The 28 Best Ideas for a Virtual Holiday Party in the Office in 2023

Ho-ho-ho! It’s that time of the year when your virtual office parties need some sass and extra special fun! Our 28 ideas, games and activities  are ready to help you host an out-of-this-world virtual holiday party in the office. So whether you’re looking for a cosy event with some wine tasting or an adventurous evening full of intrigue and mystery, we’ve got you covered with a little bit of everything!

Let’s jump right in! 

Unique Holiday Zoom Games and Activities for Small Groups

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Planning your festive party can sound like a hassle, but with our list of hosted activities and games, you won’t have to worry about anything! So let’s start by checking out our best virtual Christmas games and activities for small teams and groups of up to 75 people. These are so much fun they would even get the Grinch into the festive spirit! 

1. Around the World Holiday Edition

• Group Size: 10 to 4000
• Price: From £16/$19 per person
• Duration: 60-minutes

Get your team together and have a blast playing a holiday-themed Around the World game. The game features unique winter holiday traditions such as (spoiler alert) the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, and more! Participants will get to try their hand at a pub quiz together despite being in different locations. Throughout the game, participants will get to learn about each other’s culture while competing for the top spot. The game is perfect for small groups and large groups alike, which makes it a perfect team-building pick for the holiday season.

2. Gingerbread House Decorating Class (With Kits!)

• Group Size: 10-200
• Pricing: starting at $70 pp
• Duration: 60 min

It’s the most delicious time of the year! Can you smell the yumminess in the air? Cause we surely can! Did you know that gingerbread houses originated in Germany in the 16th century and have been associated with Christmas ever since! Gingerbread House Decorating Classes are a favourite activity of many remote teams. This lighthearted activity is excellent for dispersed teams to reconnect as they learn how to assemble and decorate their very own Gingerbread House. This Instagram-worthy activity is not only fully-hosted but also comes with a kit that includes homemade house pieces, icing, candies, and icing tips.  

3. Magical Escape Room

• Group Size: 4-32
• Pricing: starting at £16/$20 pp
• Duration: 60 min

The magical season sometimes requires a little bit of witchcraft and wizardry! Christmas is all about sharing something special with others. So why not, defeat a mythical creature with the help of your colleagues and save Monster Hunter Academy from destruction? This online escape game has a Harry Potter vibe that many will enjoy. If your team shuns away from classic holiday activities, they’ll love this unique Christmas experience that puts their problem-solving skills to the test. Monster Hunter Academy is great for helping teams feel good about themselves as they solve puzzles and save the academy from the mythical beast. Get ready to cast your best magic spells to get rid of the creature. Spin the magic and let it glow

4. Candle Making Class (with bespoke kits)

• Group Size: 12-150
• Pricing: starting at £65/$90
• Duration: 60 min

The smell of scented candles is known to have a soothing effect on our minds. The scents boost hormones like serotonin and dopamine which can uplift our mood. That being said, candle-making is both relaxing and therapeutic, which makes it a great way to reward your employees for their hard work. All participants will receive a candle-making kit and learn how to make their candles from a professional host. You can even customise your candle packaging with a note from your company!

5. Apres-Ski Cocktails (with cocktail kits)

• Group Size: 5-120
• Pricing: from £45
• Duration: 60 min

Cocktails are always a good idea at this time of the year. Why not take a tour of four virtual pubs overlooking an Alpine village as you sip four different cocktails.Your team will certainly have an incredible time bonding and catching up with their mates. Apres-Ski Cocktails is a hosted cocktail-making class where the hosts will teach your team how to craft their own drinks. Moreover, guests can participate in a competition to win some boozy gifts! All you’ll need are your fancy coupe glasses and your Santa hats!

6. Cheese and Wine Tasting (with cheese and wine kits!)

• Group Size: 6-100
• Pricing: starting at £70 pp
• Duration: 90 min

Wine and cheese is a classic combination, however, many people don’t know much about the art of pairing. Whether it’s combining your Pinot Noir with some Comte or Sauvignon Blanc with delicious creamy goat cheese, pairing is a subtle art. A cheese and wine pairing experience is not only educational but also allows your team to discover something that they would otherwise not experience! So get that fancy cheese board out and prepare to impress your friends with your connoisseur skills!

7. Wreath Making Class with kits

• Group Size: 5-500
• Pricing: from £35/$42
• Duration: 60 min

Tis’ time to show off your wreath to your neighbours! If you’re into crafting, then you’ll certainly adore a wreath customisation class that allows you to get as creative as it gets. Treat your team to a unique team-building experience and let them demonstrate their crafting skills during a creative event. With the kits shipped directly to everyone’s place, you won’t have to worry about getting the supplies on time. Moreover, most of the supplies are eco-friendly and recyclable.

