Why Have a Christmas Spirit Week?
It's time to prepare your workplace for a full week of festive fun. Christmas Spirit Week is a fantastic way to boost your workplace mojo and promote a healthy company culture. Here’s why:
Benefits for Employee Morale
Nothing says "we appreciate your work" like a week-long celebration of the holidays. 85% of employers believe that Christmas festivities have a positive impact on staff morale and keep the team motivated.
Team Building Opportunities
Christmas Spirit Week is the perfect excuse to get your team bonding fast and purposely. With 64.4% of companies hosting in-person holiday parties, it's clear that face-to-face festivities are back in vogue. These relaxed events create the kind of connections between your employees that last!
Creating Memorable Experiences
Why settle for one party when you can have a week of special moments? Studies show that employees who had a great time at holiday celebrations were 96% less likely to resign the following year. That's right—a little holiday magic and winter activities can go a long way.
Relax, Statistics Are On Your Side
Let's talk numbers: Did you know that 66% of companies are maintaining their party budgets? In fact, 33% are actually increasing them. Santa's not the only one being generous this year, your company is probably too. Christmas Spirit Week creates the kind of workplace people actually want to come back to after the holidays.
21 Best Christmas Spirit Week Ideas
Decorative Activities & Experiences
1. Build an Office Christmas Tree
Collaborate to assemble an office Christmas tree with your colleagues, fostering teamwork and holiday spirit. This activity encourages everyone to unleash their creative side while working together and promoting a festive atmosphere in the workplace.
Instructions:
• Gather materials for the Christmas tree (artificial tree, ornaments, lights, and a tree skirt)
• Schedule a date and time for the team to come together
• Assign roles or tasks to team members
• Play holiday music to create a festive ambiance while decorating
• Take photos of the finished tree and share them with the team
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity promotes teamwork and creativity while bringing everyone together to celebrate Christmas week.
2. Christmas Office Decorations
Decorate the office with lights and ornaments while you play festive music to create a Christmassy atmosphere. The holiday spirit just got a whole other presence in your workplace, making it cheerful and more inviting.
Instructions:
• Plan a date for decorating the office and gather supplies (lights, ornaments, garlands, etc.)
• Divide employees into teams or areas of the office to decorate together
• Play festive music in the background to energize everyone
• Take a tour of the decorated office together
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity boosts morale by creating a joyful and festive environment.
3. Holiday Desk Decorating Contest
Encourage everyone on your team to give it their all with a holiday desk makeover. From mini trees to festive lights, garlands and chocolate galore, employees can transform their workspaces into seasonal displays. At the end, vote on categories like Most Creative, Most Extra or Top Prize, bringing holiday spirit to the workplace in a personal way.
Instructions:
• Set and communicate contest rules, including any restrictions
• Provide a deadline for completing decorations
• Encourage participants to use mini trees, festive lights, and garlands.
• Create judging categories such as Most Creative, Most Extra, and Top Prize
• Arrange for impartial judges to evaluate the decorated desks
• Vote on the winners and distribute prizes.
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
Rating: ★★★★☆
Why it works: This activity boosts morale and encourages creativity among team members.
Fun and Games For All
4. Christmas Movie Night
Host a movie night featuring classic holiday films, complete with snacks and discussions about the themes. This activity creates a cozy atmosphere and encourages team bonding through shared experiences.
Instructions:
• Choose a date and time for the movie night and select a location (office or virtual)
• Compile a list of classic holiday films to screen and allow employees to vote on their favorite
• Provide snacks and drinks for participants to enjoy during the movie
• After the film, share your favorite moments and personal holiday traditions
Group size: Up to 30 people
Time estimate: 2-3 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity fosters connection and camaraderie while enjoying holiday films together.
5. Christmas Outfit Competition
Organize a contest for the best Christmas-themed outfits, such as ugly sweaters or festive accessories. Go full out and challenge your team to do the same! This activity adds a fun and spirited element to the workplace during the holiday season.
Instructions:
• Announce the date for the Christmas outfit competition and encourage all employees to participate
• Set guidelines for acceptable outfits
• Have participants showcase their outfits in a designated area or during a virtual meeting
• Allow everyone to vote for their favorite outfits in categories like Most Festive or Funniest
• Award prizes to the winners
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 1 hour
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity promotes team spirit and creativity.
6. Holiday Trivia Challenge
Organize a trivia game with questions related to Christmas traditions and pop culture for some friendly competition. Test your team’s knowledge of holiday themes and have a blast while getting competitive.
