The Best Holiday Celebration Ideas For Work

Ah, Christmas time! The season of joy, festive lights, and—most importantly—the chance to sprinkle a little holiday cheer into the workplace. But how do you keep the festive spirit alive at work without it feeling forced or cliché? Easy: Christmas Spirit Week! It's the perfect opportunity to bond with coworkers, spread some holiday cheer, and maybe even engage in a little friendly competition. If you’re on the lookout for unique, fun, and memorable ideas, look no further. Here are the top 12 fun Christmas Spirit Week ideas for work that will turn your office (or virtual team) into a holiday wonderland.

1. Ugly Sweater Day: The More Ridiculous, The Better!

There’s nothing quite like a festive, oversized, and totally absurd ugly sweater to kick off the Christmas Spirit Week. This is one tradition that never gets old. Encourage everyone to show off their most creative (and often hilarious) ugly sweaters. Who says Christmas has to be serious? Let the laughs roll in as coworkers parade around in their DIY holiday designs.

Prize for the ugliest sweater

Group photo to share on social media (extra points for fun props!)

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to add some extra spice with an "ugliest sweater" competition. Throw in a voting system and award a prize for the most outlandish getup!

2. Festive Cookie Decorating Contest: Let the Creativity Flow!

Who doesn’t love holiday treats? Make the most of this by turning it into a fun and creative challenge. Host a cookie decorating contest where each employee gets a set of cookies, frosting, and a variety of sprinkles and toppings. You’ll be amazed by the artistic masterpieces your team can create!

Offer prizes for the most creative, funniest, and most colorful designs

Don't forget to sample a few along the way!

Pro Tip: If you're working remotely, host a virtual cookie-decorating session via Zoom. Everyone can decorate their own cookies at home and share the results.

3. Secret Santa Gift Exchange: A Classic with a Twist

The classic Secret Santa gift exchange is a staple of any Christmas Spirit Week. But why not put a fun twist on it this year? Set a theme for the gifts like “something that will make your coworker laugh,” or "the quirkiest holiday-themed item you can find." You can even limit the budget to add some creativity to the mix.

Set a budget cap (e.g., $15)

Keep the gift-giving anonymous for some extra mystery!

Pro Tip: To add some flair, host a reveal party where everyone guesses who their Secret Santa was. Get the holiday spirits flowing with some festive snacks and music.

4. Christmas Carol Karaoke: Hit the High Notes!

What better way to bring people together than with a good old-fashioned Christmas carol sing-along? Everyone has a favorite holiday song, so why not turn it into a karaoke session? You can either perform individually or team up for a duet (or even group numbers). If you’re virtual, you can still keep the fun alive via Zoom or another platform.

Best performance wins a prize

Have a mix of popular and funny songs to keep it light-hearted

Pro Tip: Set up a playlist ahead of time with all the holiday classics, so everyone is ready to jump in and sing their heart out.

5. Christmas Trivia Game: How Well Do You Know the Holidays?

Test your team's knowledge with a Christmas trivia game. Create a list of holiday-themed questions, including everything from classic Christmas movies to famous holiday traditions from around the world. Everyone loves a little friendly competition, and this one’s sure to get everyone in the festive mood!

Offer a prize for the trivia champion

Mix in fun facts that everyone can learn from!

Pro Tip: Use online trivia platforms to keep it interactive for remote teams, or go old-school with paper questions.

6. Christmas Themed Virtual Background Day: Let’s Get Digital!

For remote teams, virtual backgrounds are an absolute must during Christmas Spirit Week! Have a Christmas-themed background day where everyone sets their Zoom or video call background to something festive: think snowflakes, Christmas trees, Santa hats, or even a virtual fireplace.

Create a background contest to see who has the most creative or funny backdrop

Don’t forget to add some holiday music to the background!

Pro Tip: Use a mix of pre-made holiday backgrounds, or ask employees to create their own for a personal touch.

