"The festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and, for many businesses, a chance to boost team morale. Whether you're a HR manager, a team leader, or a business owner, make this year’s festive party a memorable one for your remote or in-person colleagues. "
Christmas team building activities can be a game-changer. At a time when employees may be feeling the pressure of year-end deadlines, they can alleviate this stress and transform the office atmosphere, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity. Whether it’s virtual, hybrid or in-person, festive team activities can also help create a culture of continuous improvement, and enhance overall business performance.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Christmas team building activities or keep reading for our list of merry team ideas! This blog also includes:
- Virtual Christmas team quizzes
- Christmas office party games
- Virtual Christmas scavenger hunt for teams
The end of year celebrations are fast approaching so it’s time to get planning! To help you along the way, we've compiled a list of 10 Christmas team building activities that are engaging, inclusive, and fun for everyone. A gift from us to you!
Kick off the festive season with the best Christmas team building activities and corporate party ideas
1. Festive Office Decoration Contest
A decoration contest is a great way to kickstart the festive season around the office. It's a fun, creative activity that encourages teamwork and will bring out everyone’s competitive spirit. Teams can be tasked with decorating their workspace or a designated area. You can set themes or let their creativity run wild.
Tip: Consider incorporating company values or goals into the decoration themes. This can subtly reinforce your company's mission while keeping the activity fun and engaging.
Check out Office Games: Festive Edition for more in-person Christmas party ideas.
2. Virtual Festive Escape Room
Escape rooms are popular team building activities at Christmas and we’re sure this 45 minute virtual activity will bring plenty of cheer. Teams will be up against the clock as they work their way through 5 virtual rooms packed with puzzles and brainteasers. The team who successfully escapes Santa’s workshop in time (and with the most points) wins!
Not only will this activity get everyone in the festive spirit but it also encourages problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.
3. Secret Santa with a Twist
Secret Santa is a classic Christmas team building activity. But why not add a twist to make it even more engaging? Instead of just exchanging gifts, you could incorporate a team building element. For example, each person could share a fun fact about themselves. Then, the gift-giver has to guess who they're buying for based on the facts.
Tip: Make sure to set a budget for the gifts to ensure fairness.
4. Cocktail Making Class
Celebrate the end of the year with cocktails (or mocktails) in this unusual Christmas team building activity! A cocktail making class is an exciting way to bring your team together and will be sure to provide some laughs. Whether you choose an in-person or virtual class, everyone can take part in the fun as they learn from a professional mixologist and enjoy delicious drinks. Cheers to that!
Tip: Be sure to provide alternative options for those who don’t drink alcohol.
5. Virtual Christmas Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can be a thrilling Christmas team building activity, and it’s a great way to inspire collaboration in a remote or hybrid team. This fun 45-minute challenge will see teams testing their knowledge with seasonal trivia and getting creative with festive-themed items they can find around them. A classic but one we think Santa would approve of!
6. Festive Recipe Swap
Food brings people together so why not use it to build team spirit too?! A Christmas recipe swap is a chance for everyone to share their favourite festive dishes and learn about different culinary traditions. Each team member can submit a recipe, then everyone can vote on their favourites. The top-voted recipes can be cooked and shared in a virtual or in-person cook-off. Need some inspiration? Take a look at BBC Good Food's list of Christmas Recipes.
Tip: Consider dietary restrictions and preferences when planning this activity.
7. Virtual Christmas Team Quiz
A virtual Christmas quiz can be a fun and engaging way to bring your team together. It's a great option for remote teams, but can also be a hit with in-person teams. Packed with 12 rounds of festive trivia and brainteasers, this jolly activity is perfect for getting any team in the holiday spirit.
8. Around the World: Festive Edition
Celebrate all things diversity and travel in this virtual festive adventure! Using their smartphones and the Mobile Adventures app, teams will work together to complete a series of creative trivia tasks and festive challenges. Along the way, they’ll learn about year-round festivities from across the world. This activity is a fantastic choice for global teams!
9. Volunteering & Charity Activities
Volunteering as a team or organising a charity event is a fantastic way to give back to the local community, especially during the holiday season. Why not set up a donation point in the office where team members can donate food or clothing? Or contact a local charity to find out more about Christmas volunteering opportunities. Giving back to the local community will be sure to help bond your teammates and give them memories they’ll talk about for years to come.
10. Virtual Murder Mystery
Combine your team’s festive celebrations with an exciting winter themed murder mystery! Murder on the Slopes will immerse teams in a chilling case and it’s up to them to solve it and catch the killer in time. They’ll use the Mobile Adventures app and their smartphones to search for clues and uncover crucial evidence. Which team will be the first to unravel this mystery?
Conclusion: 10 Best Christmas Team Building Activities in 2024
As we wrap up the year, it's important to reflect on the benefits of Christmas team building activities. They are much more than just fun and games, usually requiring careful thought and preparation. They also play a crucial role in fostering a positive company culture and boosting employee morale.
Engaging in Christmas-themed activities allows team members to connect on a personal level. Whether you choose a virtual, hybrid or in-person event, it will break down barriers and encourage open communication. This leads to improved collaboration and productivity in the long run. Moreover, these activities provide a platform for recognising and rewarding employees' efforts throughout the year.
With the right planning and execution, your Christmas team building activities can be a resounding success. Remember that the end of the year can be a busy time for teams so be sure to keep the atmosphere light and fun, and encourage everyone to participate. They're sure to bring joy, camaraderie, and a sense of achievement to your team, setting the stage for a successful new year. We hope you found these Christmas team building ideas helpful!
Christmas Team Building Activities FAQs
1. What are some fun Christmas team-building activities?
There are many exciting Christmas team-building activities that can foster collaboration and festive spirit. Popular options include scavenger hunts, festive escape and festive quizzes.These activities can be tailored for both in-person and remote teams to ensure everyone is engaged and included.
2. How can Christmas team-building activities boost employee morale?
Christmas team-building activities bring a sense of fun and celebration to the workplace, which can help improve employee morale. These activities create an opportunity for team members to bond, relax, and enjoy the festive season together, which in turn can lead to better communication and collaboration in the workplace. When employees feel valued and connected, productivity and job satisfaction often increase.
3. What are the benefits of virtual Christmas team-building activities?
Virtual Christmas team-building activities are perfect for remote or hybrid teams. They help maintain company culture and engagement during the festive season, despite geographical distances. Activities like virtual Christmas trivia, scavenger hunts, or a remote festive escape rooms can foster connection and collaboration. These events are flexible, cost-effective, and allow everyone to participate from anywhere.
4. How do I choose the right Christmas team-building activity for my team?
When selecting a Christmas team-building activity, consider the size of your team, whether you're working remotely or in-person, and the preferences of your employees. Some teams might enjoy competitive games like a Christmas quiz, while others might prefer something more puzzling like a festive escape game. Make sure the activity aligns with your team's interests and overall goals to ensure maximum engagement and fun.
5. Why should businesses invest in Christmas team-building activities?
Investing in Christmas team-building activities helps businesses enhance team cohesion and celebrate the year’s successes. These events give employees the chance to unwind, connect, and strengthen working relationships. Additionally, showing appreciation through festive activities can increase employee retention and make teams feel valued, which ultimately benefits the company culture and productivity.
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