Instructions:
• Prepare a list of trivia questions related to Christmas traditions, movies, music, and pop culture.
• Divide participants into teams of 3-5 members each
• Set up a virtual or in-person meeting to host the trivia game
• Ask questions in rounds, allowing teams time to discuss their answers before responding
• Keep score and announce the winning team at the end
Group size: Up to 30 people
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity fosters engagement while providing an entertaining moment for all.
7. Holiday Pictionary Tournament
Bring out everyone’s artistic side (or lack thereof!) with a round of holiday-themed Pictionary. Split into teams, choose Christmas-related words or phrases, and let your coworkers try to guess the holiday doodles. This is a crowd-pleasing activity everyone will enjoy.
• Gather supplies and use a whiteboard, flip chart, or digital drawing tool
• Split participants into small teams of 3-5 members
• Prepare a list of holiday-related words or phrases
• One member draws while their team guesses within a set time limit
• Rotate teams
• Track points and declare a winning team
Group size: Up to 30 people
Time estimate: 1 hour
Rating: ★★★★☆
Why it works: It promotes friendly competition, creativity, and team interaction.
8. Christmas Office Bingo
Christmas Office Bingo is a season-long game that keeps the holiday spirit alive and adds a friendly competition to the workday. Bingo cards are filled with holiday-related actions, items, or occurrences that are likely to pop up around the office. Categories can include activities like “Spot someone in a Santa hat”, “Homemade cookies shared in the breakroom”, or “Secret Santa gift spotted”.
Instructions:
• Create Bingo cards filled with holiday-related actions, like “Spot someone in a Santa hat”
• Distribute cards to all participants
• Set the rules: participants should mark off items as they spot them around the office
• Encourage participation and remind everyone to keep an eye out for Bingo items throughout their workday
• Declare winners:
Once someone completes a row, they shout "Bingo!" and can win a small prize
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 1 week in total
Rating: ★★★★☆
Why it works: It promotes team bonding and cohesion.
9. Elf on the Shelf Challenge
Introduce an Elf on the Shelf in the office and have employees take turns moving it around, creating fun scenarios. This activity adds a playful element to the workplace and encourages team interaction during the holiday season.
Instructions:
• Place the Elf on the Shelf in a visible location to kick off the challenge
• Assign a different employee each day to move the elf and create a fun scene
• Encourage creativity by suggesting playful setups, like the elf roasting marshmallows or hiding in a candy jar
• Share photos of the elf’s adventures in a common area or via email
• At the end of the challenge, consider voting for the most creative elf setup and reward the winner with a small prize.
Group size: Unlimited
Time estimate: Ongoing throughout the holiday season
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity fosters teamwork and boosts morale by encouraging creativity, creating memorable moments among employees.
Creative Crowd-Pleasing Activities
10. Gingerbread House Competition
Challenge your team’s creativity with a holiday twist and divide into small groups to decorate gingerbread houses, transforming icing, candies, and cookies into delicious creations. This is an engaging activity for everyone, whether held in person or as a virtual event where team members can share photos of their masterpieces. The bonus? There’s often a sweet prize for the most imaginative house!
Instructions:
• Provide gingerbread house kits or ingredients
• Split participants into small groups (3-5 members)
• Allocate 1-2 hours for decorating
• Teams create gingerbread houses using the materials provided
• Vote for winners and award a prize
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 2 hours
Rating: ★★★★☆
Why it works: Boosting creativity and strengthening team bonds
11. Ornament Decorating Contest
Provide plain Christmas ornaments for employees to decorate and display them around the office or on the Christmas tree. This activity is a crowd pleaser and gets everyone in touch with their creative side. Besides, it adds a festive touch to the workplace.
Instructions:
• Supply plain ornaments and decorating materials (paint, markers, glitter, ribbons)
• Set a date for the contest and inform employees about any guidelines
• Allow time for employees to decorate their ornaments individually or in small groups
• Display the finished ornaments around the office and have everyone vote on categories like Most Creative or Best Holiday Spirit
Group size: Up to 30 people
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity fosters teamwork and creativity while enhancing the holiday atmosphere in the workplace.
12. Virtual Gift-Wrapping Workshop
Conduct a workshop where team members can learn creative gift-wrapping techniques from an expert. There are many ways to wrap a gift and your team will leave their families and friends in awe during Christmas when they share their new skills. This activity promotes skill-sharing and adds a fun twist to holiday preparations.
