20+ Office Christmas Party Games: Unwrap the Fun and Festive Spirit

Office Christmas Party Games

Make your office Christmas party unforgettable with a lineup of games that spark laughter, encourage teamwork, and spread holiday cheer. Whether you’re looking for classic Office Christmas party games with a twist or something entirely new, these festive activities are sure to delight everyone at the party.

12 Days of Christmas Activities for Work – The holiday season is the perfect time to bring colleagues together in a fun and festive environment. Organizing engaging and interactive Office Christmas party games not only elevates the party atmosphere but also strengthens team bonds. From creative charades to lively snowball fights, here’s a comprehensive guide to ensuring your office Christmas party is a hit.

20+ Office Christmas Party Games for employees team spirit

1. Christmas Carol Charades

Game Overview: A festive twist on the classic charades game, where players act out popular Christmas carols for their team to guess.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Write down the names of well-known Christmas carols on slips of paper and place them in a hat or bowl.
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams. Each team will take turns drawing a slip of paper.
3. Acting: The player who draws the slip must act out the title of the Christmas carol without speaking or making sounds, using only gestures.
4. Guessing: The team has a set amount of time (e.g., 1 minute) to correctly guess the carol. Points are awarded for correct guesses.
5. Winning: The team with the most points at the end wins a festive prize.

Additional Ideas:

• Christmas Props: Provide holiday-themed props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or bells to make the game even more fun and challenging.
• Timer Variation: Use a faster timer or reduce the time limit as the game progresses to increase the difficulty and excitement.

2. Snowball Toss (Indoor Snowball Fight)

Game Overview: A lively and safe indoor “snowball” fight using soft, plush snowballs.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Setup: Create a “snowball arena” in an open office space by setting up boundaries with tape or ropes.
2. Teams: Divide participants into two teams and give each player an equal number of soft, plush snowballs.
3. Rules: Players must stay within their designated areas and throw snowballs at members of the opposing team.
4. Scoring: Each time a player is hit by a snowball, they are “out” and must step out of the playing area. The game continues until one team has no players left or a set time limit is reached.
5. Winning: The team with the most players remaining at the end wins a holiday-themed prize.

Additional Game Ideas:

• Obstacle Course: Add obstacles like chairs or desks for players to hide behind, adding a strategic element to the game.
• Team Costumes: Encourage teams to dress in matching holiday colors or accessories, like Santa hats or elf costumes, to enhance team spirit.

3. Christmas Movie Trivia

Game Overview: Test everyone’s knowledge of holiday classics with a Christmas movie trivia quiz.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Create a list of trivia questions covering famous lines, characters, plot points, and more from popular Christmas movies.
2. Setup: Arrange the participants in teams or allow them to play individually.
3. Questions: Start asking questions, ranging from easy to challenging. You can ask each team in turns or use a buzzer system for a more competitive edge.
4. Scoring: Award points for each correct answer. Consider giving bonus points for particularly difficult questions or answers that include extra details.
5. Winning: The team or player with the most points at the end wins movie-themed prizes, such as popcorn, DVDs, or posters.

Additional Ideas:

• Themed Prizes: Offer prizes like movie tickets or a “movie night” basket to add excitement.
• Visual Round: Include a round where participants guess the movie from a screenshot or clip.

4. Gift Wrapping Relay Race

Game Overview: A fast-paced race to wrap oddly shaped items.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Gather a variety of objects with unusual shapes (e.g., stuffed animals, small appliances) and set up wrapping stations with paper, tape, and scissors.
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams, with each team having a designated wrapping station.
3. Race: On “Go!”, each team must wrap their items as quickly and neatly as possible. You can include multiple items per team or have each participant wrap one item before tagging the next teammate.
4. Scoring: Points are awarded based on both speed and the quality of the wrapping job.
5. Winning: The team with the highest score for speed and presentation wins.

Additional Ideas:

• Bow-Tying Challenge: Add a bonus round where participants must tie a bow or curl ribbons for extra points.
• Holiday Themes: Use themed wrapping paper like snowflakes or candy canes to add a festive touch.

5. Ugly Sweater Fashion Show

Game Overview: A fun runway show featuring the most outrageous ugly Christmas sweaters.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Announce the contest in advance so participants can prepare their sweaters.
2. Setup: Set up a makeshift runway and arrange seating for the audience and judges.
3. Runway Walk: Participants take turns walking the runway, showing off their sweaters. They can add flair by striking poses or doing a little dance.
4. Judging: A panel of judges scores the sweaters based on creativity, originality, and holiday spirit. Alternatively, allow audience voting for a more inclusive experience.
5. Winning: Prizes are awarded in various categories like “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” and “Most Festive.”

Additional Ideas:

• Costume Accessories: Encourage participants to complement their sweaters with accessories like reindeer antlers or Christmas lights.
• Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth for participants to take pictures in their sweaters.

