10 Awesome Corporate Holiday Party Ideas to Wow Your Team
Let’s dazzle your team members with a holiday celebration unlike any other.
The holidays are the perfect time to celebrate your team’s hard work, boost morale and end the year on a high note. This year, wow your team with something immersive and fresh – something everyone will be dazzled by! Based on our 20+ years of experience planning corporate events, we’ve rounded up 10 awesome corporate holiday party ideas and some tips on how to sleigh your event.
1. Winter Wonderland Gala
Transform your venue into a sparkling snow globe!
Create a sophisticated, seasonal atmosphere with white and silver and icy blue décor, and curtains of twinkling lights.
Compile a playlist of classic holiday songs or hire live music, ensuring it complements the sparkling ambiance.
Serve sparkling wine, warm drinks like spiced wine and a hot chocolate bar, including a fun variety of toppings, such as marshmallows, whipped cream and iridescent sprinkles.
2. Holiday Casino Night
Everything that happens in Vegas can now happen wherever you’re located. Encourage friendly competition with classic casino tables like poker, roulette, blackjack or slot machines, and use play money that can be exchanged for raffle tickets or prizes. For interactive fun, hire a sleight-of-hand magician for live tricks and entertainment.
3. Cozy Après-Ski Lounge
Bring the thrills from the mountain peak down to the base by throwing an après-ski-themed party.
Set the mood with a fireplace, warm faux-fur or tartan blankets and pillows, while incorporating skis, snowshoes, or ski lift signs for authentic decor.
Use evergreen boughs, pine cones, lanterns and twinkling string lights to bring the outdoors in.
Create a fun photo op with a ski lift-themed backdrop and props like goggles, scarves and hats
4. Cool Outings
Explore activities that can take place in cool weather, such as taking the team to show off their figure 8’s at the ice skating rinks or buy group tickets to watch a hockey game. If you’re located in snowy weather, go outside for tubing or sledding and even engage in snowball fights!
5. Themed Costume Party
Why let Halloween have all the fun? Curate an evening full of laughter with clever costume ideas for your staff, and then host a mini fashion show with themes such as:
Favorite holiday characters
Ugly Sweater Extravaganza
Roaring ‘20s
Totally 90’s
TV/Movie Characters
6. Charity Give-Back Event
Combine celebration with giving back to the community. Some ideas include:
Organize a holiday dinner where guests can assemble care packages for soldiers or pre-packaged meals for homeless shelters
Plan to a volunteer clean-up of a local area and end with a cocktail party
Hold a bake sale where team members bring in their homemade baked goods to sell and collect the proceeds for charity
7. Murder Mystery Dinner
Add intrigue and laughter to your party with a holiday-themed murder mystery. Whether you hire professional actors or let employees take the lead, this interactive experience gets everyone mingling and engaged.
8. Foodie Fest & Tasting Stations
Skip the traditional sit-down meal or buffet and elevate your events with themed food stations, like global holiday dishes, gourmet desserts, or wine and cheese pairings. You can even bring in local chefs or mixologists for live demos and tastings.
9. Hands-On Workshop Party
Host a workshop where employees can get creative and show off their hidden skills, while getting to keep their creations, such as:
Pottery or Candle-Making class
Paint and Sip Party
Ornament or dreidel crafting
10. Talent Showcase
Host a holiday show to let employees showcase their talents and bring some lighthearted fun to the celebration. Set up a festive stage, complete with holiday décor, and encourage employees to perform anything from singing and dancing to comedy skits and magic tricks. For an extra twist, let the audience vote for their favorite act, and reward the winner with a fun holiday prize.
Final Tips from the BDI Event Planning Pros
Add personal touches: Custom gifts, branded photo booths or handwritten thank-you notes can make a big impact.
Don’t skip the music: Whether you bring in live music, use a DJ or simply stream a playlist, the right tunes set the tone.
Plan early: Venues book fast, especially in November and December! Parties on a weekday instead of a weekend may have lower costs but may result in late arrivals to work the next day!
Bottom line: A great corporate holiday party doesn’t just celebrate the season, it celebrates your people. With thoughtful planning and a little creativity, your company can end the year on a truly festive note and set up a successful start to the new year!
Need help planning your corporate holiday party? Reach out to BDI Events today to discuss your needs.
