41. Gimel! Gimel!
Every culture can appreciate the joys of candy and gambling. The dreidel game gets everyone in a circle with a pile of game pieces (money, candy, etc) spinning the dreidel to see how it lands. Nun = nothing – The player does nothing. Gimel = everything – The player gets everything in the pot. Hey = half – The player gets half of the pot. Shin = put in – The player adds a game piece to the pot. The game is over when one person has won all the pieces.
42. Someone else’s home for the holidays
You don’t have to worry about cramming your entire office (and plus ones) into your pad, that’s what Airbnb is for. Host your epic party in someone else’s house, while still giving everyone that homey holiday feel.
43. Food + Drink: Pizza truck
Pizza and movie night go together like, well, pizza and movie night. Check out food trucks and catering options in your area and try to set a limit now on how many slices you’re going to eat.
Click here to bring a pizza truck to your company’s holiday party.
44. Attire: Ugly sweaters
This just wouldn’t be a proper festive list unless we suggested ugly holiday sweaters somewhere.
Pro Tip
Let technology do some of the work. You already have so many details to manage, every little bit that you can delegate will help. Rely on companies like Eventbrite to handle ticketing/guest check-in. Asana lets you assign tasks to team members. Use Heytell onsite for easy communication – this app turns your phone into a walkie-talkie.
Theme: Let’s Get Physical
45. Anyone up for a Triple Salchow?
Bundle up, watch out for that toe pick, and show off your best figure 8 with an ice skating soiree. Serve (spiked) eggnog afterward for a toasty warm-up off the ice.
46. Feel like a hamster
Bubble Soccer is a newish sport where one plays regulation soccer encased in an inflatable ball that covers the head and torso. Be warned: Instead of providing protection, the balls act as bouncy balls that propel off each other, sending the athletes inside rolling and flying.
47. Take it to the lanes
Bowling is not only an engaging retro sport but also a modern nightlife staple. The animated scoreboard, the competition, the cocktails, the dance beats, and the glow in the dark decor, all make for corporate party paradise…and no one has to worry about which shoes to wear.
48. Food + Drink: Slider truck
All this carving up the ice, flying through the air, and pin pushing calls for a carb load. Feel like a baller on the field by pulling up your own food truck, or getting catering inside the office (limited to select cities). The cuisine options are as endless as the number of hits you’ll take in bubble soccer.
49. Attire: Sporty
Any piece of clothing that mentions Lycra, sweat-wicking, breathable, and stink-proof on the tag.
Pro Tip
Decide what you want people to be talking about the next day, and spend extra time (and possibly money) to make sure it happens. Is it the food (then be sure to book with Roaming Hunger!)? An artist or musical act that’s the talk of the town? A hip venue? A unique activity? Make it the centerpiece of your event and plan the rest of the details from there.
Theme: Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
50. I Spy
…with my little eye. Scavenger Hunts are the adult version of the classic boredom-busting game I Spy. Create your own hunt theme and tie the clues to that topic. Send teams on a pub crawl to find a mustached man drinking a PBR, or on a foodie adventure to find something flavored with Sriracha. Here are some tips on getting organized.
51. Get us out of here!
Escape rooms come with their very own theme: zombies, music, murder mysteries, and more. The puzzles encourage everyone to work together or risk death. Maybe not death, but at least a disappointing loss. Roaming Hunger took on an escape room and highly recommends it as a great exercise in friendly company-wide competition (via HuffPost).
52. Silly superlatives
Handing out silly superlatives to your team is a surefire way to get a few laughs. Need some ideas?
“Earliest to every meeting”
“Most likely to use an emoji over slack”
“Messiest desk”
Just make sure that no employee feels slighted. (Courtesy of Claudia Kiss, VP of Marketing, The Vendry.)
53. Food + Drink: BBQ
After all that work, employees deserve something that’s finger lickin’ good, like BBQ. Make sure no one has to lift a finger by booking a food truck or catering.
54. Attire: Your best spy-ware
Think Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible. Sleek pants with multiple pockets and a shirt tight enough that it won’t impede sudden movements you might need to make.
Pro Tip
Embrace your limitations and view them as a chance to get creative. Maybe you have a tiny budget. The Party Goddess suggests sharing the costs with a potluck. Use a Google doc or Pinterest board to keep track of who’s bringing what. And don’t stop at the food when it comes to assignments – put someone in charge of the playlist, dishes, decor, etc. No matter what the challenge is, don’t let the details bog you down.
Theme: Booze Tour
55. Nothing to wine about
Who can ever really remember the nuances of every blend, especially on the third winery stop? This beats the heck out of a museum tour. Ride the buzz of tastings, luxurious gift shops, and artisanal menus as you create hazy, Pinot Noir-fueled memories with your colleagues.
56. IP-Yay
Ya sure, you’ll learn all about the brewery’s history and methods and yadda yadda, but the tastings! Repeat after us: pale ales, porters, stouts, lagers, ales. Strap on the beer goggles, yell a hallelujah for the 21st amendment, and make sure you have some water lined up for later.
57. Food + Drink: Pretzels, pizza, popcorn, you name it
Drinks are already covered, clearly. Food should be anything known to help soak up the booze. Some of our favs: pretzels, pizza, pasta, and burgers and fries.
