As Christmas is quickly approaching, many workplaces are looking for ways to engage their employees during the holiday season. Even though people may have to work over the holidays, there are still plenty of ways to make work fun and festive. Companies can organize Christmas activities to bring some holiday cheer to the workplace. Doing so will not only help employees stay motivated but also help them feel more connected to their co-workers.

Top 7 activities for Christmas celebration in the office

1- Decorate the office

Put up a Christmas tree, hang some holiday lights, and add other decorations to create a festive atmosphere.

• Choose a location for your Christmas tree. A corner of the office or a common area may be a good spot.
• Set up the tree. If you’re using a real tree, make sure to add water to the base to keep it hydrated. If you’re using an artificial tree, assemble it according to the instructions.
• Add lights to the tree. You can wrap the lights around the branches or drape them over the top of the tree. Be sure to use lights that are appropriate for indoor use.
• Add other decorations to the tree, such as ornaments, tinsel, and a tree topper. You can also add other holiday decorations around the office, such as garlands, wreaths, and tabletop decorations.
• Consider adding some holiday-themed office supplies, such as Christmas-themed pens, paper, and other supplies to add a festive touch to your work area.
• Don’t forget to have some holiday music playing in the background to add to the festive atmosphere!

With these steps, you’ll have a beautifully decorated office that is ready for the holiday season.

2- Host a potluck or office party

Encourage coworkers to bring in their favourite holiday treats to share, or plan a party with food and drinks.

• Set a date and time for the potluck or party. Consider factors such as everyone’s schedules and any potential conflicts with other events.
• Determine the theme of the event. Will it be a traditional holiday potluck, or will it have a more general party theme?
• Create a sign-up sheet for food and drinks. This will help you ensure that you have a good variety of items and that there aren’t any duplicates. You can also include a column for people to indicate any dietary restrictions.
• Set up a central location for food and drinks. You might want to designate an area in the office kitchen or break room for people to leave their contributions and for others to serve themselves.

Don’t forget to have some fun! Consider planning some holiday-themed games or activities to keep everyone entertained.

3- Have a gift exchange

Consider organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange, where everyone is randomly paired with a coworker to buy a gift. Alternatively, you could do a white elephant gift exchange, where everyone brings in a wrapped gift and participants take turns choosing a gift or stealing a gift from someone else.

Here are some gift ideas that would be suitable for a Secret Santa gift exchange or a white elephant gift exchange:

• Gift cards: These are always a popular choice because they allow the recipient to choose something they really want or need. You can give gift cards to a variety of stores or restaurants, or you can get a prepaid debit card that can be used anywhere.
• Office supplies: Consider giving something that will be useful in the office, such as a new notebook, pen set, or desk organizer.
• Food and drink: You can never go wrong with something tasty! Consider giving a box of chocolates, a bag of gourmet coffee, or a bottle of wine.
• Books: If you know the person’s interests, you could give a book that they will enjoy.
• Fun and novelty items: Consider giving something that will bring a smile to the person’s face, such as a silly toy or game.
• Practical items: Some people appreciate more practical gifts, such as a travel mug, a set of reusable water bottles, or a portable phone charger.

Remember to consider any gift preferences or restrictions that the person you are buying for may have indicated. With these gift ideas, you’ll be sure to find something that will be appreciated by your coworkers.

4- Participate in a charitable event

Consider organizing a food or toy drive for a local charity, or volunteering your time at a soup kitchen or other charitable organization.

• Food drive: Collect non-perishable food items and donate them to a local food bank or pantry. You can set up collection bins in the office and encourage people to bring in items from home.
• Toy drive: Collect new or gently used toys and donate them to a local children’s hospital or shelter. You can set up collection bins in the office and encourage people to bring in items from home.
• Clothing drive: Collect gently used clothing and donate it to a local shelter or thrift store. You can set up collection bins in the office and encourage people to bring in items from home.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen: Many soup kitchens and homeless shelters need volunteers to help serve meals or provide assistance to those in need. Consider organizing a group of coworkers to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or shelter.
• Participate in a charity run or walk: Many cities hold charity runs or walk to raise money for various causes. Consider organizing a team of coworkers to participate in one of these events and raise money for a worthy cause.

By participating in one of these events, you and your coworkers can make a positive impact on your community and help those in need.

5- Take a break from work

Consider scheduling some extra time off around the holidays, or closing the office early on Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas. This can give everyone a chance to relax and spend time with family and friends.

6- Host a holiday-themed team-building activity

Consider organizing a holiday-themed team-building activity, such as a gingerbread house-building contest or a holiday trivia game.

• Gingerbread house-building contest: Have teams work together to build the most creative or unique gingerbread house. This activity can be a fun and tasty way to bring people together and get into the holiday spirit.
• Holiday movie trivia: Create a quiz or trivia game about holiday movies. Teams can compete to see who knows the most about classic holiday films.
• Holiday card-making: Have teams work together to create holiday cards for a local nursing home or children’s hospital. This activity can be a fun and meaningful way to spread holiday cheer and make a positive impact on your community.
• Holiday gift exchange: Consider organizing a Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange. This activity can be a fun and lighthearted way to celebrate the holiday season with your coworkers.
• Holiday trivia: Create a quiz or trivia game about holiday traditions, movies, or music. Teams can compete to see who knows the most about the holiday season.

7- Share holiday traditions 

Encourage coworkers to share their holiday traditions, such as special foods or customs, with each other. This can help create a sense of community and bring people together.

• Host a potluck or office party: This can be a fun and informal way for people to share their holiday traditions through food and drink. You could also have a special presentation or discussion about holiday traditions from different cultures.
• Set up a holiday traditions display: Consider creating a display in a common area of the office where coworkers can share their holiday traditions. This could include photos, recipes, or other items that represent their traditions.
• Create a holiday traditions questionnaire: You could create a questionnaire or survey that asks coworkers about their holiday traditions and share the results with everyone.
• Host a holiday traditions workshop: Consider hosting a workshop where coworkers can share their holiday traditions and learn about the traditions of others. This could include activities such as cooking or craft-making.

By encouraging coworkers to share their holiday traditions, you can help create a sense of community and bring people together during the holiday season.