Ah, the classic office Christmas party. Lukewarm prosecco. Mystery meat in gravy. Awkward chats by the photocopier. And the annual moment of panic when you realise you’ve drawn your manager for Secret Santa and all you’ve got is a novelty mug.
Let’s be honest – the traditional work Christmas do is looking a little… tired.
The way we work has changed. Teams are spread across cities (and time zones), wellbeing is no longer a “nice-to-have,” and not everyone wants to end the year with karaoke and a headache. Your team deserves something more thoughtful, more inclusive, and frankly, more fun.
That’s where this list comes in. We’ve pulled together 37 modern, creative, and meaningful alternatives to the classic office Christmas party – from gingerbread architecture battles and escape rooms, to wellness retreats and gifts that actually mean something.
We believe in celebrating connection instead of blindly following traditions. Whether that’s through curated team experiences, personalised gifting, or simply sending something tangible to say “thanks,” we’re here to help you bring your team together in a way that feels right for your culture.
So if you’re ready to retire the soggy buffet, let’s explore what’s possible.
1. Build Connection With Shared Experiences
If there’s one thing that should come out of a Christmas celebration, it’s that elusive feeling of “We’re actually a team.” And nothing brings people together quite like a bit of lighthearted competition, problem-solving, or team chaos in a controlled environment.
This year, swap small talk and stale canapés for activities that get people moving, laughing, and working together.
- Office Olympics – Think festive-themed relay races, wrapping paper challenges, or even a snowman-building contest (bonus points for paper mache carnage).
- Minute to Win It games – Quick-fire, silly, and surprisingly intense. From After Eight forehead slides to cup stacking, it’s fast-paced fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- Team Building Days – Bring in a facilitator or go DIY with a half-day of games, activities, and structured chaos. Throw in a quiz, add a creative challenge, and wrap up with some snacks and prizes.
- Board Game Tournaments – Ideal for quieter teams or introverts who’d rather roll dice than dance. Add hot drinks and festive bakes, and you’ve got a cozy, competitive vibe.
- Holiday Bake-Off Challenge – Channel your team’s inner Mary Berrys and Paul Hollywoods. Bonus points if someone actually constructs a gingerbread replica of your office.
- Escape Rooms – Nothing says “bonding” like trying to decode clues and escape a fake haunted manor in under 60 minutes.
- Treasure or Scavenger Hunts – Whether it’s around the office or done virtually, these create just the right amount of chaos to bond a team.
No matter the size of your team or how they like to connect, these shared experiences create stories, laughter, and the kind of memories that last much longer than a soggy Yorkshire pudding.
2. Stir the Senses with Food & Drink Experiences
Food and drink are half the reason people show up to any event. But instead of defaulting to a buffet with questionable meatballs, why not make eating and drinking the experience?
These festive food-and-drink-focused alternatives are interactive, inclusive, and loads of fun.
- Private Dining Experiences – Book a cosy space and treat your team to a proper meal with a curated menu. Add a few personal touches (like handwritten place cards) and you’ve got a Christmas party worth dressing up for.
- Holiday Cooking Workshops – Whether you bring in a chef or stream one virtually, this is a brilliant way for teams to bond over bubbling pans and creative chaos. Cook along with festive favourites like pigs in blankets, ginger biscuits, or DIY stuffing. Yes, really.
- Homemade Lunches – For budget-friendly teams, nothing says festive like a table full of homemade (or shop-bought, we won’t judge) goodies. Ask everyone to bring a dish from their culture or family tradition – it’s a great way to share stories along with the snacks.
- Chocolate-Making Sessions – Melt, mould and decorate your way to sweet success. Turn it into a competition for the best-decorated Christmas truffle or most creative chocolate bauble.
- Coffee or Wine Tastings – For a more refined experience, invite a local roaster or sommelier to guide your team through tastings. Pair with snacks and small bites, or turn it into a “guess the origin” challenge to make it interactive.
- Festive Cocktail/Mocktail Making – Peppermint martinis, cranberry mojitos, or alcohol-free winter spritzes – your team will love shaking things up. Hire your very own mixologist or follow a DIY kit sent straight to their doors.
Whether your team is foodie-obsessed or just in it for the free samples, these experiences tap into the joy of doing, tasting and connecting.
3. Create Together: Crafty and Creative Celebrations
Not every team wants to party, some prefer to make something meaningful (or messy) with their hands. If your crew leans more towards creativity than karaoke, a celebration could be just the ticket.
