The best holiday party themes give everyone a fun way to celebrate the season. In this article, we’ll cover our top five corporate holiday party themes that work for any group. Each idea can be scaled up or down depending on your budget and the size of your team, so if you’re brainstorming holiday party themes for work, look no further.
1. Winter Wonderland
A winter wonderland theme is neutral, elegant, and not tied to any specific holiday, so it’ll feel inclusive for everyone. Additionally, it’s easy to transform any event space into a frosty paradise without spending too much time, money, or effort. Here’s how you can make it happen.
Decorations
Cover the tables in white linens, hang icicle lights, and use faux snow. Also, ask people to dress up (you can even set a color theme!) to make the event feel extra special.
Food and Drinks
Some popular food and drink options for a winter wonderland theme include a hot chocolate station, snowflake sugar cookies, and a signature cocktail that might include something like frosted cranberries or big ice cubes.
Entertainment
For entertainment, set up a photo booth with silver tinsel backdrops and snow props like hats, scarves, and earmuffs. You can also have handheld signs or flags that fit the theme!
2. Holiday Movies
Holiday movies are a major part of the season for many people. This theme works especially well if you want something lighthearted without too much formality. Additionally, a holiday movie theme can be done at your own office or at an event space that’s equipped for the purpose.
Decorations
Pick a few of your (or your staff’s) favorite films and decorate different areas with nods to each one. For example, you could string Buddy the Elf quotes around the room or create a Home Alone booby-trap display.
Food and Drinks
Serve snacks that you’d find in a theater, like popcorn, nachos, and candy. You can consider adding a holiday twist by choosing things like red and green M&M’s or peppermint sticks.
Entertainment
Set up screens to play the movies, or create a holiday trivia game based on some of your featured films.
3. Ugly Sweater Party
Ugly sweater parties are a classic since they’re low-pressure and tend to get everyone laughing. It’s also one of the easiest holiday party themes for work because it doesn’t require a ton of decorations or planning. All you need is for everyone to show up in their most outrageous holiday knitwear. Additionally, hosting an ugly sweater party is a great theme for any team since it works no matter your budget. You can go all out with a rented event space, catering, and a DJ, or keep it small with potluck-style food and music from your own holiday playlist.
Decorations
Decorate with lots of red and green, along with some tacky holiday décor like tinsel, flashing lights, and oversized ornaments.
Food and Drinks
Choose festive comfort food or host a cookie exchange. For drinks, you might choose something like hot toddies or spiked eggnog.
Entertainment
Host a contest for the ugliest sweater with prizes for the people who are voted most creative, most festive, and more.
4. Around the World
Celebrating holidays from different cultures gives everyone a chance to learn something new. This is one of the most inclusive corporate holiday party themes, and it will naturally spark conversations. It’ll also give your team a chance to feel represented and appreciated, especially if you have a diverse group.
Decorations
For decorations, assign different areas of your event space to represent a holiday or country. You can use flags and cultural symbols to decorate.
Food and Drinks
When choosing the food and drink, you can feature small bites from around the world, like latkes, tamales, panettone, mulled wine, or any other food that fits into the specific cultures you’ve chosen.
Entertainment
Play music from different cultures or bring in a live performer who can help show off an international holiday tradition.
5. Casino Night
If you want your holiday party to feel more like a true night out, a casino night theme is a great option. It’s festive and creates a lively atmosphere where people can mingle.
Decorations
For decorations, choose a black, red, and green color scheme that includes things like playing cards, dice, and sparkly tablecloths. You can also add holiday touches like poinsettias and twinkle lights.
Food and Drinks
For the food and drinks, choose small bites that are easy to eat while people are playing games, plus champagne or holiday cocktails.
Entertainment
For entertainment, you can hire card dealers or rent casino tables. Give out fake money at the door and let people compete for prizes instead of cash.
Tips for Choosing the Right Holiday Party Theme
If you’re still not sure which holiday party theme will work best for your group, there are a few steps you can take to narrow down your options. First, think about your staff. Is your group more laid back, or do people tend to be formal and professional? Is your staff already well-acquainted, or do they need a more icebreaker-like setting to get to know each other? Corporate parties are a great way to help teams bond, since social events outside the office encourage employees to connect on a more personal level. Pick a theme that matches their vibe.
Next, think about inclusivity. We suggest picking themes that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their personal or cultural traditions. If you have a range of personalities, it can also help to offer a mix of entertainment options so that everyone can find something they enjoy.
Finally, consider your budget and scale your party up or down accordingly. Each of these office holiday party themes works for both small gatherings and large events at an off-site location.
Host Your Office Holiday Party at Wintrust Sports Complex
The holidays are about connection, and no matter what theme you choose, your team is sure to appreciate it. Ready to start planning a corporate holiday party in Chicago? Wintrust Sports Complex’s state-of-the-art, multi-purpose entertainment facility is conveniently located in Bedford Park, Chicago, and we welcome groups of all sizes. Contact us today to learn more about hosting your holiday office party with us!