Holiday work parties can bring your staff together and reinvigorate them for the coming year. But how can you choose a unique theme at the right venue that will make your celebration even more memorable? Here, we cover some of our favorite unique holiday party ideas that will bring your team together and make the season feel special.
Holiday Bake Off
For this unique holiday theme, you’ll channel your inner Great British Baking Show while adding a festive twist. Invite everyone to bring their best baked goods, like cookies, pies, or cupcakes, or set up baking stations for teams to compete while at the party. You can provide the basic ingredients, assign each group a challenge like “best gingerbread structure” or “most creative frosting design,” and choose a few judges who’ll be the taste testers. Then sit back and watch as your staff compete for the top spot! This holiday party theme is great because it’s interactive and taps into a bit of friendly competition. Also, it’s a team-building event that will have everyone laughing and working together while celebrating the end of the year.
Around the World in One Night
For a creative holiday team idea that goes beyond your classic ugly sweater party, throw a global celebration. You can assign different groups a country to represent (or have them represent their own!) and let them bring food or games that reflect that culture’s traditions. When your guests arrive, they can travel from one area to another to try all the different offerings. For large gatherings, you could also set up a system where people collect stamps as they go. We love this idea for corporate team-building outings since it encourages collaboration and an appreciation for different cultures. It also makes for great photo ops!
Cabin Getaway
If you book a large event space, you can transform your holiday party into a winter retreat with decor like flannel tablecloths, faux fireplaces, string lights, and a hot cocoa bar. Activities could include indoor s’mores roasting stations, trivia, campfire stories, and board games, and you can encourage people to come wearing winter sweaters or pajamas for a more laid-back feel. We love this cabin getaway idea as a unique holiday party theme for teams that have had a busy year and need a way to unwind without the pressure of dressing up or participating in competitive games.
Elf Workshop
For an extra unique holiday party theme, host an elf workshop! You can divide your guests into teams and challenge them to build something festive together. This could be assembling care packages for local charities, crafting ornaments, wrapping gifts for a Secret Santa, or something similar. For a fun touch, consider adding elf hats, Christmas music, and snacks like frosted cookies. This holiday party theme is great for those who want to celebrate while also giving back. When done well at a venue with flexibility, it becomes one of those team-building events that combines creativity and community spirit, and everyone will leave feeling good.
Secret Santa Competition
We all know about Secret Santa, but you can make this theme extra unique by turning it into a game. Give each participant a budget and a random coworker to shop for, but add a twist, like each person must give three clues about themselves in advance, and gifts have to somehow connect to those clues. You can have a reveal at the event where everyone guesses who their Secret Santa is before opening gifts. We love this theme since it’s personal and sparks conversation between people who may not usually interact at work. It’s also a great way to incorporate creativity into holiday team-building events.
The Giving Tree
Want to make your company’s holiday celebration more meaningful? Create a Giving Tree. Before the event, invite employees to nominate their favorite local charities, then decorate a tree with ornaments that list items people can donate or volunteer opportunities they can sign up for. At the party, people can pick an ornament and pledge to fulfill it. We love this unique holiday party theme since it unifies people around a shared purpose and reminds everyone what the holidays are truly about.
DIY Ornament Bar
Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most memorable. Set up a DIY ornament-making bar where your guests can personalize decorations with paint and glitter. You can hang them on a company tree or let everyone take one home as a keepsake. Crafting is a relaxing activity that mixes holiday celebrations with team-building outings, giving everyone time to slow down and be creative together.
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 professional? Are your guests already friends, or do they need icebreakers 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 the tone.
Next, think about inclusivity. We suggest picking themes that everyone can enjoy. If you have a range of personalities, it can also help to offer a mix of entertainment so that everyone can find something they enjoy.
Finally, consider your budget and scale your party up or down accordingly. This will include choosing a great venue for hosting your party! Each of these corporate team-building outings works for both small and large groups.
Host Your Office Holiday Party at Wintrust Sports Complex
Ready to start planning a holiday party in Chicago? Wintrust Sports Complex’s state-of-the-art, multi-purpose entertainment facility is conveniently located in Bedford Park, and we welcome groups of all sizes. Contact us today to learn more about hosting with us!