Sleigh the Holidays: Tips for Throwing an Epic Team Event

The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to show your team some appreciation than by throwing a holiday gathering they won’t forget? Whether you’re going for cozy and casual or fancy and festive, here are some tips and creative ideas to help you plan a holiday event that brings everyone together—and keeps things professional (and fun)!

1. Timeless Traditions with a Modern Touch

Whether your team loves a classic office party or craves something new, there’s a way to make everyone happy! Here’s a blend of traditional and creative ideas to inspire your holiday event:

Classic Cocktail Party: Keep it traditional with a formal cocktail party at a local venue. Dress up the event with festive decorations, holiday tunes, and signature holiday drinks. You can even add a photo booth to capture fun memories!
Holiday Potluck: Let your team show off their culinary skills with a potluck. Everyone brings a dish that represents their holiday traditions, giving the event a personal and inclusive touch. You can even host this virtually, with team members sharing recipes and photos of their dishes.
Charity Drive and Party Combo: Combine your celebration with giving back. Host a toy or food drive during the event and set up stations where employees can assemble care packages for those in need. Add festive music, food, and a heartfelt “thank you” toast to make the experience both fun and meaningful.
Winter Carnival: Transform your venue into a winter wonderland with holiday-themed games like a snowball toss, ornament decorating, or a gingerbread house-building contest. This idea also works virtually with at-home kits delivered to remote employees.
Themed Movie Night: Rent out a small theater or set up a big screen in the office for a holiday movie night. Whether it’s Home Alone or Elf, popcorn, candy canes, and cozy blankets will make this a crowd-pleaser.
Virtual Secret Santa: If your team is remote or hybrid, take the traditional Secret Santa online. Set a price limit, use an online gift exchange platform, and have team members open their gifts during a virtual party—complete with festive backgrounds and holiday tunes.
Team Volunteer Day: Want to focus on giving back? Organize a team volunteer day where everyone helps a local charity or nonprofit. Follow it up with a celebratory dinner or virtual happy hour to reflect on the day’s impact.
The Great Holiday Bake-Off: Let your team show off their baking skills with a holiday-themed bake-off. Set up a table for everyone to bring their best cookies, pies, or other treats, and have judges crown the winner. For a remote twist, participants can send in their recipes or share photos of their creations.
Ugly Sweater Contest: This holiday staple never goes out of style! Encourage employees to wear their most outrageous holiday sweaters, and offer prizes for categories like “Most Festive” or “Funniest Sweater.”
Holiday Karaoke: Set up a karaoke stage and let your team belt out their favorite holiday tunes. Whether it’s Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas or a classic carol, everyone will be laughing and singing along in no time.

2. Break the Mold: Unconventional Holiday Fun

Sure, cocktails and mingling are fun, but why not spice things up this year? Consider these unique experiences:

Holiday Cooking Class: Everyone loves food, so bring the team together for a cooking class with a holiday twist. A virtual version for remote teams can be equally fun.
Outdoor Winter Wonderland: Host a cozy outdoor gathering complete with fire pits, hot cocoa, and s’mores. Bonus points for adding a friendly snowball fight or ice-skating!
DIY Craft Stations: Set up stations where team members can make their own ornaments, wreaths, or holiday cards. It’s a fun and creative way to bond.
Escape Room Challenge: Book a holiday-themed escape room or create your own in the office. This encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and a bit of friendly competition.
Secret Santa with a Twist: Instead of traditional gifts, ask team members to donate to a charity in a colleague’s name or exchange quirky, themed gifts that keep the fun going.

3. Keep It Inclusive

Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, so be sure your event is inclusive. Focus on themes like gratitude, team appreciation, and end-of-year reflection rather than holiday-specific traditions.

4. Mind the Mistletoe: Keep It Professional

Holiday parties are meant to be fun, but a work-related gathering is still a professional setting. A few things to keep in mind:

Set a Festive but Friendly Dress Code: Encourage people to wear their best ugly sweaters, festive outfits, or holiday accessories—but remind them to keep it workplace appropriate.
Limit the Libations: If alcohol is involved, set clear boundaries. Offering drink tickets or sticking to a two-drink maximum can keep things light and responsible.
Reiterate Company Policies: It’s always a good idea to remind the team about appropriate behavior in social settings—especially when work is involved.

5. Recognize and Appreciate Your Team

Take time during the event to express your gratitude for the team’s hard work over the year. A few ideas:

Awards or Superlatives: Hand out fun superlatives like “Most Likely to Slack You After 5 PM” or “Zoom Background Pro” for some lighthearted laughs.
Personalized Gifts: Consider small, personalized gifts for each team member, such as a custom ornament or a heartfelt thank-you card.
Reflection Time: Create space for team members to share their proudest moments or favorite projects from the past year.

6. End on a High Note

Plan a thoughtful or humorous finale to leave a lasting impression:

Team Toast: End the night with a heartfelt toast or a fun team chant to close the year on a high note.
End-of-Year Video: Create a highlight reel of the team’s best moments over the past year—add bloopers for extra laughs.
Charity Donation: Announce a donation to a charity of the team’s choice, showing that the company’s spirit of giving goes beyond the office walls.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, planning an inclusive, festive, and professional event will ensure that your team feels appreciated and excited for the year ahead.

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