess the Christmas Movie" require minimal materials and can be played with items you already have. Creativity and enthusiasm are key!
How can I involve remote team members in the office Christmas party?
Host virtual games such as a "Virtual Ugly Sweater Contest" or "Online Christmas Bingo." Use video conferencing tools to include remote employees in the festivities.
What are some unique Christmas party game ideas?
Try a "Gingerbread House Competition," "Christmas Murder Mystery," or a "Holiday Wreath Workshop." These games offer a creative twist and can make your party stand out.
How can I ensure everyone participates in the games?
Choose a variety of games that appeal to different personalities and comfort levels. Encourage participation by offering small prizes and creating a positive, inclusive atmosphere.
Can I customize these games for my office party?
Absolutely! Feel free to adapt any of these games to fit better your office culture, available space, and resources. Customization can make the games more relevant and enjoyable for your team.
Conclusion
Incorporating games into your office Christmas party not only boosts team spirit but also fosters camaraderie among colleagues, making the event more memorable. These 30 office Christmas party games cater to various preferences, from icebreakers that help colleagues get to know each other better to team-building activities that strengthen bonds. Whether you opt for traditional games with a festive twist or creative challenges that inspire laughter, these activities are designed to ensure everyone enjoys a fun-filled holiday celebration. Happy holidays, and may your office Christmas party be filled with joy and cheer!
