Office holiday party games

How to pick games for a work crowd

• Keep each game under 15 minutes so people can mingle in between.
• Make all games optional. Some people do not like being on stage.
• Avoid anything physical, personal or that needs drinking.
• Pick a mix: one icebreaker, one team game, one gift game.
• Have prizes that cost little, like a candy bar or a coffee card.

Before you start

Choose a host who is happy to keep time and explain rules in one sentence. Write rules on a sign. If your office has remote staff, pair these games with virtual holiday party games. For a longer plan see office holiday party ideas.

Run the gift exchange in the same event. Draw names in seconds from one link. Create your group, free

Tips for running games at a crowded party

1. Announce the game start time on a sign and by voice.
2. Use teams of four to six, mixing departments.
3. Have a scorekeeper and a visible score board.
4. Give a two-minute warning for each round.
5. Move on if a game is not working. Do not force it.

For gift exchange games with rules, see gift exchange games and white elephant rules.

1. White elephant gift swap

   Guests draw numbers, pick a wrapped gift or steal an opened one. Set a steal limit of two. Takes about 30 to 45 minutes for 15 people.

2. Secret Santa reveal

   Names are drawn ahead. At the party each person gives their gift and the group guesses who had whom before the reveal. Keep it to a budget.

3. Holiday trivia

   Teams answer ten questions about the year at work, the company or general holiday facts. Highest score wins a small prize. Avoid questions about personal lives.

4. Desk decorating contest

   Teams or individuals decorate a desk or door with a set budget of $10. Colleagues vote by placing a sticky note. Judge by creativity, not cost.

5. Holiday movie charades

   Teams act out holiday movie titles without speaking. Choose widely known titles, keep a 60-second timer, and let anyone pass.

6. Gift wrap relay

   Two teams race to wrap a box with paper and tape. Each person wraps one side. The neatest, fastest team wins.

7. Two truths and a holiday

   Each person shares two true and one false holiday memory. The group guesses the false one. Skip anything personal if someone prefers.

8. Snowball toss

   Teams toss soft white pom poms or crumpled paper into a bucket from a line. Most in 60 seconds wins.

9. Bingo

   Make cards with squares like someone says happy holidays or a sweater appears. The first person with a line wins a small prize.

10. Guess the baby photo

    Colleagues bring childhood photos that are posted with numbers. Guests guess who is who. Only use photos people have agreed to share.

11. Name that tune

    Play five seconds of holiday songs and teams buzz in with the title. Keep volume reasonable and avoid songs that are hard to hear.

12. Cookie decorating contest

    Provide plain cookies and icing. Teams have 15 minutes to decorate. Offer gluten-free and nut-free options, and label allergens.