6. Christmas Office Scavenger Hunt

Game Overview: A holiday-themed scavenger hunt around the office.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Create a list of holiday-themed items or clues related to Christmas movies, songs, or traditions, and hide them around the office.
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams and provide each team with the list of items to find.
3. Hunt: Teams race to find all the items on the list, following clues that lead them to different locations in the office.
4. Scoring: Points are awarded based on the number of items found and the time taken to complete the hunt.
5. Winning: The team that finds all the items first or scores the most points wins a festive prize.

Additional Ideas:

• Holiday Clues: Make the clues more challenging by incorporating holiday riddles or references to obscure Christmas traditions.
• Photo Evidence: Require teams to take a picture with each found item to add a fun, tech-savvy twist.

7. Holiday Pictionary

Game Overview: A Christmas-themed version of Pictionary.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Prepare a list of Christmas-related words or phrases for participants to draw.
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams and provide each team with a whiteboard or large paper and markers.
3. Drawing: Each team takes turns sending one player to draw a word or phrase while their teammates guess within a time limit (e.g., 60 seconds).
4. Scoring: Points are awarded for each correct guess. Harder words or phrases can be worth more points.
5. Winning: The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Additional Ideas:

• Difficulty Levels: Have easy, medium, and hard categories, allowing teams to choose their difficulty level for varying points.
• Lightning Round: Add a quick-fire round where teams must draw and guess multiple items in rapid succession.

8. Christmas Ornament Crafting Contest

Game Overview: A creative contest where teams craft their own Christmas ornaments.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Provide a variety of crafting materials, such as clear ornaments, paint, glitter, ribbons, and other decorative items.
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams or allow them to compete individually.
3. Crafting: Set a time limit for teams to design and create their ornaments. Encourage creativity by allowing participants to use unconventional materials.
4. Judging: Judges score the ornaments based on creativity, craftsmanship, and holiday spirit.
5. Winning: Prizes are awarded for categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Beautiful,” and “Most Humorous.”

Additional Ideas:

• Themed Ornaments: Set a specific theme, such as “Nature-Inspired” or “Recycled Materials,” to challenge participants’ creativity.
• Display: Hang the completed ornaments on the office Christmas tree for everyone to admire.

9. Name That Christmas Tune

Game Overview: A musical guessing game where participants identify Christmas songs from short clips.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Compile a playlist of short clips from popular Christmas songs, ensuring a mix of easy and challenging tunes.
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams and give them buzzers or a way to signal when they know the answer.
3. Play: Play the first few seconds of a song clip. The first team to buzz in gets a chance to guess the title of the song.
4. Scoring: Points are awarded for correct guesses, with more points for faster answers or less well-known songs.
5. Winning: The team with the most points at the end wins.

Additional Ideas:

• Bonus Round: Include less popular or instrumental versions of songs to make the game more challenging.
• Sing-Along: After correctly guessing a song, have the team sing the chorus for extra points or just for fun.

10. Christmas Bingo

Game Overview: A festive version of Bingo with Christmas-themed cards.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Create Bingo cards with Christmas-themed words, phrases, or images instead of numbers. You can customize the cards with references specific to your office.
2. Setup: Distribute the Bingo cards to participants along with markers or pens.
3. Game Play: Call out the words or phrases one by one. Participants mark off the corresponding squares on their cards.
4. Winning: The first participant to complete a line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) shouts “Bingo!” and wins a prize.
5. Prizes: Offer small, festive prizes like candy canes, ornaments, or holiday gift cards to winners.

Additional Ideas:

• Customized Cards: Personalize the Bingo cards with office-specific holiday references for a more relevant and engaging game.
• Multiple Rounds: Play several rounds with different patterns required for a win, such as a full card or specific shapes.

11. Christmas Karaoke

Game Overview: A festive karaoke session with employees singing their favorite Christmas songs.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Set up a karaoke machine with a selection of popular Christmas songs. You can also use a laptop and speakers if a karaoke machine is not available.
2. Signup: Encourage employees to sign up for solo, duet, or group performances. Make a list of performers and the songs they want to sing.
3. Performance: Let the performances begin! Participants take turns singing their chosen songs, with the option to use props or costumes.
4. Judging: You can have a panel of judges or let the audience vote on categories like “Best Performance,” “Funniest Attempt,” and “Best Group Sing-Along.”
5. Winning: Award prizes for the top performances in each category.

Additional Ideas:

• Costume Karaoke: Encourage participants to dress up as their favorite Christmas characters while performing, adding to the festive atmosphere.
• Duets and Group Songs: Include special rounds for duets or group performances to promote collaboration and team spirit.

12. Reindeer Office Christmas party games Relay

Game Overview: A relay race with holiday-themed challenges that test participants’ agility and creativity.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation: Set up a relay course in an open office space, including stations for different holiday-themed challenges (e.g., carrying gifts, balancing items).
2. Teams: Divide participants into teams. Each team member will take on a different challenge in the relay.
3. Relay: On “Go!”, the first participant from each team begins the race, completing their challenge before tagging the next teammate.
4. Challenges: Include tasks like “Gift Balancing,” where participants must carry a stack of gifts without dropping them, or “Santa’s Sack Race,” where they hop in a sack like Santa delivering presents.
5. Winning: The first team to complete all the challenges wins.

