Top 5 Ideas for Engaging Activities During Your Virtual Holiday Party

As the holiday season approaches, many companies are preparing to host virtual holiday parties to bring their teams together, despite the physical distance. While the concept of a virtual holiday party might seem challenging, with the right activities, it can be just as enjoyable and memorable as an in-person celebration. Here are five engaging ideas to make your virtual holiday gathering a resounding success:

1. Virtual Secret Santa

A classic holiday tradition, Secret Santa can easily be adapted for the virtual world. Here’s how to make it work:

• Use an online platform like Elfster or DrawNames to organize the gift exchange
• Set a reasonable budget that works for all participants
• Encourage participants to mail their gifts in advance
• During the party, take turns opening gifts on camera and guessing who the gift-giver might be

This activity not only builds excitement leading up to the party but also provides a fun, interactive element during the event itself. It’s a great way to maintain the spirit of gift-giving, even in a remote setting.

2. Holiday-Themed Virtual Escape Room

Escape rooms have gained popularity in recent years, and now there are numerous virtual options available. Consider these ideas:

• Choose a holiday-themed escape room that fits your team’s interests
• Divide participants into small groups to encourage teamwork
• Set a time limit to add an element of friendly competition
• Offer a prize to the team that escapes first or solves the most puzzles

This activity promotes problem-solving, communication, and collaboration, all while providing an exciting and immersive experience for your team.

3. Festive Cocktail (or Mocktail) Making Class

Bring some holiday cheer to your virtual party with a guided mixology session:

• Hire a professional mixologist or designate a team member to lead the class
• Send ingredients and tools to participants in advance, or provide a shopping list
• Include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to ensure everyone can participate
• Encourage participants to share their creations and vote on the most visually appealing drink

This activity not only teaches a new skill but also provides a festive, hands-on experience that participants can enjoy long after the party ends.

4. Virtual Holiday Trivia

Test your team’s knowledge of holiday traditions, movies, music, and more with a themed trivia game:

• Use a platform like Kahoot! or Quizlet Live to host the game
• Create rounds with varying difficulty levels to keep everyone engaged
• Include questions about company history or inside jokes for a personalized touch
• Offer small prizes for the top performers to increase excitement

Trivia games are an excellent way to foster friendly competition and create shared experiences among team members, regardless of their location.

5. Collaborative Holiday Playlist Creation

Music is an essential part of any holiday celebration. Make it a group effort with this activity:

• Create a shared playlist on a platform like Spotify or Apple Music
• Ask each team member to add their favorite holiday songs
• During the party, play the playlist and have participants guess who added each song
• Share stories or memories associated with the chosen songs

This activity not only provides a festive soundtrack for your virtual holiday party but also offers insights into your colleagues’ tastes and traditions, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.

Bringing It All Together

When planning your virtual holiday party, consider combining several of these activities to create a well-rounded and engaging event. For example, you could start with the collaborative playlist creation, move on to the cocktail-making class, then dive into the virtual escape room, followed by holiday trivia, and end with the Secret Santa gift exchange.

Remember to factor in breaks and casual conversation time, just as you would in an in-person event. Encourage participants to use festive virtual backgrounds or wear holiday-themed attire to enhance the celebratory atmosphere.

While a virtual holiday party may seem different from traditional in-person gatherings, it offers unique opportunities for creativity and inclusion. By incorporating these engaging activities, you can ensure that your team feels connected, appreciated, and in the holiday spirit, regardless of their physical location.

With thoughtful planning and execution, your virtual holiday party can be a memorable event that strengthens team bonds and closes out the year on a positive note. So embrace the digital format, get creative with your activities, and prepare to host a celebration that your team will be talking about well into the new year.