Creative activities offer a relaxed way to bond. They come with the added bonus of everyone taking something home (even if it’s slightly wonky).
Here are some hands-on festive alternatives to the usual party:
- Gingerbread House Decorating – Give teams icing bags, a pile of sweets, and total creative freedom. You’ll be amazed at the architectural ambition (and chaos). For a fun twist, challenge teams to recreate your office building or an iconic local landmark.
- Wreath Making Workshops – Rustic, elegant, or totally over the top – wreaths are a crowd-pleaser. Bring in a local florist or send DIY kits to remote staff for a hybrid-friendly option. Add a competitive edge by voting on the “Most Extra Wreath” at the end.
- Holiday Art Classes – Think festive watercolours, bauble painting, lino printing, or even Christmas card calligraphy. Pair with snacks and drinks for a chill creative session that beats awkward small talk.
- Holiday Poetry Slam – For the wordy ones in the room, host an open mic with a Christmas twist. It can be heartfelt or hilarious- just as long as it rhymes (or doesn’t).
- Christmas Jumper Decorating – Take the ugly jumper theme to a new level with a hands-on customisation station. Provide plain jumpers, tinsel, pompoms, and googly eyes – then let the chaos begin.
These types of celebrations are perfect for smaller teams, hybrid workforces, or anyone who wants to unwind and connect in a more meaningful (and glitter-covered) way.
4. Put Wellbeing at the Heart of the Season
December can be a lot. Q4 stress, year-end deadlines, social overload, cold mornings, dark evenings… and somehow you’re supposed to be full of “Christmas cheer” on top of it all?
If your team is feeling the burnout, why not give them something they actually need: rest and recovery.
Wellbeing-first celebrations are a growing trend and for good reason. They show your team that you care about more than just KPIs and mince pies.
Here are a few feel-good alternatives to the classic party:
- Spa Days – Treat your team to massages, saunas, and slippers. Whether it’s a full day or spa vouchers to use in their own time, it’s a meaningful “thank you” for a year of hard work.
- Office Yoga or Meditation Sessions – Clear the meeting room, roll out some mats, and bring in a teacher for a gentle festive flow or a mindfulness moment. Add candles, blankets, and hot chocolate to finish.
- Wellness Retreats – For teams that want something a little different, think sound baths, silent discos, goat yoga (yes, it’s a thing), or stress-blasting breathwork sessions. Quirky, memorable, and genuinely good for mental health.
- Holiday Fitness Challenges – If your team loves a bit of healthy competition, set up a step challenge, festive 5K, or even a dance-off. Add prizes for effort, team spirit, or most creative activewear.
5. Think Bigger: Immersive, Multi-Sensory Experiences
If your team loves a bit of theatre, mystery or over-the-top festive fun, then this is your moment to shine. These are full-blown experiences that people will still be talking about when summer rolls around.
Ideal for teams who want to feel wowed, get stuck into a storyline, or enjoy something a little more curated than buffet and bingo night, these options are guaranteed to stand out:
- Murder Mystery Events – Swap your Christmas crackers for a whodunnit. You can go all in with actors and props, or keep it low-key with a DIY box set and dramatic colleagues. Bonus points for festive-themed plots (Santa has… vanished?!).
- Five Festive Spaces – Set up different rooms with unique, immersive experiences – think tasting stations, sensory rooms, puzzle challenges, or even a retro games lounge. Each one leads to the next with clues or challenges. This works brilliantly across office meeting rooms or venues with multiple spaces.
- Holiday Music Fest – Whether it’s hiring live performers, doing a team talent show, or organising a lip-sync battle, music brings serious energy to any event. Go big with a stage and lights, or keep it casual and acoustic.
- Photography Outings – For creative teams, plan a festive photo walk – through twinkling city streets, wintery parks, or decorated office buildings. Add a few fun prompts or a scavenger hunt list, and you’ve got a great mix of mindfulness and memory-making.
These immersive options are perfect if you want to shake things up and deliver a Christmas celebration that feels more like an event than an obligation. They’re also incredibly flexible – from high-end venues to in-house DIY setups – and a great way to celebrate the personality of your team.
6. Reinvest the Budget Into a Personalised Gift Experience
Not everyone wants to put on a sparkly outfit and mingle over warm white wine in a windowless function room. In fact, some of your team might actively dread the annual Christmas party.
And that’s okay.
