1. Team holiday trivia
Split into teams of 4–6, play 4–6 short rounds (movies, music, traditions around the world, a round about your own company). Teams write answers on one sheet, so nobody has to shout an answer alone.
Office Christmas party games that people actually enjoy
Updated: 2026-10-19
The best office party games share three traits: they work in teams, nobody is forced on stage, and they can be explained in under a minute. Below are ten games that meet all three, sorted from ‘background’ to ‘main event’.
Rule of thumb: one structured highlight (a quiz), one background game (bingo or secret missions) and one short, loud moment (a race) are enough for a whole evening.
The games
2. Emoji Christmas movie quiz
Show a row of emojis (🏠👦😱) and teams guess the film or song. Works on a projector, in a video call or printed on the table. Ten emojis take about ten minutes.
3. Secret missions
Everyone draws a sealed card with a harmless mission (“get three people to say ‘cinnamon’”, “find out someone’s favourite holiday film”). At dessert, people reveal and guess missions. Runs quietly in the background all evening.
4. Party bingo
A bingo card with things that will happen at the party (“someone mentions the snow”, “find a colleague who has never seen Home Alone”). First full line wins. Gives quiet people a reason to start conversations.
5. Dice gift swap (white elephant with dice)
Everyone brings a small wrapped gift (set a budget, e.g. 10 €). Players roll a die in turns: each number triggers an action (take a gift, swap, pass left). When the timer ends, you keep what you hold. Full rules below in our guide.
6. One-hand gift-wrap race
Pairs wrap a box together, each person may only use one hand. Fastest neat parcel wins. Loud, funny, done in five minutes.
7. Holiday this-or-that
Read two options (“mulled wine or hot chocolate?”, “real tree or fake tree?”); people move to a side of the room or vote with emoji in the chat. A perfect 5-minute warm-up.
8. Year-in-review awards
Collect nominations beforehand in light categories (“best rescue of a deadline”, “most helpful in the team chat”). Only positive categories – nobody should be roasted against their will.
9. Paper tree build-off
Each team gets 20 sheets of paper and 1 m of tape and has 10 minutes to build the tallest free-standing Christmas tree. Great for mixing departments.
10. Thank-you card swap
Everyone draws a colleague’s name and writes two specific sentences of thanks for something that happened this year. Cards are handed out (or read anonymously). Quiet, warm and memorable.
Host tips
- Announce games in the invitation so nobody feels ambushed.
- Use teams that mix departments – assign them at the door with coloured stickers.
- Keep each game under 30 minutes; stop while it is still fun.
- Small prizes (chocolate, a day off voucher, a trophy) beat expensive ones.
FAQ
How many games do we need for an office party?
Two to three. One main game such as a quiz (30–45 min), one background game and one short energiser. More than that feels like a program, not a party.
What games work for people who don’t know each other?
Team quizzes and secret missions – both give people a reason to talk without having to perform.