Holiday Office Party Ideas

Throwing a holiday office party is not as easy as it used to be. In an era of political correctness and workplace diversity you have to be a little more careful. That’s OK! The party can still be fun and a good way to celebrate a year of hard (and hopefully profitable) work and to share Season’s Greetings with all. Winter is the perfect theme for your office holiday party. Snow never offends anyone (except when it turns to slush!)

Winter Theme Holiday Party Invitations

People are very busy during the holiday season. Make sure you get on the calendar with an unforgettable invite. Personalized holiday invitations are perfect for a winter themed holiday party. Make the invitations sparkle by adding a little snowflake confetti in the envelopes.

Another popular option is sending personalized ticket invitations. You get to use your own wording, choose from seven colors (we recommend blue or silver) and can order as few as 30. Lanyards and pouches are also available for ticket invitations, so everyone can wear the ticket to the event!

Or go with a caricature invitation; it is one of a kind and can't be topped! Include the CEO of your company dressed as a snowman or Jack Frost with all of his or her "snowflake helpers".

If you are going to have a theme or activity at the party, let your guests know on the invite so that they can be prepared. Here are a few fun suggestions:

Gift exchange
Ugly Sweater Contest
Cookie exchange
Potluck/recipe exchange
Scavenger hunt

Everyone will be excited for this office holiday party!

Winter Wonderland Party Decorations and Party Supplies

Decorate the party room like a winter wonderland! It's easy to do so that everyone can enjoy the beauty, but not the cold, of winter.

Use winter colors - White, silver and light blue are the perfect colors for this party, so use them for all of your decorations and party supplies. Cover tables with blue plastic tablecloths and sprinkle snowflake confetti across the top.
Balloons - The best bang for your buck. Make bouquets with an odd number of balloons (it looks better) and use inexpensive snowglobes or weighed down mittens as balloon weights!
Banners - You ca go with a custom winter theme banner that has a personalized message, or use a fun snowflake themed "Happy Holidays" jointed banner.
Lights - Hang a few strings of blinking, twinkling white lights around the party space and dim the overhead lights a bit to give the room a winter glow.
Winter Table Decor - It's easy to decorate the tables and the buffet with these winter theme table decorations
No Melt Snowballs - Create decorative snowballs that won't melt inside. Purchase Styrofoam balls and white glitter from the craft store. Brush the Styrofoam with a liberal amount of clear or white glue, and roll the ball in the glitter. Let it dry overnight. Pile the snowballs in glass bowls or plastic pails for a fun and inexpensive decoration!
Spray snow - if your party room or break room has any glass surfaces decorate them with a can of spray snow. It will make everyone feel festive, and you can write out a holiday greeting or even make a snowman!
Winter Photo Op - Set up an area where everyone can take a fun holiday photo! You can use a Snowman Photo Op, or set up a backdrop with a winter scene setters and give everyone hats, scarves and mittens to wear in the pictures.
The Smells of Winter - Pine, peppermint or spice scented candles will make the room smell as well as look like winter, so place them liberally around the room.

christmas office party Games and Activities

A few fun activities will make the party a blast for everyone. Here are some great easy games and activities for your holiday office party:

White Elephant Gift Exchange
A White Elephant gift exchange is where everyone brings something tacky from their attics or basements. (I once received a deer hoof lamp that was very festively decorated!). This exchange is played in many ways, one is while the gifts are still wrapped, have your guests pick a present. Once everyone has one gift, have everyone open their presents. After this, grab a pair of dice and have your guests roll them. Anyone who gets doubles gets to keep their gift or swap a gift with whoever they choose. You can choose to go around the circle one, twice or three times; or only allow two swaps (or keeps) before that person is out of the game and you continue until everyone is finished. You can even hold a contest for the "weirdest", "ugliest", and "most creative use of glitter/rubber bands/dry pasta".

What Am I?

Make up pieces of paper with winter characters and objects written on them (Jack Frost, Snow Plow, Mittens, Snow Tires, Hot Chocolate, etc) As guests arrive, pin or tape the piece of paper to each of their backs, without letting them see what's written on it. The rules are that they can only ask and answer yes or no questions, to find out who they are.

Name the Logo
Beforehand, go through magazines and cut out logos and/or advertising symbols (Nike swoosh, 7up dot, etc.) of different recognizable brands and paste each on a notecard. Make sure to throw in a few difficult ones! Number the notecards, so that guests can write down their guesses. Through the party, have the guests walk around the room and write down their guesses. The most correct guesses wins!

Holiday office Party Favor

It's always nice to end the party with a fun favor. Try a few of these winter themed ideas:

Winter Theme Candy Bar - Set one at every place setting, or have them by the door for guests to grab on the way out. Additionally, set out single serving sized bottles of milk or bottled water to go with the chocolate.
Chapstick (the cure for those chapped winter lips)
Car Ice Scraper - Add a tag that reads "It was so ICE of you to party with us!"
A single serving pack of gourmet hot coco
Personalized Mint Tins with a Winter Wonderland design
Sugar cookies in the shape of snowmen or snowflakes
A box of Sno-Caps candy
Popcorn balls

Tie a tag on the favor that says "Thanks for coming to frolic and play in this Winter Wonderland!"

Have a wonderful time in your winter wonderland, and a have a Happy Holidays!