If you’re looking for a more inclusive, flexible, and genuinely appreciated way to celebrate your people, here’s a thought: use the budget to send a beautifully curated gift instead.
Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or just not up for a traditional bash this year, a personalised gift delivered to their door can go further than you might think. It shows appreciation, creates a tangible moment of connection, and lasts longer than a cocktail and canapé combo ever will.
We help businesses turn gifting into something meaningful – not just a branded mug in a cardboard box. From artisan food hampers and wellness kits to mental wellbeing gifts and festive snack boxes, we’ll help you build something that suits your brand, your people, and your budget.
You can even pair your gifts with a virtual moment – like a chocolate tasting, cocktail-making session, or gift unboxing party – for a hybrid-friendly celebration that brings people together without forcing anyone into a sequin-covered social panic.
7. Give Back: Celebrate Through Impact
The holidays are a time of giving but that doesn’t have to mean just giving out drinks tokens. For teams that care about making a difference, this is the perfect opportunity to turn your end-of-year celebration into something meaningful.
Choosing to give back instead of going big can be just as memorable (if not more so), especially for values-led businesses.
Here are some feel-good ways to bring social impact into your Christmas plans:
- Host a Charity Event – Whether it’s a festive quiz night or a Christmas jumper day with a donation pot, or a little creativity goes a long way. You get the buzz of an event and a cause to support.
- Volunteer as a Team – Swap the bar for a soup kitchen or spend a day wrapping gifts for a local toy drive. Volunteering as a group strengthens team bonds and gives something back to your community.
- Run a Toy or Food Drive – Set up donation points in the office or offer drop-off slots for remote teams. Then celebrate your collective efforts with mince pies!
- Create & Donate Experiences – From assembling wellbeing kits for local charities to packing festive food hampers for those in need, getting hands-on as a team can be incredibly rewarding and it turns your Christmas celebration into something with lasting impact.
These alternatives are perfect for companies that want to align their culture with their actions, and they offer a refreshing shift from “What are we doing for us?” to “What can we do for others?”
8. Get Out and Explore: Seasonal Adventures That Spark Joy
Not every Christmas celebration has to be structured, sit-down, or indoors. Sometimes the best way to bring your team together is to get outside, explore something festive, and make memories on the move.
Whether you’re in the mood for something magical, low-pressure, or just plain fun, these seasonal adventures are great for teams who want to ditch the schedule and embrace the spirit of the season:
- Ice Skating Trips – A classic winter activity that’s equal parts chaos and charm. Whether you’re graceful on the ice or gripping the barrier for dear life, it’s guaranteed to spark a few laughs. Top it off with hot chocolates (or mulled wine) and it’s a festive win.
- Visit Local Christmas Markets – Wander through twinkly lights, pick out quirky gifts, sample seasonal snacks, and soak up the festive atmosphere. This works especially well for smaller teams or those wanting a more relaxed celebration without the pressure of formal plans.
- Corporate Christmas Retreats – Fancy going bigger? Book a day (or overnight) retreat where your team can enjoy a mix of seasonal food, light activities, and downtime in a beautiful setting. Add optional extras like firepit drinks, wreath-making, or festive team games to make it truly special.
These ideas are perfect for teams who want to unwind together without the formality of a “party.” They’re flexible, fun, and most importantly they meet your people where they are: ready for connection, without the corporate clichés.
Redefining What Celebration Looks Like
So there you have it – 37 fresh, thoughtful, and genuinely fun alternatives to the classic office Christmas party. Whether your team thrives on creativity, connection, calm, or a little chaos, there’s something here to suit every vibe, budget, and work setup.
Because here’s the thing: celebrating your people doesn’t have to mean a loud, late night in a crowded venue. It can be mindful. Meaningful. Memorable. And most importantly – it can reflect your company’s values and culture.
Rethinking the Office Party? Start with a Better Way to Celebrate
Download our Christmas Gifting Brochure and discover how to replace (or elevate) the office party with thoughtful gifts your team will actually appreciate.
🧑💻 Celebrate Hybrid Teams, Not Just In-Office Ones
Send gifts anywhere in the UK, with personalised notes and scheduling options, ideal for remote or dispersed teams.
💬 Skip the Awkward, Keep the Connection
Swap small talk and soggy buffets for curated gift experiences that genuinely say “thank you” – no venue hire required.
🎄 Make It Festive and Purposeful
Choose from crowd-pleasers under £30, luxe hampers, wellbeing boxes and more – all with charitable donations and sustainable packaging included.