8. Christmas Cracker Workshop (with recyclable material)

• Group Size: 6-98
• Pricing: starting at £26/$38 pp
• Duration: 60 min

Christmas crackers have been part of the holiday tradition for over a century. They were first created by a sweet maker named Tom Smith in the UK! Ever since that time, Christmas crackers have been part of holiday celebrations and are always a great favourite during family gatherings. Your team will enjoy the privilege of making six different crackers alongside a professional host who will tell them all about Christmas crackers! The Christmas Cracker Workshop is ideal for teams who yearn for a creative and informative activity that will help them bond with their colleagues.

9. Holiday Solve the Murder Game

• Group Size: 6-50
• Pricing: prices starting at £349/$475
• Duration: 60 min

It’s time to add a bang to your classic virtual holiday parties! A murder mystery like Who Killed Jacob Marley is ideal for the holiday season. Inspired by Dickens’ famous tale A Christmas Carol, this game is all about teaming up with your colleagues to find out who murdered Jacob Marley. Marley was found dead in the counting-house where he shared a home with the infamous miser Ebeneezer Scrooge. But blaming Scrooge seems too simple. To solve this horrifying crime, participants must speak with suspects, go over evidence, and investigate hints. This Christmas-themed murder mystery is all you need for your team to collaborate, interact and have a great time with their peers. 

Interactive Holiday Zoom Games and Activities for Large Groups

Whether you’re a medium-sized company or a corporate, it can be tough to find the right activity or game for your team. Luckily, you can count on us for a brilliant list of the best activities and games that will thrill your crew of 150 people and above!  

10. Christmas-themed Trivia 

• Group Size: 8-500
• Pricing: starting at £16/$22 pp
• Duration: 60 min

Ain’t nothing like Christmas Trivia! Christmas Essential is a trivia game that incorporates fun and humorous Christmas-related information. These trivia questions are meant to entertain and engage participants while providing them with new information. Christmas Trivia is T-H-E way to end the year, with everything from belly-laughing Pictionary to festive Karaoke. Play several Christmas-themed mini-games including Trivia, Fact Matching, Buzz In, Pictionary, or the equally merry Sort It. To top it all off, visit the holiday-themed photo booth. Put on your festive finest, and join the emcee who will be there to entertain your team.

11. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree (Cocktail Kits + Trivia)

• Group Size: 10-500
• Pricing: starting at £65/$90 pp
• Duration: 120 min

‘‘Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop’’. Can you feel the excitement and cheer in the air? You certainly will with a holiday-themed Trivia and mixology class where you will shake up four different cocktails and enjoy some friendly competition. This 2-in-1 festive experience will get your  groove on within minutes or after sipping some of your homemade cocktails! Get ready to shake up a Raspberry Mojito and enjoy sixty minutes of festive mini-games this Christmas. 

12. Christmas Gift Hampers 

• Group Size: 5-500
• Pricing: starting at £25/$35 pp

Christmas Fudge Crackers or a Craft Beer Advent Calendar? Ask and you shall get! Make your online Christmas party one to remember with some unique gift hampers. Choose from four different hamper kits such as Christmas Bubbly, Christmas Snacker, The Fireplace Kit, and The Advent Calendar to surprise your team with some unique holiday gifts. Employees will not only be happy to receive company gifts but also feel more appreciated at their workplace! 

13. Christmas Cooking Workshop

• Group Size: 10-1000
• Pricing: starting at £800/$1100
• Duration: 120 min

Eat, drink and be merry with Jamie! Delivered by Jamie Oliver’s School of Cookery, the Christmas cooking workshop is a fun way to unite people through a learning experience! The festive season is the perfect time to help your employees to get to know each other through a cooking activity. Prepare a holiday feast and dine in style with your colleagues. Whether you love spicy or creamy dishes, this workshop will satisfy all of your Christmas cravings! Turn your boring team-building events into successful office parties that will keep everyone’s tummy full and happy!

14. Christmas Bingo Party 

• Group Size: 30-500
• Pricing: starting at  £800/$1100
• Duration: 60 120min

Forget about your traditional bingo nights. This virtual bingo game is more exciting than any game you’ve ever played before. Turn your crib into a club and have fun playing and showing off your victory dance moves to your colleagues! Host an epic Bingo Party to up your virtual workplace gatherings, and enjoy the entertainment provided by the DJ and emcee.  The DJ’s quickfire mix of music will be played after the rules of the game are explained. Mark off the song on your bingo card once you recognise it, and when you finish a line, shout “BINGO” to win your prize! Things are about to get groovy, so pour yourself some hot chocolate.

