25 Best Holiday Work Games to Boost Team Spirit

Need ideas for holiday work games to boost team morale? Here are 25 exciting activities designed to bring your team together and celebrate the season.

Key Takeaways

• Engaging holiday activities like trivia challenges and scavenger hunts enhance team bonding and workplace culture.
• Creative events such as gingerbread house contests and ornament decorating foster teamwork and boost morale.
• Virtual activities, including Secret Santa and potluck parties, effectively connect remote team members and promote holiday spirit.

Festive Icebreakers

Start the holiday season with festive icebreakers for large groups to create a joyful atmosphere. Activities like ‘Two Truths and a Lie: Holiday Edition’ encourage sharing fun facts, fostering community and enhancing workplace culture. This engaging game helps team members get to know each other better in a casual setting.

A holiday scavenger hunt, where teams search for holiday-related items or complete festive tasks, is another engaging icebreaker. An effective team building problem solving exercise, this activity promotes teamwork critical thinking while adding excitement and friendly competition. Imagine the sight of racing colleagues trying to find hidden candy canes or capturing quirky photos with festive holiday decorations..

Festive events can significantly boost team morale. Creative holiday activities encourage collaboration and problem-solving, making for a fun-filled experience. Begin your holiday team building activity journey with these fun icebreakers to build camaraderie and spread cheer.

Holiday Trivia Challenge

Challenge your team’s knowledge and promote bonding with a Holiday Trivia Challenge. This activity enhances team togetherness and fosters a positive company culture during the holiday season. Trivia games span holiday traditions, pop culture, and historical facts, making it both engaging and educational.

Form smaller groups with creative team names and let the games begin. Questions can cover topics like Christmas Eve, holiday origins, or figures like Santa Claus, keeping everyone engaged and fostering a festive spirit. The most correct answers win, adding a competitive edge to the fun.

Holiday trivia challenges are popular at holiday parties, often engaging employees more than traditional games for team building and activities. Add this exciting challenge with a holiday twist to your holiday repertoire and watch your team bond over shared knowledge and cheer, including holiday themed games.

Virtual Secret Santa

Share the joy of giving with your remote team through a Virtual Secret Santa. This activity fosters connection and holiday spirit among remote members. Have employees opt-in and use online tools to match Secret Santa names for a smooth and efficient process.

Set a budget, typically between $20 and $30, to ensure fairness and encourage participants to create wish lists for gift selection. Gifts are mailed directly to recipients, with the option to keep the organizer’s identity anonymous. Enhance the experience with small tokens like candy canes or hand sanitizers.

Gather for a video conference to unwrap gifts together, adding a personal touch and making the season feel more connected. Whether you’re organizing or participating, a Virtual Secret Santa spreads holiday cheer and serves as one of the best activities that brings remote teams closer.

Ugly Sweater Contest

Prepare for laughter with an Ugly Sweater Contest! Here, attendees wear the tackiest holiday-themed sweaters they can find. This activity promotes team bonding and adds a festive, humorous touch to the celebration.

Add a theme to your ugly sweater party, like a 1970s vibe or a cozy hygge atmosphere, for extra fun. Capture hilarious fashion statements with plenty of pictures and award humorous trophies to the winners, enhancing the lighthearted event.

It’s a simple yet effective way to boost holiday cheer and create lasting memories.

Gingerbread House-Building Contest

Unleash creativity with a Gingerbread House-Building Contest. This activity encourages teamwork and allows teams to design and construct festive gingerbread houses. Provide materials like gingerbread pieces, icing, and candies for decoration.

Introduce themes like a gingerbread village or toy factory to make it more exciting. Judging criteria can include ‘Best Use of Tinsel’ or ‘Most Creative Theme,’ and houses must withstand a simulated ‘earthquake’ test. This friendly competition is one of the many games that boosts morale and collaboration, sparks creativity, and elevates team spirit.

Whether in-person or virtual, a Gingerbread House-Building Contest is a fun way to celebrate the holiday season and bring out the best in your team’s collaborative efforts.

Holiday Pictionary Tournament

Bring artistic flair to your holiday celebrations with a Holiday Pictionary Tournament. This game promotes communication and teamwork while adding a fun, festive vibe. Teams draw and guess holiday-themed words or phrases, enhancing collaboration and fostering a festive atmosphere.

The lively game contributes to team bonding and adds enjoyment to holiday celebrations. Grab markers and draw your way to holiday cheer with this engaging activity.

Ornament Decorating Contest

Encourage creativity with an Ornament Decorating Contest. This activity showcases holiday spirit among employees. Provide clear plastic ornaments and crafting materials like sequins, clay, paper, and glue for decoration.

Display the completed ornaments in the office or share them virtually, showcasing unique talents and celebrating team spirit. It’s a festive and fun way to engage your team and add holiday sparkle to your workspace.

Virtual Caroling Session

Bond with your remote team through a Virtual Caroling Session. Singing holiday songs together over video calls spreads joy and strengthens team bonds, making it a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays.

