Thanksgiving is all about coming together, showing gratitude, and celebrating what we’re thankful for. But in today’s work culture, many of us find ourselves working remotely, making traditional in-person celebrations a bit tricky. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of options to bring that festive Thanksgiving spirit into your virtual office. Whether you’re aiming for some laughs, a heartwarming moment, or a little friendly competition, there are loads of ways to connect your team through a virtual celebration.
In this article, we’re diving into the Best Virtual Thanksgiving Party Ideas for Work that’ll not only lift your team’s spirits but also build camaraderie. Let’s get started!
You can’t go wrong with a potluck, even when it’s virtual! Encourage your team to whip up their favorite holiday dishes at home and share the recipes during the meeting. Bonus points if someone tries to make their dish live on camera—talk about a live cooking show! You can even create a themed recipe book to share among the team afterward.
How to make it fun: To keep things exciting, vote on categories like "Best Presentation," "Most Unique Dish," or "Most Likely to Burn the Kitchen Down" (all in good fun, of course).
Take your Virtual Thanksgiving Game Night to the next level by using Internet Game as your platform. Internet Game offers an array of multiplayer games that are perfect for team-building and friendly competition. What makes this platform great is it's built-in voice chat, huge library of games, and tournament functionality!
Test your coworkers' Thanksgiving knowledge with a fun trivia game. Put together a mix of history, pop culture, and some quirky facts related to the holiday. Make it a team competition or individual, and let the winner walk away with a small prize or bragging rights for the rest of the year. Check out our ultimate list of Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers for inspiration!
Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks, right? Create a gratitude circle where each team member shares something they’re thankful for. It can be work-related, personal, or just something small that made their day better. It’s a simple yet powerful way to spread positivity across your team and strengthen your work relationships.
Pro tip: To keep things light and engaging, have everyone write their gratitude on a virtual whiteboard or use fun GIFs to represent their thoughts.
Who says you need to be in the same place to get moving? Organize a virtual Turkey Trot where everyone can participate from their own home. Set a distance or step goal, and encourage your team to complete it over the week leading up to Thanksgiving. You can use a fitness tracker or app to keep everyone accountable.
Why it works: It’s a great way to stay active, break up the day, and engage in some friendly competition. Plus, it's perfect for teams looking for a healthier way to celebrate.
Why not turn your Thanksgiving gathering into a virtual adventure? A virtual escape room brings an interactive, challenging, and teamwork-driven experience to your remote Thanksgiving celebration. There are plenty of Thanksgiving-themed escape rooms out there, and they’ll make your team feel like they’re breaking out of a turkey’s belly or solving puzzles to find the last slice of pie.
Let your team share something Thanksgiving-related during a virtual show-and-tell. This could be a sentimental family heirloom, a quirky decoration, or even their favorite recipe card passed down from generations. It’s a great way to learn more about each other’s traditions and cultures while bonding over the shared spirit of Thanksgiving.
Give your remote team a fun challenge with a Thanksgiving-themed virtual scavenger hunt! Send them on a quest to find everyday household items related to Thanksgiving (or get creative with quirky prompts). Give points for speed, creativity, and humor.
Scavenger hunt ideas:
Find something orange
Show off a food item you associate with Thanksgiving
Find an item that starts with the letter “T”
Encourage your team to get a little goofy by having a Thanksgiving-themed costume contest. They can dress up as pilgrims, turkeys, or their favorite Thanksgiving dish. You can vote on categories like "Best Overall Costume," "Funniest Costume," or "Most Creative."
Pro tip: Turn on virtual backgrounds to match the costume theme and really up the ante!
For teams who love a good challenge in the kitchen, why not host a virtual pie-baking contest? Participants can bake their pies at home, and then during your virtual party, they’ll showcase their creations. Everyone can vote on categories like "Best Presentation," "Most Unique Flavor," or "Looks Most Delicious." It’s a fun, sweet way to celebrate!
Nothing breaks the ice faster than a lively game of charades! Have your team act out Thanksgiving-themed words, phrases, or even famous holiday movies while everyone else tries to guess. It’s a perfect way to inject some laughs into your virtual gathering.
Charades ideas:
Turkey
Pumpkin pie
Pilgrim
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
In today’s remote work world, staying connected with your team can be tough. Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving party gives everyone a break from the everyday grind, offering time to relax, bond, and celebrate together. It’s a great way to show appreciation for your team’s hard work and dedication. Plus, it helps build camaraderie and maintain strong relationships, even from afar. These Best Virtual Thanksgiving Party Ideas for Work are just what you need to make the season special for everyone involved.
It happens! Offer multiple time slots or record parts of the event so those who miss out can still feel involved.
Mix in a variety of activities, like trivia, games, or even surprise giveaways, to keep everyone engaged. Use music or fun virtual backgrounds to add a festive touch.
You can wrap up the event by having each person share a final word of gratitude or a funny Thanksgiving memory. It leaves everyone on a high note and strengthens the team connection.
Ideally, aim for 60-90 minutes. It’s long enough to enjoy without losing momentum.
Thanksgiving may look a little different this year with remote work, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of the holiday can’t shine through. From virtual potlucks to scavenger hunts and everything in between, these Best Virtual Thanksgiving Party Ideas for Work will ensure your team celebrates in style. Not only will they enjoy a bit of fun, but they’ll also appreciate the effort to keep everyone connected. So, go ahead and make your virtual Thanksgiving party one to remember!