15. Fun Awards Night 

• Group Size: 5-500
• Pricing: starting at £469/$649
• Duration: 90 min

Celebrate your team’s twirl-a-pen skills or humour at a fun awards night this Christmas. Office parties can be exciting when done right. The Virtual Office Party aka Awards night will help your team interact and relax with some easy and enjoyable tasks! Vote for the teammate whose character matches a persona. The traveller, the foodie, the gym lover, you name it. With an Oscar-style awards presentation at the end of the event, your team is in for a treat. Don’t forget to ask everyone to dress up for the occasion!

16. Death on the Slopes 

• Group Size: 4-250
• Pricing: starting at £12/$17 pp
• Duration: 90 min

Love the snow-covered mountains? Then you’ll love showing off your detective skills in this mind-boggling murder mystery on the slopes. You’re on a wonderful ski trip with your squad when a body is found in the snow. Luckily, the most brilliant detective team (You!) is on the premises. Get ready to Interrogate witnesses, search for clues and evidence in the chalet and find out whether it was an avalanche or the deed of an enemy. Put on your detective coat and hat cause things are about to get hot….erm cold! 

17. Reindeer Games (with Christmas Hampers)

• Group Size: 8-250
• Pricing: starting at £41/$57 pp
• Duration: 45 min

Take your classic reindeer games to the next level with Santa’s Party Sleigh! Become Rudolph’s successor or get coal trying. Reindeer games is a holiday-themed game that will remind your team of their childhood days. Participants have to help Santa elect the new champion reindeer by racing to earn the most presents! But hold on, that’s not all! Christmas hampers will be sent to all guests so that they enjoy Christmas munchies while playing! You can choose from three different hamper options to treat your team to an exquisite experience. With 6 races and delicious holiday treats to entertain them, your team might even appoint you as the next Santa Claus! 

18. All I Want For Christmas (Trivia +Hampers) 

• Group Size: 8-500
• Pricing: starting at  £41/$57 pp
• Duration: 60 min

Ho-ho-ho, you’ve just found the ultimate Christmas gift for your team. It might sound dubious but did you know that studies have shown that gifts improve employee productivity and morale more than cash bonuses? Cash bonuses tend to feel impersonal while a Christmas hamper and a holiday-themed trivia will be remembered for a long time. All I Want for Christmas is the only bundle you’ll ever need to bring the festive spirit  to  your remote office. 

Free Virtual Holiday Party Ideas (with FREE TEMPLATES)

No matter the size of your company, it’s an absolute must to celebrate the holiday season together. Virtual teams can revive team spirit and help their teams feel happier at work by hosting an online holiday party. While parties often rhyme with pricey, we’ve got your back with some DIY holiday party ideas that don’t cost a fortune and can be easily hosted by you or your colleagues!

19. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Your team’s in for a virtual blast with a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. Virtual treasure hunts are interactive and can teach your team a thing or two about their colleagues. Scavenger hunts are probably one of the most entertaining ways to celebrate this wonderful time of the year. 

How to host your scavenger hunt:

• If you’re a large team, divide your team into smaller groups. 
• Then see which team can find the listed items the fastest. 
• The team with the highest number of items is the winner. 

You can host as many scavenger hunts as you want. You may even host hunts with different themes such as popular holiday movies, food, or songs. If you’re running out of ideas, use our free holiday-themed hunt for some epic merrymaking! 

 20. Holiday-themed Bingo 

A holiday-themed bingo game is always a good idea. Not only is the game easy to host and play but it’s also entertaining for everyone. You can play the game on a platform like Zoom and interact with each other using the chat box. If you are a small group, you won’t even need breakout rooms to get the party started! Customise your own Bingo game with Canva or simply use our free templates!

21. Pet Holiday Dress Up Competition

Poodle owners, it’s your time to enjoy the limelight! Show off your pet’s best costume for the holiday season. Dress them up as reindeers, little elves, or The Grinch! Throw a Pet Costume Contest and ask your peers to vote for the best costume on Slack! Seeing a cute rabbit or cat in a gingerbread man outfit will certainly make your day better! You could even use the photos to create a fun online 2023 calendar and share it with your crew! Do your magic, Santa Paws! 

22. Christmas Movie Marathon 

Everyone enjoys a good Christmas movie during the holiday season. Decide which film you would like to watch and use Sync-Video or Watch2Gether to watch the movie together. Pop some corn and you’re all set. You may even turn a classic movie night into a happy hour. Just ask everyone to drink up whenever Christmas or any other holiday-related word is used! Another way to upgrade your movie night is to play the movies on mute and add your own dialogues! The one with the funniest lines wins the game!

