Choosing holiday games that include everyone
Many lists are built around Christmas. If your team does celebrate it, see Christmas party games for adults, or Hanukkah party games for adults for another option. That works for some teams, but workplaces often include people who celebrate different holidays, or none. A few ways to keep a party inclusive:
- Use a general seasonal or winter theme where possible, such as “favorite cozy food” instead of “favorite Christmas song.”
- Offer themed options for specific holidays if you know your team celebrates them.
- Make every game optional.
- Avoid questions that assume family, travel, or gift-giving budgets.
- Offer non-alcoholic drinks and choose games that do not depend on drinking.
Quick questions
Questions are the easiest icebreakers. Ask them around a table, in a chat, or in breakout rooms.
This or that
- Hot chocolate or spiced cider?
- Cozy night in or big party?
- Real tree or artificial tree (or no tree)?
- Wrapped gifts or gift bags?
- Snow day or sunny holiday?
Story prompts
- What is a tradition you look forward to each year?
- What is the best gift you have given or received?
- What food would you not want to go without this season?
- What is a small thing that makes the season feel special?
Let people answer briefly. Two sentences is usually enough.
Mingling games
Holiday bingo
Create bingo cards with squares such as “has baked something this month” or “has traveled for the holidays.” Players mingle and find a person for each square. A first line or full card wins a small prize.
Holiday Two Truths and a Lie
Each person shares two true and one false statement about holiday habits. The group guesses the lie. For a lot of people, split into smaller circles.
Guess the ornament count
Fill a jar with small decorations and ask guests to guess how many are inside. Easy to set up and runs in the background during the party.
Team games
Gift wrap race
Teams wrap an object, such as a box, as quickly and neatly as they can. Judge on speed, style, or both.
Name the carol or song
Hum or play a few seconds of well-known seasonal songs and have teams guess. Mix genres so it does not feel limited to one tradition.
Holiday movie emoji Pictionary
Teams guess film titles from emoji strings. It works in person on a screen or in a video call.
Holiday movie bracket
Build a bracket of favorite seasonal films and vote head to head to find a winner. It produces friendly arguments and takes about 15 minutes.
Gift games
White elephant: Each person brings a wrapped gift under an agreed price limit. Players draw numbers, then pick or steal gifts according to a set order. Agree on a steal limit in advance. Be sure to set a modest budget so nobody feels pressure.
Secret Santa alternatives: Instead of gifts, some teams try a “secret help mission,” where a person anonymously does something kind for a colleague, or a kind-note exchange that costs nothing.
Virtual and hybrid parties
- Run questions in the chat or breakout rooms.
- Try emoji Pictionary and movie brackets on a shared screen.
- Use a virtual background contest.
- For white elephant, run it digitally with gifts sent in advance or with virtual gift cards, if the team agrees.
Keep video parties short, and give people a clear end time. For a spooky seasonal option, see virtual Halloween games.
Sample 45-minute run-of-show
- 0 to 10 minutes: Welcome and arrival questions or bingo.
- 10 to 25 minutes: One team game, such as a song guessing round.
- 25 to 40 minutes: White elephant or a quieter alternative.
- 40 to 45 minutes: Thanks, recognition, and wrap-up.
If you want something shorter between agenda items, see 5-minute games for adults and team meetings. For prop-free ideas, see team building games with no equipment.
Tips
- Share the plan ahead so introverts can prepare.
- Keep the energy friendly rather than competitive.
- Keep prizes small.
- Take the lead on joining in, since people follow the host.
FAQ
What are some good holiday games for a work party?
Holiday bingo, a song-guessing round, gift wrap race, and white elephant are popular.
What is a fun quick ice breaker for work?
A this-or-that question or a one-sentence tradition share takes under five minutes.
What are some hilarious ice breaker games?
Gift wrap race and emoji Pictionary tend to get laughs because they reward silliness over skill.
What are good funny icebreaker questions for work?
Try “What is the worst holiday gift you can imagine getting?” or “Which movie character would be the worst office party guest?”