Participants can sing their favorite holiday tunes together, or add an upbeat twist with Carol Karaoke for extra fun. This activity will fill your virtual holiday party with music and laughter, creating a memorable experience for all.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Engage your team with a high-energy Holiday Scavenger Hunt. This activity promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and festive engagement. Participants retrieve holiday-related items and complete fun tasks, strengthening bonds and building camaraderie.

Include holiday-related challenges, quirky photos, humorous videos, and objects like Santa hats and candy canes in the scavenger hunt. Structure it as a team competition or an individual event, depending on desired engagement. Tailor scavenger hunts for virtual, hybrid, or in-person environments.

Participants can engage in challenges like finding items, completing tasks, or taking photographs as part of the hunt. Different formats, such as photo hunts, where participants create or find images corresponding to listed items, add variety and excitement. This activity brings holiday cheer and boosts team spirit.

Holiday Movie Marathon

Relax and unwind with a Holiday Movie Marathon. This activity allows team members to connect over shared cinematic experiences. A variety of festive films cater to diverse tastes and enhance engagement.

Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite snacks, allowing them to share thoughts on movies and enhancing event interactivity. Suggesting pajama dress codes, fuzzy blankets, and Christmas-themed snacks can enhance the festive atmosphere.

It’s an easy and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday season and promote relaxation among your team.

DIY Holiday Card Station

Set up a DIY Holiday Card Station for team members to express employee appreciation and warm wishes through personal notes. This activity strengthens interpersonal connections and fosters a sense of community.

Providing materials like paper, markers, and stickers encourages creativity and engagement in a fun, collaborative activity. This promotes creativity, enhances team morale, and builds stronger relationships within your team.

Christmas Cookie Swap

Sweeten your holiday celebrations with a Christmas Cookie Swap. This activity encourages sharing baking skills and exchanging a variety of cookies. Participants bond by discussing their favorite recipes and baking techniques.

Whether organized in the office or allowing for remote participation, this event is accessible to all team members. Enjoy cookies and camaraderie as team members compliment each other’s baking and share recipes, bringing holiday spirit to your team.

Holiday Desk-Decorating Contest

Transform your office into a winter wonderland with a Holiday Desk-Decorating Contest. This activity engages the whole team and creates a festive atmosphere. Teams can decorate different areas of the office or their desks, allowing for personal expression.

A friendly competition for the best decoration encourages creativity and fun among team members. Setting a budget for decorations helps teams strategize their spending, while incorporating elements from popular holiday films can enhance their displays.

It’s a fun way to foster team spirit and bring a touch of holiday magic to the workplace.

Virtual Gift-Wrapping Workshop

Enhance gift-wrapping skills and promote team bonding with a Virtual Gift-Wrapping Workshop. In a relaxed and enjoyable setting, participants learn new wrapping techniques while engaging with colleagues. Professional guidance can lead to improved skills and creativity.

The interactive nature of the workshop fosters camaraderie and strengthens collaborative teams. Casual conversations during the session facilitate connections, making the activity both fun and beneficial for team-building.

Whether you’re a wrapping novice or a seasoned pro, this workshop is a great addition to your holiday team-building activities.

Holiday Talent Show

Showcase your team’s diverse talents with a Holiday Talent Show. This activity builds team spirit and celebrates unique skills. Participants perform acts like singing, dancing, or comedy, making it a fun and entertaining event.

Including small rewards for standout performances encourages friendly competition. Conduct the talent show virtually or in person, making it accessible for all team members. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season and highlight team talents.

Virtual Holiday Happy Hour

Bring your team together for a Virtual Holiday Happy Hour to promote connection and camaraderie in a relaxed setting. This activity allows remote employees to join the festive spirit and engage in meaningful conversations. Themed virtual happy hours add a special touch, encouraging creative participation.

Virtual holiday happy hours ideas include games, trivia, bingo, and drink mixing. Incorporating games ensures everyone participates and feels included. Playful invitations enhance excitement and engagement for the events.

Virtual happy hours foster informal interactions that strengthen relationships and morale. It’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday season and bring your team closer, no matter where they are.

Holiday Murder Mystery Game

Add a thrilling twist to your holiday celebrations with a Holiday Murder Mystery Game. This activity offers a unique and engaging way for teams to bond and enhance collaboration. Teams can be organized to race against the clock in solving a holiday-themed mystery, adding a competitive element to the game.

Participating in a holiday murder mystery game promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving among employees. The scenarios are designed to enhance the festive atmosphere while engaging participants in thematic storytelling, such as with references to The Nightmare Before Christmas.

It’s an engaging and enjoyable way to infuse holiday cheer into your team.

Holiday Playlist Collaboration

Create a shared Holiday Playlist to foster bonding through music. This activity allows team members to express their musical preferences and bond over festive songs. Using platforms like Spotify for playlist collaboration enhances participation, making the activity more interactive.

The completed playlist can serve as a backdrop for holiday gatherings, contributing to a celebratory atmosphere. It’s a simple yet effective way to bring holiday cheer and connect with your team through the power of music.

