A brilliant Christmas team building event should be simple to run, inclusive for mixed abilities, and memorable enough to spark conversation long after the party ends. This guide collects 10 Christmas team-building activities that balance hands‑on creativity with light competition, so your people can relax, connect, and close the year on a high note.
1. Clay ornament workshop
A calm, social make‑along where colleagues hand‑craft stars, bells, or snowflakes from air‑dry clay is an instant crowd‑pleaser. Provide simple shape cutters and stamps, then let small groups personalise pieces with textures and paint once dry. This is one of the most reliable Christmas team-building activities for mixed‑ability groups.
Run it: In person, set up tables with labelled tools and drying trays. Remotely, post kits in advance and run a guided session on a video call.
Order: Home Pottery Kit or Super Bundle for larger teams.
2. Trinket dish challenge
Invite the team to sculpt palm‑sized trinket dishes or mini planters as personal desk accessories. Set a playful theme (“winter sparkle” or “company values”) and award small prizes for originality, finish, and teamwork. Keep catering on a separate table and reiterate that creations are decorative only.
Run it: Time‑box to 60–75 minutes so everyone finishes.
Order: Deluxe Kit for premium tools and extra clay. This idea brings focus and calm to a busy timetable.
3. Paint‑a‑Frame photo station
Combine crafting with a photo memory by decorating frames that hold this year’s group picture. Teams collaborate on colour schemes and motifs, then pose for a celebratory snapshot by the Christmas tree. The result doubles as decor for desks and a reminder of shared successes.
Run it: Provide quick‑dry paints and a neutral backdrop; for remote teams, mail kits and collect photos in a shared album.
Order: Paint-A-Frame kit. It’s a versatile entry on any list of festive team-building activities.
4. Ultimate Christmas quiz
Mix company milestones with winter culture (films, songs, and global traditions) to create a lively, inclusive challenge. Alternate quick-fire and picture rounds to showcase different strengths, and use clear scoring to keep things friendly. Close with a light awards moment and a round of thanks.
Run it: 30–45 minutes, in person or on Zoom with breakout rooms. Provide a printable answer sheet and a scoreboard visible to all. This is a classic among Christmas team-building activities because it scales from ten to hundreds with zero faff.
5. Christmas Bingo (Hybrid‑Friendly)
Bingo delivers instant laughs without putting anyone on the spot. Create festive prompts, such as “wearing a Santa hat”, “mentions the Christmas tree”, “quotes a Christmas classic”, and rotate unique cards across tables or breakout rooms. Offer small spot prizes for a line, four corners, and a full house to keep energy up.
Run it: 15–25 minutes as a stand‑alone game or a quick interlude between other festive team building activities. Use a simple on‑screen caller for hybrid teams so everyone stays in sync.
6. White Elephant gift exchange
For louder laughs and strategic steals, a white elephant exchange turns quirky presents into a game of wits. Set a clear £10–£15 limit and cap the number of steals per gift to keep things moving. Encourage thoughtful, office‑friendly picks so the humour stays kind.
Run it: 25–40 minutes in person or hybrid, with gifts posted in advance for remote colleagues. Publish the rules beforehand to avoid confusion and keep your Christmas team-building event inclusive.
7. Charity treasure hunt
Turn a scavenger hunt into impact by pairing clues with micro‑tasks for a chosen charity: packing hampers, signing cards, or assembling care kits. Small teams divide roles, solve challenges, and earn points for speed and quality. Debrief with a short note on the difference their effort will make.
Run it: 40–60 minutes around the office or venue, with a safe route map and one marshal per area. This adds meaning to Christmas team-building activities while maintaining the festive spirit.
8. Wrap‑That‑Gift relay
Teams race to wrap awkwardly shaped boxes while wearing novelty mittens or using one hand each. It’s quick, photogenic, and full of gentle chaos that breaks the ice between departments. Award points for neatness, teamwork, and creative solutions.
Run it: 10–15 minutes as a high‑energy burst between calmer segments. Keep scissors and tape at separate stations to avoid queues and maintain flow during the festive season.
9. Festive photo scavenger hunt
Give each group a list of shots to capture: “sparkle”, “team high‑five”, “secret detail”, and “moment of kindness”. The hunt nudges people to mingle, notice small wins, and celebrate colleagues. End with a slideshow and a cheerful vote for favourites.
Run it: 25–40 minutes in person or hybrid, using shared folders for uploads. Pair it with the frame‑painting idea for a satisfying creative loop inside your Christmas team-building activities plan.
10. Calm craft corner
Offer a quiet table where colleagues can decompress with clay between louder games. Simple project cards, think: ornaments, trinket dishes, miniature trees, help people get started without pressure. This opt‑in zone is especially appreciated by introverts and new starters.
Run it: Keep it open as a drop‑in alongside other items.
Order: Browse through a few pottery kits and grab a couple of fun and easy ones.
Logistics & quick wins
Decide early whether you’ll run in person, hybrid, or fully remote, and confirm numbers one week ahead. Label tables by activity, publish a one‑page run‑sheet, and assign a friendly host for each zone so guests always know where to go. For materials, provide aprons, table covers, wipes, and drying space; keep craft areas separate from catering.
FAQs
How do I make my office Christmas party fun without chaos?
Use a three‑part structure: one anchor craft, one high‑energy game, and one reflective moment. Cap speeches at sixty seconds, publish simple rules, and assign zone hosts. Clear flow turns Christmas team-building activities into a smooth celebration.
What are the 12 days of Christmas team ideas?
If you’re spreading activities across days, pick bite-sized tasks, like thank‑you wall, ornament make‑along, bingo, quiz, charity moment, photo challenge, gift exchange, calm‑craft corner, karaoke, and a final showcase. Keep scoring visible and the tone friendly.
Ready to plan?
Choose one creative anchor, add two light games, and lock dates today. With fast shipping and easy facilitation, Pott’d makes festive team-building activities straightforward to deliver at scale. Have fun bonding with the team!