Here are our top picks:

1. Scrooge (1951)
2. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
3. It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
4. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
5. Klaus (2019)
6. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
7. The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
8. Home Alone (1990)
9. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
10. Elf (2003)
11. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
12. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

23. Festive Fashion Contest

Can you hear Right Said Fred’s ‘‘I’m too sexy’’ in the background? Forget your ugly sweater challenge and host a unique-themed fashion contest. Pick an era, a theme, or a movie, and ask your team to dress accordingly. You can also give away prizes to the winners. Let the ideas go wild and see how creative everyone gets. A festive fashion show is a good occasion for everyone to dress up while being at home! You’ll also get to discover each other’s styles and learn something new about your colleagues during this activity. 

24. White Elephant Gift Exchange

White elephant gift exchanges are hilarious, so if you’ve never taken part, you’re in for a great time! Each participant brings a present that is worth up to a certain value. Then they proceed in order to choose numbers. Each time, the player chooses a gift from a pile or has the option of stealing an opened gift from another player to force them to choose a different one. Fortunately, it is possible to play on a video conference in this day and age! You may perfect this idea for a virtual holiday party with the aid of White Elephant Online.

25. Never Have I Ever Christmas Edition

The game is identical to the well-known party game but is holiday themed. Five fingers must be raised by each participant. For example, “Never have I decorated a Christmas tree” or “Never Have I ever believed in Santa” are examples of things that teams take turns saying they have never done at work. Whoever is guilty of doing this at work closes a finger, and when all five fingers are down, they are out. Teams can decide whether or not to share the incident’s true history. You can always pour yourselves some drinks if you want to truly unwind and get to know your colleagues! 

Check out some free holiday-themed Never Have I Ever questions here.

26. Christmas Tree Challenge 

Time to host the Christmas Tree Battle! Who has the best dressed Christmas tree? Find out by asking everyone to share their decorated trees or office spaces to win a prize. It can be anything from a small bonus to a box of chocolates! To make it even more fun, you could offer a few hours of rest to the person who wins the competition. 

27. Christmas Movie Trivia

What was the name of the holiday town in The Nightmare Before Christmas? Discover which coworker is the biggest movie nerd by testing your office’s knowledge of how quickly everyone can guess the movie. Use the questions below to get started:

1. In the 2003 film Elf, what name is given to the human child Santa accidentally carries to the North Pole?
2. In what year did the film Ernest Saves Christmas come out?
3. In what famous mall was Jingle All the Way filmed?
4. In what city did the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street take place? 
5. In the 1988 comedy film Scrooged, what was Bill Murray’s character’s name?
6. Who wrote Nightmare’s music?
7. In the 2003 film Elf, what name is given to the human child Santa accidentally carries to the North Pole?
8. What’s the name of the guardian angel who takes George Bailey on his journey in It’s a Wonderful Life?
9. What is the nickname of the pair of burglars that tries to break into the McCallisters’ home?
10. What is Oogie Boogie in the Nightmare Before Christmas made of?
11. What is the name of the comedian who plays the Grinch?
12. Who plays David, the newly elected Prime Minister in Love Actually?

28.Our favourite: Declare a surprise “snow day” 

Sometimes an impromptu day off is all you need to conquer your employees’ trust! Announce a random “snow day” as a unique holiday incentive and give your workers an unexpected afternoon or day off. The benefit of working remotely is that it enables us to be connected almost constantly which is why your remote employees may need a break from their home offices every now and then. Employees can spend the day running holiday errands to lessen their stress during this busy season or simply get some rest! Remember to allow some flexibility to your employees as some may require this ”snow day” on another occasion! 

Free Zoom Christmas Backgrounds 

Here’s a Christmas Gift from us to you to upgrade your virtual meetings at this time of the year. Christmas backgrounds are perfect for getting everyone in a jolly mood! You can download any of our holiday backgrounds or customise your own in Canva! 

Tips for Hosting a Virtual Holiday Party

We know all about the planning nightmares that come with the holiday season! Making sure that everyone knows about the event or that everyone is having a good time requires a lot of work. But worry not, just pour yourself some hot chocolate and read our list of practical tips!

