By: Marlene Cosain
Holiday parties are a fabulous way to have a bonding experience with your team. There is no need to break the bank or bust your brain thinking of creative ideas. Holiday parties, especially at the end of the year, serve as a way to thank everyone for their efforts all year long. Bringing eggnog to the table and turning on your favorite carol is festive, but it does not demonstrate your level of appreciation to their year round dedication. Turn on your favorite holiday jingle, and here are a few ideas on how to enrich thoughtful teamwork and friendships through festive party activities.
Gift Exchanges
In our office we have established a tradition for each December, which is Secret Santa. To prepare for this, have everyone write Santa a wish list with a price limit of your choice. To play, randomly assign a person to whom they will anonymously give a present to. Secret Santa is great because everyone receives a present at a low cost.
White Elephant is also a popular way to do a gift exchange. To participate, each person must bring one present and place it on a central location. Each staff member takes a turn in randomly picking a present from the middle and then proceeds to unwrap it. Whoever’s turn is next gets to either keep the gift they unwrapped or steal someone else’s gift. The game ends when everyone has a gift.
Contests
Decorating Contest: You are at your holiday party and you need a few ways to break the ice, a competition is always a great way to get the interaction going, Utilizing green butcher paper, ornaments and markers have each team decorate a designated person of their team as a Christmas tree. The winning team gets bragging rights, or you can also provide small gifts. This same contest can be used as a Snowman Wrapping Contest as well. Using toilet paper, decorate a designated person as your favorite snowman.
Ugly Sweater Contest: Everyone owns that one hideous holiday sweater. Encourage creativity and competition among your team. Give a silly prize to whoever wore the ugliest/most creative sweater.
Guessing Games
Guess the Amount of Ornaments: If your office is sporting holiday sprit, then you more than likely have a Christmas tree up. As your team is gathered, have each one guess how many ornaments are on the tree. The closest guess will win.
Name that tune: Divided into groups, depending on the size of your company, make a list of lyrics from classic holiday jingles. Note only a few key lyrics for each song, excluding the title. Whichever team can guess the song title first within a minute wins the “Name that Carol” round.
Photo Booths
One of the most popular items in company Christmas parties are photo booths. Your employees will enjoy taking pictures with coworkers and silly props. Some photo booths allow you to include your company name on it and the event date. Photo strips are always great memories.
Whatever activity you may chose for your office’s holiday party, remember that the holidays are about gratitude. Connect with your team in this wonderful time of the year.
