Throwing a holiday work 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. Don’t worry; the party can still be fun and a good way to celebrate a year of hard work and to share Season’s Greetings with all. Winter is the perfect theme for your office holiday party.
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.
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!
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 and use inexpensive snowglobes or weighed down mittens as balloon weights!
Banners – You can 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
Snowflake Luminaries – Add flameless candles and you have the perfect winter centerpiece!
Snowman Table Decorations – These jolly decorations fit this theme perfectly.
Snowflake Table Decorations – The real ones might be frightful, but these snowflakes are delightful!
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.
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 note card. Make sure to throw in a few difficult ones! Number the note cards, 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!