1. There’s no party without the guests, so make that list. Conduct a survey to confirm the approximate number of people who are likely to attend the online party. Head counts make it easier for you to choose the appropriate communication platforms, but also to shortlist activities and games for the occasion.
2. Select the game/activity that you would like to host for the occasion. You can ask people to vote for their favourite using emojis on your daily communication platform such as Slack.
3. Choose your communication platform. It can be anything from Zoom to Skype. 
4. Decide whether you want to self-host the event or go with a virtual team-building company. 
5. Send virtual invitations using Google Calendar and Emails. Include a trailer/description of the activity (time, equipment, ingredients required) to get your crew excited about the event. You may even add a dress code, e.g. Ugly Sweater or Best Dressed Pet. 
6. If you’re hosting the activity/game, test them with a small group of people to confirm that the instructions are clear and everything is running smoothly. 
7. Send everyone event reminders two weeks in advance so that you may change the headcount if needed. If you’re planning a hosted event, check their cancellation policies to avoid paying any additional fee. 
8. On the day of the event, hop on Zoom and start with some chit-chat for everyone to feel comfortable!
9. Pour yourself some hot mulled wine and enjoy the remote office party!

Conclusion

Christmas is the season of giving and sharing. By simply sending virtual wishes or hosting an online holiday party for your team, you can make them feel special and part of a company that cares about their wellbeing. Virtual office parties are vital for rekindling team spirit and bringing happiness to your team, particularly during the holiday season when they might be far away from family and friends. We hope that our list of activities and games will help you plan a memorable holiday party for your team!

Wishing you a season that’s merry and bright!

FAQS: Ideas for a Virtual Holiday Party at Work

What are some ideas for a virtual holiday office party? 

Virtual office holiday party ideas encompass a variety of activities and games that can be hosted via online platforms for remote offices. From Christmas-themed murder mysteries and Christmas-themed Trivias to a Gingerbread House Decorating Class, there is a large variety of Christmas activities and games that can be hosted to bring your team together during the holiday season. These virtual parties aim to increase team collaboration and spirit as well as boost your employees’ morale and wellbeing at work. These events can be self-hosted Christmas parties or fully hosted ones. Read more about Zoom Christmas party ideas here.

Why are virtual holiday parties important for remote teams?

With many companies working remotely, it’s more important than ever for employees to feel a sense of belonging at work. Many remote workers crave social interactions with their colleagues which is why virtual holiday parties are a must during the holiday season. Virtual games and activities help increase employee engagement and boost morale as they actively participate in something that helps them relax and keeps the Christmas cheer up at work!

How are virtual holiday parties hosted?

Online Christmas or Holiday parties are usually hosted on Zoom or any other video conferencing platform that you are familiar with. Google Meet, Webex, and Skype are some other alternatives for hosting virtual parties. All you have to do is agree on the time of the event and share the meeting link with the participants. 

What Christmas games can you play virtually?

Many Christmas games can be played online Here are some free ideas for your next event: virtual Christmas bingo, name that Christmas song emoji quiz, Christmas charades, Never Have I Ever Christmas Edition, Virtual Christmas Scavenger Hunt, and Christmas Jeopardy. You can easily find free templates on Google or use the ones in the blog article. For something more adventurous and unique, you can host a virtual Christmas-themed murder mystery such as Murder at Skellington Hall or Who Killed Jacob Marley. For a relaxing event, a Candle Making Class or Christmas Cracker Workshop will surely delight your guests! So make sure to consult your team before finalising your choice.

What are some virtual holiday party ideas for large groups?

Virtual holiday-themed trivia, icebreaker games, scavenger hunts, and bingo are some of the games that can be played by a large group of people simultaneously. We recommend splitting larger teams into smaller groups to facilitate interaction and communication. Christmas Cooking Classes and Christmas Hampers are excellent picks for large teams. Hosted parties are usually easier to plan for larger groups as the event manager handles all the preparation and you don’t have to worry about a thing. Adding some prizes can motivate people to show up and increase engagement. 

What is the minimum pricing for a hosted virtual holiday party?

It all depends on the number of people attending the event. Count around £12.5/$17 pp for a Gingerbread Cookies Baking Class and up to £800/$1100 for a Holiday Cooking Workshop hosted by Jamie Oliver’s School of Cookery. Most holiday activities can be hosted for around 75 to 1000 people. You can also check our free holiday ideas above to minimise your expenses. However, it’s always a good idea to opt for a hosted event as a little treat for your remote team! They’ll certainly appreciate the gesture and feel more engaged after such an event!

How many people can attend a virtual holiday party?

As many as 1000 can attend some virtual holiday parties if you work with a team-building event host like Tagvenue Virtual. Some activities might be limited to 32-50 participants as it is easier for the host to interact with fewer participants than a large number of people at the same time. Make sure to check the activity capacity when selecting your activity/game.