Seasonal "Minute to Win It" Challenges

Inject some excitement into your holiday celebrations with Seasonal “Minute to Win It” Challenges. These fast-paced, fun challenges are among the most effective strategies to boost employee engagement and promote friendly competition among team members. Speed decorating challenges, for example, set a time limit for teams to complete their displays, adding an element of excitement.

Participants can earn points by completing quick holiday-themed tasks like stacking cups to create a snowman or tossing cotton balls into a container. Other challenges include balancing ornaments on a yardstick, moving a cookie from forehead to mouth using only facial movements, and stacking plastic cups into a pyramid.

These challenges can be performed in-person or virtually, allowing teams to engage from their own spaces and share results via video. It’s a fun way to bring holiday cheer and boost team spirit through quick and engaging activities.

Team-Building Board Games Party

Relax and unwind with a Team-Building Board Games Party. This activity helps teams relax while fostering friendly competition. Participating in board games fosters friendly competition, enhancing camaraderie within the team.

Including strategy-based games encourages collaboration and improves teamwork among participants. This activity can be tailored to fit a holiday theme or include classic favorites, enhancing the festive experience. It’s a versatile activity that can be adapted for both in-person and virtual settings.

Virtual Potluck Party

Share your favorite holiday recipes and traditions with a Virtual Potluck Party, a unique activity that promotes cultural diversity and inclusion. This gathering allows employees to present their dish and share personal traditions, fostering a strong sense of community. Participants can discuss the cultural significance of their dishes, enhancing understanding among team members.

Encouraging team members to create their dishes together online can also enhance collaboration and interaction. Hosting a virtual potluck can serve as a casual setting for brainstorming ideas and discussing projects. It’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday season and bring your team closer together through food and shared experiences.

Holiday Charity Drive

Foster a spirit of giving and team unity with a Holiday Charity Drive. This activity is designed to channel the holiday spirit and foster team unity. Leaders can organize a day or half day of volunteering offsite as part of the charity drive, engaging teams in activities like food and clothing drives or local shelter support.

Participating in charity drives can positively impact employee retention rates and foster goodwill. Volunteering fosters a culture of kindness and collaboration within teams, leading to improved morale.

Charity drives can also enhance a company’s reputation by showcasing its commitment to social responsibility. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday season and make a positive impact in the community.

New Year's Resolutions Reflection

Encourage reflection and goal-setting for the new year with a New Year’s Resolutions Reflection. This activity focuses on discussing past successes and challenges while setting goals for the future. The ‘Guess the New Year’s Resolution’ game promotes team bonding by having members guess each other’s goals for the upcoming year.

Creating a time capsule as a team activity encourages collaboration and reflection on shared experiences from the previous year. It’s a thoughtful way to wrap up the holiday season and start the new year with a sense of purpose and direction.

Hot Cocoa Breaks

Warm up your holiday breaks with Hot Cocoa Breaks. Setting up a hot cocoa station can replace coffee during holiday breaks, offering a festive alternative. Offering a variety of mix-ins like whipped cream and peppermint can make the experience more enjoyable.

The hot cocoa break encourages employees to engage in meaningful conversations, enhancing interpersonal relationships. One-on-one hot cocoa breaks are designed to foster connections and help team members learn more about each other. It’s a cozy and festive way to bring your team together.

Holiday Origami Class

Promote relaxation and creativity with a Holiday Origami Class. This activity allows team members to create festive figures together, promoting relaxation and teamwork. Participants can create holiday-themed figures such as reindeer, Christmas trees, and other items like stars, snowflakes, and Santa.

For the holiday origami class, materials required include thicker-stock paper in festive colors. The class can be customized to fit various holidays beyond just Christmas, allowing for broader participation.

It’s a fun and creative way to celebrate the holiday season and bring out the artistic talents in your team.

Summary

As we wrap up our list of the 25 best holiday work games, it’s clear that holiday team-building activities are more than just fun and games. They play a crucial role in boosting team spirit, enhancing communication, and fostering a sense of community within the workplace. From festive icebreakers to virtual holiday happy hours, each activity offers unique benefits that contribute to a positive and engaging work environment.

The holiday season is an ideal time to bring your team together, whether through in-person events or virtual retreats and gatherings. These activities not only spread holiday cheer but also create lasting memories and strengthen team bonds. By incorporating a variety of holiday-themed games and challenges, you can ensure that everyone feels included and engaged, making the holiday season truly special for your team.

Companies like Offsite offer resources and planning support to help organizations design and execute successful offsite retreats and team-building events. Their curated guidance and insights can be a valuable asset in creating memorable experiences that complement your holiday activities and reinforce a collaborative work culture.

So go ahead and plan your holiday team-building activities with confidence. Whether it’s decorating gingerbread houses, solving a holiday murder mystery, or simply enjoying a hot cocoa break, these activities will bring joy, laughter, and a sense of togetherness to your workplace. Happy holidays!