6 Ideas for Throwing for a Business Holiday Party

When throwing a business holiday party for employees, it’s important to think outside of the box. Holiday parties should be something employees look forward to instead of dread attending. When companies plan exciting holiday events, it’ll help boost employee morale and loyalty, and thankfully, there are a number of great ideas to spice up a standard holiday work party. Some even try to do pranks and make two people call each other. With this, they have no idea who called who and you can listen to their conversation as they figure out it was you who set them up.

December Around the World

Today’s office is awash in diversity so why not take advantage of an ethnic mix that gives employees a chance to show off unique culinary traditions? Decorations ideal for hosting this international get-together include cloth or paper flags representing various nations and coordinating plates, utensils, and tablecloths to showcase flag colors. Flying Dove balloons floating across the break room’s ceiling via fishing line tie together the spirit of world peace at a time of the year that is especially meaningful for everyone, whether they are celebrating Christmas, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Solstice.

Corporate Scavenger Hunt

We love the idea of hosting a scavenger hunt, especially if the decorating committee puts some thought into hiding places that won’t necessarily be discovered from the get-go. The challenge begins when staffers are given a list of items that are hidden throughout the office or make the task easy by purchasing quantities of recycled glass mini ornaments and turning everyone loose to find them. Use crepe paper in company colors to decorate the break room or area designated as the place to chow down once the hunt for ornaments ends.

Beach Party Bingo

Everyone wants to hit the beach when winter comes, so give employees what they want: a fun beach picnic where competitive Bingo calls for clever favors awarded to winners. Set the scene with picnic-style tablecloths and colorful carnival plates and utensils. Fill large plastic beach buckets with snacks (don’t forget scoops!) so nobody goes hungry, no matter how many rounds of Bingo staffers play.

A Christmas Murder Mystery

Start with a guide and follow the party plan to declare suspects (including the boss). No worries about coordinating colors since the room you choose for refreshments begs for black décor, from crepe paper to plates. Find plenty of decorative items in Halloween collections — black votive candles and spooky spider string lights — to set the mood.

Let It Snow

An indoor snowball fight? This idea is likely to get two thumbs up from employees who are wary of sitting at their computers and could use a stress-reduction activity. Turn a food staging area into a lodge-like setting where hot chocolate, snacks, and frosted desserts are set out on tables covered in white and once fueled, bring staff out to the large unfurnished area where they can throw white tissue honeycomb balls at each other,

Cook Something Up

Finding a talented chef who is willing to bring his or her gear in to prepare a festive meal while giving pointers to staffers is a fun way to share a communal meal that is guaranteed to generate nonstop laughs. Hold the “cooking class” in the obvious place: the office break room (unless there’s a more appropriate setup elsewhere). Prep the room by decorating it with paper lanterns and balloons, place tissue pom pom centerpieces on tables, and include mood-setting candles. A dinner gong isn’t necessary, but if you think it would add to the event’s fun, you can always rent one!