10 Fun Christmas Party Game Ideas for the Office: Spice Up Your Workplace Holiday Celebration with These Creative & Hilarious Games

Last December, I learned the hard way that not every Christmas party game is office-friendly – let’s just say that combining tinsel, blindfolds, and the finance team ended up in some memorable (and questionable) photo evidence. Ever since, I’ve been curating games that keep the festive spirit high without HR knocking on my door. After years of decorating tiny apartments and even smaller social spaces, I can say with confidence: small spaces bring big creativity – and office Christmas games are no exception. Here are my 10 favorite ideas you can actually play without moving all the desks.

1. Christmas Cookie Decorating Relay

This one’s messy but delicious. Split into teams, and each person decorates one part of a cookie before passing it along. The chaos builds, and so does the icing. Pro tip: plastic table covers are your best friend.

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2. Desk Decorating Contest

Give employees a 15-minute window to deck out their workspace. Bonus points for originality and incorporating random office items. We once had a copier turned into Santa’s sleigh. For layout inspiration, I once checked out a room planner to see how to make even cubicles festive.

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3. Holiday Pictionary

Think fast! Draw festive prompts like “Rudolph stuck in traffic” or “Elf doing yoga.” A whiteboard easel works wonders, but a digital sketchpad lets remote teams join the fun, too.

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4. Ornament Guessing Jar

Fill a clear jar with mini ornaments, candy canes, or tiny bows, and have everyone guess the count. Closest wins! Just remember to let people admire the display before it disappears.

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5. Festive Trivia Battle

Mix in Christmas traditions from different countries, movie quotes, and even some office history. I once used a free floor plan creator to design a mock “trivia lounge” in our break room for the night.

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6. Pass the Present

Wrap a small gift in many layers of paper. While music plays, pass it around; when the music stops, unwrap a layer. The final layer gets the prize. Laughter comes free.

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7. Ugly Sweater Fashion Show

Set up a mini runway and let people strut their festive (and hideous) knitwear. You’ll be surprised how competitive this gets when there’s a “Most Creative” award.

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8. Snowball Toss

Crumbled white paper or soft pom-poms can double as “snowballs.” Aim for holiday buckets or cardboard chimneys. I once used the kitchen layout planner just to see how many buckets we could fit in our tight pantry corner for extra fun.

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9. Christmas Karaoke

Whether it’s Mariah or Bublé, nothing unites a team like belting out carols slightly off-key. Offer small prizes for the funniest or most heartfelt performance.

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10. Secret Santa Swap with a Twist

Instead of a traditional exchange, steal, swap, or challenge for gifts in mini-games. Adds unpredictability and plenty of laughs without breaking the budget.

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FAQ

1. What are some quick Christmas games for the office? Try Ornament Guessing Jar, Christmas Karaoke, or Pass the Present – all need minimal setup.

2. How can I make office party games inclusive? Avoid games that require high physical activity or drinking; focus on trivia, creative, or team-based options.

3. Can these games work for remote teams? Yes, you can adapt Holiday Pictionary or Festive Trivia Battle for video calls using shared screens and online quiz tools.

4. What’s the best budget-friendly office Christmas game? Desk Decorating Contest – employees can use their own supplies or shared office decorations.

5. How do you handle prizes? Keep them lighthearted – gift cards, coffee mugs, or holiday treats tend to work well.

6. Should we have an MC for the games? Yes, a host keeps the flow moving and helps break the ice between teams.

7. How long should each game last? 10–20 minutes is ideal; this keeps the energy high without dragging the event.

8. Where can I get inspiration for more creative games? Pinterest, party planning blogs, and creative layout tools like 3D floor planner can spark new ideas.