Pro Tip
Consider throwing your party at an off peak time, i.e. not a weekend night in December. You’ll find better availability at venues and have more leverage to negotiate deals with vendors. The Party Goddess suggests a Sunday brunch as a way to mix up the usual routine.
Theme: Take the Party on the Road
58. All through the town
The wheels on the xmas party bus go round and round. Take the celebrations to the streets, blast bumpin’ beats, and keep the holiday party fun rollin’ to multiple locations. Stop #1 – The roof, the roof, can never be on fire if there is no roof. A rooftop bar offers spectacular views and some fresh air before it’s time to go start the bus.
Ready to bring the best food trucks to your company’s holiday party? Get started here.
59. Hark! The herald employees sing
Who doesn’t love a heartfelt carol, especially when it’s belted out of a party bus? Sing-along to a pre-recorded song, or go acapella as you use your vocal talent to share Christmas cheer with everyone.
60. To the CEO’s house we go
When the big kahuna opens his or her doors to the entire team, it’s a grand gesture of holiday giving. Just don’t forget to take your shoes off at the door.
61. For those that prefer the water
Set sail for a night with your coworkers on a dinner cruise under the stars for your corporate holiday party. Just make sure none of the staff falls overboard. That’s going to make Monday more than awkward, and Christmas a little sad.
62. Food + Drink: Lobster rolls
Line up some gourmet catering (like lobster rolls or sushi burritos) for the boss’s house, and pack the bus with booze, water, and easy snacks like popcorn, crackers, and maybe even some fruit snacks just to bring back memories of your old bus riding days.
63. Attire: Classy casual
Classy casual is on the agenda for tonight’s dress. You want to look posh for the rooftop bar and boss’s house, but just remember you’ll be getting on and off a bus, which becomes more difficult as the booze rolls on.
Pro Tip
Bixel & Company doesn’t let the excitement of the event fade when the last guest walks out the door. They use photography and videos from the event to help guests rekindle fond memories. Photos and clips from last year’s party are also a great way to build anticipation for this year’s party.
Theme: VIPs Only (Very Important Partiers)
64. Reservation for awesomeness, please
It doesn’t get fancier than renting out an entire restaurant. Let someone else do all the work while you party down. Check out The Infatuation’s list of holiday party hotspots if you’re an LA-based company.
65. Treat Yoself
Book luxurious spa treatments for the team, and you will forever be remembered as the most beloved company party planner … of all time.
66. Fast pass to fun
Whether it’s the roller coaster or just excitement, a day at a theme park will have staff screaming over your corporate holiday party.
67. Food + Drink: Dine out
Check in with the venues to see where they might be able to help out with. Restaurants often offer affordable app or dinner packages, the spa may have an attached restaurant, and you may be able to book out a private area for lunch at the park.
68. Attire: Comfy chic
Depending on which route you go, everyone should dress to the nines for a restaurant book out, slip into loungewear for the spa, and plan on tennis shoes for the theme park.
Pro Tip
Get feedback! A holiday party comes but once a year. Send out a simple survey to find out what people liked so you can build off of it next year, and what to ditch.
Hostess With The Mostest Corporate Holiday Party Tips
69. Party down on a Friday
No one wants to go to work the day after a night of overindulging with colleagues. Have your corporate holiday party on a Friday or Saturday and save everyone the struggle of trying to make it in on time.
70. Make that a double
Drinking isn’t mandatory for your corporate holiday party to be a success, but those looking to imbibe will greatly appreciate a bartender or open bar service.
71. Your driver has arrived
If your festivities really take it up a notch, some of your guests may need a ride home. Save your employees the burden of figuring it out and provide a free ride service.
72. Babysitter’s club
Any parent knows that a night out is a rare event, and a company holiday party is the perfect excuse. If your company has a lot of working parents, consider offering a babysitter stipend to show that you understand how special the night is.
73. Tricked out
Your holiday party may not have a giant ball pit like SpaceX’s did, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for sad, cardboard snowflakes. Cool decor is vital to good holiday party vibes so don’t skimp on this part.
74. Morning pick me up
A catered breakfast is essential if your party falls on a weeknight. Help everyone recover with breakfast burritos (or some Yeastie Boys bagels). Pass the Cholula, please.
75. The Hangover Part 4
Keep the good times rolling with an in-office movie day following the night of your holiday party. If Elf isn’t being played then something is seriously amiss.
76. Partner up
Besides the pure entertainment factor of seeing what guests show up, allowing employees to bring a plus one to your corporate holiday party is a nice gesture to include everyone. Also, people are more inclined to attend if they can bring their spouse or significant other along.
77. Everyone’s invited
Just because your company is spread out in different locations doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the holiday cheer. Offer remote workers a gift certificate for a nice dinner out, movie passes, or sporting tickets to make everyone feel included in the fun.
In the spirit of giving, we may have listed more than 54 corporate holiday party ideas, but you deserve it. You’ve been good boys and girls this year. A holiday celebration is the perfect time and excuse to bond with your coworkers outside of the cubicle walls. These suggestions are sure to make your event a memorable time.
So there you have it! The good news is that everyone loves a party (especially if it takes away from actual working time…). Decide on your theme, get your ducks and details in a row, and then just listen to the pros.