Additional Ideas:

• Obstacle Course: Add an obstacle course element with festive props like candy cane hurdles or snowball throws.
• Festive Costumes: Encourage participants to wear reindeer antlers or Santa hats during the race for extra holiday spirit.

Additional Office Christmas Party Games

1. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest: Provide undecorated cookies and a variety of decorating supplies. Judges award prizes for the most creative designs.
2. Pin the Nose on Rudolph: A festive twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Blindfolded participants try to pin a red nose on a large poster of Rudolph.
3. Christmas Tree Balloon Pop: Fill balloons with confetti and small prizes, and arrange them in the shape of a Christmas tree. Players take turns popping balloons to reveal their prizes.
4. Secret Santa Gift Exchange: Each participant draws a name and buys a gift for that person, keeping their identity a secret until the exchange.
5. Gingerbread House Building Competition: Provide teams with gingerbread house kits and challenge them to create the most impressive structure.

Few More Workplace Christmas Party Game Ideas for team building

1. Christmas Trivia Challenge
2. Jingle Bell Ring Toss
3. Elf on the Shelf Hunt
4. Christmas Charades
5. Santa Hat Hot Potato
6. Holiday Guess Who
7. Reindeer Ring Toss
8. Christmas Stocking Relay
9. Snowman Building Contest (Indoor)
10. Festive Photo Booth Challenge

Dos and Don’ts of Office Christmas Party Games

Creating an enjoyable and inclusive environment for everyone is key to a successful office Christmas party. Follow these dos and don’ts to ensure your party games are a hit.

Dos:

1. Do Consider Inclusivity:
   • Ensure Office Christmas party games are appropriate for all participants, taking into account various cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities.
   • Choose games that encourage teamwork and participation from everyone.
2. Do Keep the Atmosphere Light and Fun:
   • Remember that the goal is to have fun. Keep the mood festive and light-hearted.
   • Use humor and creativity in your Office Christmas party games to maintain a joyful environment.
3. Do Provide Clear Instructions:
   • Explain the rules of each game clearly before starting to avoid confusion and ensure everyone knows how to participate.
   • Demonstrate any actions or tasks that might be unclear to some participants.
4. Do Offer Prizes:
   • Small, fun, and festive prizes can add motivation and excitement to the Office Christmas party games. Consider gift cards, holiday treats, or themed trophies.
   • Make sure prizes are distributed fairly and align with the spirit of the event.
5. Do Encourage Participation:
   • Encourage everyone to join in the Office Christmas party games, but also respect those who prefer to watch. Create a balance that includes optional participation.
   • Consider having a mix of team and individual games to cater to different preferences.
6. Do Plan Ahead:
   • Prepare materials, props, and space in advance to ensure a smooth flow during the event.
   • Consider the timing of the games, making sure they fit within the party’s schedule without feeling rushed.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t Force Participation:
   • Avoid pressuring employees to participate in Office Christmas party games if they are uncomfortable. Participation should be voluntary to maintain a positive atmosphere.
   • Don’t single out individuals who are hesitant to join; respect their choice.
2. Don’t Make Games Too Competitive:
   • While a bit of competition can be fun, avoid games that are overly competitive or might lead to hurt feelings or conflicts.
   • Focus on Office Christmas party games that promote camaraderie and holiday cheer rather than intense rivalry.
3. Don’t Exclude Anyone:
   • Ensure that all games are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities or different comfort levels with physical activities.
   • Avoid inside jokes or references that only certain groups within the office might understand, as this can make others feel left out.
4. Don’t Let Office Christmas party games Drag On:
   • Keep the games short and sweet to maintain energy and interest. Long or overly complicated games can cause participants to lose enthusiasm.
   • Be mindful of the overall flow of the party, and avoid overloading the schedule with too many Office Christmas party games.
5. Don’t Overlook Safety:
   • Ensure that all activities are safe for participants, especially if they involve physical movement or props.
   • Avoid games that could lead to accidents, injuries, or discomfort, especially in a professional setting.
6. Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
   • As the organizer, set the tone by showing enthusiasm and participating in the Office Christmas party games yourself. Your positive attitude will encourage others to enjoy the activities.
   • Remember that the ultimate goal is to celebrate the holiday season and foster a sense of community within the office.

Conclusion

Office Christmas party games are sure to bring joy, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie to your office Christmas party. Whether you’re testing your colleagues’ knowledge of holiday movies or competing in a snowball fight, these activities are designed to create lasting memories and strengthen team bonds.

Start planning your office Christmas party now, and implement Office Christmas party games to ensure a festive and fun-filled celebration. Share the joy with your colleagues and make this holiday season one to remember!