7. Holiday-Themed Office Scavenger Hunt: Find the Festive Treasures!

A holiday scavenger hunt is an easy yet fun way to get everyone involved. Hide festive items like mini stockings, candy canes, or ornaments around the office (or in your home office for remote workers) and create a list of clues. The first person to find all the items wins a prize!

Use riddles or clues that reference holiday movies or songs

This is a great team-building activity!

Pro Tip: For virtual offices, you can have people take photos of the items they find in their homes.

8. Deck the Halls Contest: Best Office Christmas Decoration Wins!

Turn your office (or home office) into a winter wonderland! Encourage your coworkers to decorate their workspace with Christmas-themed décor. Whether it's a mini tree, wreaths, or just an abundance of twinkle lights, the more creative, the better!

Offer a prize for the best-decorated desk or office area

Take a group photo to capture everyone's holiday spirit

Pro Tip: If you’re working from home, share before-and-after photos of your decorating process. You’d be surprised how fun it can be to transform your workspace into a festive wonderland!

9. Christmas Pajama Day: Sleep in Holiday Style

Who doesn’t love the idea of rolling out of bed and heading straight into work? Let your team live the dream with a Christmas pajama day. Encourage everyone to wear their coziest holiday PJs or onesies, and create a fun, relaxed atmosphere to share some Christmas cheer.

Best pajama set wins a prize

Make it a virtual event for added fun!

Pro Tip: Make this a laid-back day with a holiday playlist playing in the background while everyone works.

10. Holiday Photo Booth: Capture the Festive Moments!

Set up a photo booth in the office or create a virtual one where employees can take pictures with holiday-themed props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and snowflakes. It’s a fun way to get everyone involved and create lasting memories.

Have a fun “holiday photo contest” for the best shot

Use a hashtag so you can easily find and share all the photos

Pro Tip: If you're virtual, have everyone share their photos on a Slack channel for all to enjoy.

11. Christmas-Themed Potluck: Share the Holiday Feast!

Food is always the centerpiece of holiday gatherings, and it’s no different in the workplace. Host a Christmas-themed potluck where everyone brings a dish—whether it's a holiday favorite, a traditional dish, or something quirky (think: Christmas-themed cupcakes or gingerbread cookies).

Everyone gets a chance to share their favorite holiday dish

If remote, set up a virtual potluck where everyone shares what they’re cooking!

Pro Tip: If you're virtual, have a "recipe swap" where people share their holiday recipes for others to try.

12. Christmas Charity Drive: Give Back this Season

Christmas is all about giving, and what better way to spread the holiday spirit than by giving back to the community? Organize a charity drive where employees can donate items like clothing, food, or toys. It’s a meaningful way to share the joy and give back.

Set up a donation box in the office or organize a virtual fundraiser

Match donations to encourage participation!

Pro Tip: If you’re remote, consider using an online donation platform where everyone can pitch in.

FAQs

What are some easy and quick ideas for Christmas Spirit Week at work?

Some quick ideas include wearing Christmas-themed accessories, sharing holiday jokes, or hosting a virtual holiday background day. These activities can add some cheer without taking up much time.

Can I include my remote team in the fun?

Absolutely! Many of these activities can be adapted for remote work. Think virtual Secret Santa, online trivia games, or virtual holiday decorations. Christmas Spirit Week works just as well online!

How can I make my Christmas Spirit Week more inclusive?

Consider incorporating different cultural traditions or allowing employees to choose their own holiday activities. This way, everyone can feel involved, no matter their holiday traditions.

Conclusion

Now that you've got the top 12 fun Christmas Spirit Week ideas for work, it’s time to get the festivities started! Whether you’re in the office or working from home, these activities will add some serious holiday cheer to your workplace. Not only will they help create lasting memories, but they’ll also strengthen bonds and bring out the best in everyone. So, let’s make this Christmas season one to remember with a little fun, a lot of laughter, and a whole lot of holiday spirit!