Instructions:
• Schedule a virtual meeting and invite employees to join the gift-wrapping workshop
• Ask participants to gather their own wrapping supplies (paper, scissors, tape, ribbons) before the session
• Invite an expert to demonstrate creative wrapping techniques
• Encourage participants to share their own tips and tricks during the workshop
• Allow time for everyone to practice together
Group size: Up to 20 people
Time estimate: 1 hour
Rating: ★★★★★
Technical requirements: Computer or laptop, internet connection, and storage space
Why it works: This activity enhances team bonding through skill-sharing and creativity.
Culinary Adventures for Winter Lovers
13. Christmas Cookie Swap
Have employees bake their favorite cookies and bring them to the office to exchange them, sharing recipes and treats in the process. This activity promotes creativity and camaraderie while indulging in delicious holiday treats. Beware of employee’s dietary restrictions!
Instructions:
• Invite employees to bake a batch of their favorite cookies to share
• Set a date and location for the cookie swap event
• Motivate participants to bring copies of their recipes to share with others
• Allow time for everyone to sample and exchange cookies, creating a festive environment
Group size: Up to 20 people
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity fosters team bonding through a culinary experience, encouraging creativity and collaboration.
14. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bar
Set up a hot chocolate station with various toppings for employees to enjoy during breaks in the office. This simple activity adds a festive touch to the workplace and is perfect for mingling and socializing among colleagues. Besides, everyone loves a cup of cocoa, right?
Instructions:
• Choose a location for the hot chocolate bar and gather supplies (hot chocolate mix, milk, cups).
• Provide a variety of toppings, like whipped cream, peppermint sticks, marshmallows, and chocolate chips
• Make sure everything is stocked and ready.
• Encourage employees to stop by during breaks to enjoy their custom hot chocolate
Group size: Unlimited
Time estimate: 1-2 hours (for setup)
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: By creating an inviting atmosphere, the activity promotes interaction and connection among team members.
Charitable Activities For Every Team
15. Charity Gift Drive
Organize a gift drive for local charities, encouraging employees to donate items and fostering a spirit of giving. This activity promotes teamwork and social responsibility while making a positive impact on the community.
Instructions:
• Research and select a local charity or cause to support
• Set up a collection point for donated items in the office or arrange for virtual donations so that remote teams can participate
• Communicate the drive details to all employees, including suggested items to donate
• Organize a team to sort and deliver the collected items
Group size: Groups of any size
Time estimate: 1-2 weeks (for collection and delivery)
Rating: ★★★★★
Technical requirements: Computer or laptop, internet connection, and storage space
Why it works: This activity builds team spirit through a shared goal of helping others.
16. Charity Volunteering
Work as a team and give back this holiday season by organizing a charity volunteering day. Choose from available options in your local area, whether it's helping at a food bank, organizing a toy drive, or participating in a community event. Volunteering fosters team bonding, boosts morale, and promotes teamwork. Plus, it provides an opportunity to make a positive impact together while helping local communities.
Instructions:
• Research local charities or community organizations (e.g., food banks, toy drives)
• Choose a day
• Arrange transportation and any necessary registrations
• Inform the team about the location, time, and what to expect
• Participate in activities that support the chosen cause
• After volunteering, gather to share experiences
Group size: Up to 20 participants
Time estimate: Full-day
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: It’s an activity that brings back to the local community while promoting teamwork.
Team-Building Activities for Christmas Week
17. The Famous Secret Santa
This is a worldwide crowd-pleaser Christmas activity and there’s a reason for that: it’s an activity where everyone gets involved and fun is guaranteed. Each participant draws a colleague's name in secret, then buys a small gift for them to be exchanged on a chosen date, like the company’s Christmas party. Secret Santa works in both virtual and in-person settings, and it’s a fantastic way to promote a spirit of generosity, without anyone’s gift-giving budget going overboard.
Instructions:
• Decide on a budget
• Have each participant draw a colleague's name in secret
• Each person buys a small gift for their assigned colleague
• Set a date for the gift exchange, like the Christmas party
• On the chosen date, everyone exchanges gifts and guesses who their Secret Santa is
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Group size: Groups of any size
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: It promotes team spirit, strengthening relationships, and exploring creativity.
18. New Year’s Resolutions Reflection
Organize discussions where employees share their accomplishments from the past year and set goals for the new year. This activity encourages reflection and forward-thinking, which fosters a supportive environment for personal growth.
