25 Christmas Team Building Activities

The holiday season is the perfect time to boost morale, strengthen company culture, and bring employees together. Beyond decorations and gift exchanges, planning Christmas team building activities gives your team the chance to bond, laugh, and create lasting memories.

Whether you’re in the office, working remotely, or organizing a company spirit week, these ideas can turn the season into an opportunity for fun and collaboration.

Why Christmas Team Building Matters

The Christmas season is more than just decorations and gifts, it’s an opportunity to bring people together, strengthen bonds, and spread holiday cheer across the workplace.

Incorporating intentional holiday team building activities ensures that the celebrations go beyond surface-level fun, fostering lasting connections and boosting workplace happiness. Here’s why these activities matter:

Encourages Collaboration

Festive challenges and holiday party games create opportunities for employees to work together in new ways.

From a holiday scavenger hunt around the office to small-group contests like an ugly sweater contest, these activities build communication skills, encourage cooperation, and spark friendly competition in a lighthearted way. Even a team decorating a Christmas tree together can foster collaboration while filling the workplace with festive spirit.

Boosts Morale

The Christmas season can be busy and stressful, but holiday celebrations offer employees a much-needed break from routine tasks.

Fun activities like trivia, crafting ornaments, or sipping cocoa during an online hot chocolate break help employees feel appreciated while lifting the entire team’s energy. When employees are included in joyful holiday team building activities, they return to work more motivated and recharged.

Strengthens Company Spirit

Shared traditions like a themed holiday party, Christmas tree lighting, or a group volunteer day create a stronger sense of belonging. These holiday celebrations build a festive atmosphere that makes co workers feel connected and reinforces a culture of appreciation.

Ending the year with collaborative traditions strengthens company spirit and leaves lasting memories that employees carry into the new year.

Engages Remote Teams

For distributed or hybrid teams, the right virtual Christmas party ideas can make remote employees feel just as included.

Activities like online holiday games, a digital online secret Santa generator, or even a virtual Christmas dinner recreate the festive spirit virtually.

A simple Christmas tree background contest or online hot chocolate break can add warmth and inclusion, proving that remote holiday team building activities can be just as impactful as in-office ones.

By thoughtfully planning holiday team building activities, whether it’s a classic holiday party in the office, a virtual Christmas party for remote teams, or smaller traditions that fill the workplace with holiday cheer, you create a culture where employees feel valued, connected, and energized by the season.

25 Christmas Team Building Activities

1. Holiday Office Olympics

Create mini challenges like gift-wrap relays, snowball toss (using paper), or candy cane pick-up contests. A fun way to get the entire group laughing.

2. Christmas Trivia

Host a round of festive fun trivia questions covering holiday traditions, songs, and pop culture. Great for in-person or virtual teams.

3. Secret Santa with a Twist

Add riddles or challenges to the gift exchange so employees must solve puzzles to find their gift giver.

4. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest

Provide cookies, frosting, and sprinkles. Employees dress in aprons, and small groups compete for “Most Creative” or “Best Christmas Spirit.”

5. Holiday Movie Marathon Lunch

Play classics like Elf, Home Alone, or It’s a Wonderful Life during lunch breaks. Employees can vote for their favorites.

6. Ornament-Making Workshop

Host a DIY craft session where employees design ornaments. It’s a festive way to foster team spirit while encouraging creativity.

7. Virtual Escape Room: Holiday Edition

Perfect for remote teams. Solve puzzles together in a holiday-themed virtual escape room that encourages collaboration and problem solving skills.

8. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Set up an office treasure hunt with holiday clues hidden around the workplace. For virtual spirit week ideas, adapt it to Zoom or Slack.

9. Gingerbread House Challenge

Divide employees into small groups to build the best gingerbread house. This game encourages collaboration and boosts employee morale.

10. Holiday Potluck or Cookie Swap

Invite co workers to bring family recipes or holiday favorites. It creates a cozy atmosphere and builds community.

11. Christmas Carol Karaoke

Host a karaoke contest where teams perform carols or holiday pop songs. Guaranteed laughter and team bonding.

12. Community Service Day

Organize a trip to a local charity or food bank to volunteer as a group. Giving back as a team fosters deeper company spirit.

13. Desk Decorating Contest

Encourage employees to transform their workspace into a winter wonderland. Recognize the winning team at an employee awards ceremony.

14. Hot Chocolate Social

Set up a DIY hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, candy canes, and whipped cream. A warm way to boost morale on cold days.

15. Holiday Spirit Week

Dedicate a week to festive themes like “Ugly Sweater Day,” “Holiday Day,” or “Santa Hat Friday Fun.” It’s a fun way to keep employees engaged all week long.

16. Company Holiday Playlist

Ask employees to submit their favorite seasonal songs. Build a shared playlist to play during breaks or events.

17. Holiday Photo Booth

Set up props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or tinsel. Employees can take fun group photos to remember the season.

18. Christmas Puzzle Challenge

Break into small groups and race to complete a holiday-themed jigsaw puzzle. Perfect for enhancing teamwork and problem-solving skills.

19. Festive Friday Games

Dedicate every Friday in December to lighthearted office games like bingo, trivia, or “Name That Holiday Tune.”

20. Holiday Talent Show

Let employees showcase talents, singing, dancing, or even magic tricks, with a seasonal twist.

21. Virtual Holiday Happy Hour

For remote teams, host a themed Zoom call with festive drinks, fun games, and lighthearted conversation starters.

22. DIY Team Mascot Contest: Holiday Edition

Have small groups create a holiday mascot out of office supplies, ornaments, or crafts. A fun way to encourage teamwork and creativity.

23. Gift-Wrapping Relay

Teams compete to wrap oddly shaped items as quickly as possible. A silly challenge that always sparks laughter.

24. Holiday Gratitude Wall

Invite employees to post notes of appreciation for their co workers. It’s a simple yet powerful way to build a positive work environment.

25. End-of-Year Awards Ceremony

Celebrate accomplishments and boost morale with an employee awards ceremony recognizing fun categories like “Most Festive Desk” or “Team Santa.”

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is about connection, laughter, and appreciation. By organizing Christmas team building activities, you give your employees the chance to bond, recharge, and celebrate together.

Whether it’s a quick holiday trivia break, a festive office olympics, or a meaningful community service day, these fun spirit week activities will leave lasting memories and strengthen your team’s success.

Want to make planning easier? At eBombo we help you design and execute unforgettable holiday spirit week ideas or full-scale company events. From logistics to creative design, expert support ensures your Christmas celebrations run smoothly so you can focus on enjoying the fun