Instructions:
• Schedule a meeting or video call for the discussion
• Each employee prepares a brief summary of their accomplishments from the past year.
• Allow time for everyone to share their reflections and discuss their goals for the upcoming year.
• Listen and share
Group size: Up to 20 people
Time estimate: 1 hour
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: This activity enhances team bonding by encouraging open communication and support.
19. Christmas Around the World Presentation
Have your team members share with their colleagues how different cultures celebrate Christmas, promoting diversity within the team. Learn about traditions and legends in this activity that fosters appreciation for different backgrounds and strengthens team connections.
Instructions:
• Invite team members to prepare a short presentation about Christmas traditions from their culture or a culture they are familiar with
• Schedule a meeting or virtual call to share these presentations
• Allow time for questions after each presentation
• Consider compiling the presentations into a digital resource for everyone to reference later
Group size: Up to 15 people
Time estimate: 1-2 hours (depending on the number of presentations)
Rating: ★★★★★
Technical requirements: Computer or laptop, internet connection, and storage space
Why it works: This activity promotes cultural awareness and appreciation.
Christmas-Inspired Social Activities
20. Holiday Ice Skating
Searching for the ultimate winter team-building activity? Take the team to a nearby ice rink for a classic winter experience. Holiday ice skating can be an energizing way to enjoy the season, but make sure it’s suitable for all skill levels – seasoned skaters and first-timers – and accessible to all team members. It’s a relaxing way to bond outdoors and get into the Christmas spirit.
Instructions:
• Choose a local ice rink that welcomes all skill levels
• Schedule a date and time for the outing
• Inform everyone about the details, including what to wear
• Organize skate rentals if needed
• Provide hot chocolate or snacks afterward if possible
Group size: Up to 15 people
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Why it works: Enhances team bonding and promoting wellbeing.
21. Virtual Holiday Cookbook
Celebrate diverse traditions by creating a digital cookbook filled with your team’s favorite holiday recipes. This activity is a fun and collaborative way to share family traditions and culinary creativity.
Instructions:
• Ask employees to submit their favorite holiday recipes
• Compile the recipes into a digital format (PDF or shared document)
• Share the completed cookbook with the entire team to enjoy and try out new dishes
Group size: Up to 15 people
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Technical requirements: Computer or laptop, internet connection, and storage space
Why it works: Promotes team bonding while fostering creativity and connection.
Planning Your Christmas Spirit Week
Planning your Christmas Spirit Week can be a breeze if you keep a few key points in mind.
- Timing Considerations
First things first: choose the right week! Aim for the week leading up to Christmas, when everyone is already in the festive mood. Check your calendar for any deadlines that might clash, and pick a time that maximizes participation.
- Communication Tips
Spread the word and use more than one channel, from emails, posters to team meetings to announce the Christmas plans. Create a dedicated channel (like a Slack group) where employees can share ideas and updates. Encourage everyone to participate.
- Getting Everyone Involved
Make it inclusive and encourage all team members to contribute with ideas and help plan activities. Consider different interests and comfort levels—some may love decorating, while others might prefer games or cooking. Not everyone’s an extrovert always ready to be a social butterfly.
- Budget Considerations
Set a budget that works for your team. Decide how much you can allocate for decorations, snacks, and activities. Many fun ideas are low-cost or even free! Get creative with DIY decorations and potluck-style snacks to keep costs down.
Final Thoughts
As we've explored these 21 festive ideas, it's clear that Christmas Spirit Week is more than a way to celebrate the holidays, but a way to transform your workplace into a winter wonderland of creativity and team connection.
From decorative activities to charitable events, these ideas offer something for every team to enjoy and grow closer together. The benefits of Christmas Spirit Week extend far beyond the festive season. In fact, they leave a lasting impact because they go way beyond spreading holiday cheer; these activities were designed to boost morale, foster teamwork, and create incredible experiences that will resonate throughout the year.
To get started, choose a week leading up to Christmas and select activities that suit your team's interests and budget. Communicate your plans early to build excitement, and encourage participation with small incentives. Don’t forget to document everything!
At TeamOut, we're committed to making your team-building events unforgettable—not just during Christmas but all year round. We offer the best suggestions for team-building activities for Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and 4th of July. Regardless of the occasion, we've got you covered!
This holiday season doesn’t have to be just a cringe affair. Transform your workplace into a hub of festive team bonding with these Christmas Spirit Week ideas. Schedule a free call today and let us help you plan your next big event!
.png)
