Top 7 Stylish Christmas Work Party Ideas to Try in the UK

Christmas is when the office transforms from daily routines into a celebration of camaraderie and shared accomplishments. It's a time to appreciate your teammates who make the workplace merry all year round. As the saying goes, "It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters. It’s who’s around it." So, plan the perfect Christmas party this year to bring your team together. From laughter and games to simply relaxing, a well-planned party is the ideal way to close out the year. The excitement of planning a Christmas party is often met with the dilemma of choosing from a huge list of options. In this guide, we’ll be sharing the top seven Christmas work party ideas for offices in the UK, to help you choose a celebration that stands out, ensuring your team enjoys the holiday spirit in style.
22 September 2024 7 min read
Amazing Christmas Work Party Ideas

7 Best Work Christmas Party Ideas for the Ultimate Celebration

Getting a Christmas party right is key to ending the year on a positive note. Whether you want to keep it traditional or try something a bit more adventurous, the following list of top 7 ideas should give you a head start.

1. Get the Festive Spirit Going with Christmas Karaoke

Karaoke is a great Christmas party idea for work

A Christmas karaoke party is a guaranteed way to inject energy and fun into your celebration. There’s something about holiday tunes that gets everyone in the festive spirit, and karaoke gives everyone a chance to get involved.

To get started, you can hire a karaoke machine or book a venue that offers karaoke services. You can even set up a festive stage in your office, complete with Christmas decorations. Select a playlist of Christmas classics and organise a talent contest for fun awards such as ‘Best Vocal Performance’ or ‘Most Enthusiastic Singer.’

A karaoke party is one of the best Christmas party ideas for work as it creates an atmosphere that brings everyone together in shared laughter and love for music.

2. Embrace the Tackiness of an Ugly Christmas Jumper Contest

An ugly jumper contest is a quirky Christmas work party idea

An ugly Christmas jumper contest is a hilarious and festive way to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Nothing breaks the ice like showing off your most outrageous and over-the-top holiday knitwear. 

To make the contest engaging, you can create different categories such as ‘Most Creative Jumper’ or ‘Tackiest Sweater.’ You could even add a runway moment where participants strut their stuff to show off their holiday fashion disasters.

This is one of the unusual work Christmas party ideas that is cost effective as it only requires the team’s enthusiasm and some quirky wardrobe choices. Whether it’s a sweater featuring Santa riding a unicorn or one covered in Christmas baubles, an ugly jumper contest always leaves a lasting impression.

3. Enjoy the Holiday Thrills at a Murder Mystery Party

A murder mystery party is an immersive idea for a work Christmas party

A murder mystery party is an engaging way to turn your work Christmas celebration into a thrilling and interactive experience. Perfect for teams that love a challenge, this event blends the spirit of the holidays with a fun twist.

You can choose a pre-written Christmas-themed murder mystery kit, or for a more personalised touch, have a custom storyline created that suits your work dynamics. Some common festive themes include scenarios like ‘A Christmas Ball Gone Wrong’ or ‘Who Stole Santa’s Presents?’ 

Throughout the event, your colleagues will mingle, gather information, and try to uncover the murderer before the final reveal. It is one of those ideas for a work Christmas party that is a hit with teams who enjoy problem-solving along with some festive drama.

4. Mix and Sip Your Way to Holiday Cheer with a Cocktail Masterclass

A cocktail masterclass is an interactive work Christmas party idea.

If you are searching for good Christmas party ideas for work to get everyone in the holiday spirit, a festive cocktail-making class is the perfect answer. Led by a professional mixologist, this interactive event allows your team to shake, stir, and sip their way through a selection of festive cocktails.

You have the flexibility to either host it at a bar or bring the experience to your office. Many professional mixologists offer mobile services where they bring all the necessary equipment and ingredients to your party venue. Your team will have the chance to not only taste their own creations but also learn about different spirits and flavour pairings. 

You could even add a competitive twist by challenging teams to come up with their own signature Christmas cocktail, with a prize for the best drink. Whether you want to learn how to make the classic Eggnog or try an adventurous Holiday Moscow Mule, you are sure to end up with some impressive bartending skills.

5. Discover the Best Festive Drinks on a Christmas Pub Crawl

A holiday pub crawl is a good christmas party idea for work

If a cocktail masterclass does not satisfy your holiday cravings, then a holiday pub crawl might just be the perfect solution. It’s a chance to explore local pubs, enjoy festive drinks, and experience the holiday rush as you and your team move from venue to venue.

For an hassle free experience, consider booking a guided Christmas-themed pub crawl. Many UK cities offer festive guided tours, where an expert leads your group through the best pubs.  Each pub on the route can have its own Christmas-themed drinks, décor, and even challenges for participants.

You can add extra fun by encouraging everyone to wear Christmas jumpers or festive costumes, making it a real holiday spectacle. Whether you’re sipping on mulled wine or enjoying a spiced cocktail, this festive outing is an exciting work Christmas party idea.

 6. Celebrate in Style with a Fun Christmas Costume Party

A costume party is a fun-filled idea for a work Christmas party

A Christmas costume party is a playful and creative idea for a work Christmas party.  Instead of the usual office attire, encourage your team to show up in festive costumes, from Santa and his elves to reindeer, snowmen, and even Christmas trees. 

You can take the event further by organising a costume contest and setting up a photo booth where colleagues can take pictures in their festive attire. The addition of prizes will add extra excitement and encourage everyone to participate.

The costumes create a lighthearted atmosphere and combined with great photo opportunities make the party memorable and filled with laughs.

7. Tea, Treats, and Holiday Cheer at a Festive Afternoon Tea

An afternoon tea is an elegant Christmas work party idea

An afternoon tea is a charming and elegant way to celebrate the holiday season with your team.  It’s the perfect combination of relaxation and festivity, offering everyone the chance to enjoy a range of holiday-themed treats, from finger sandwiches to mince pies and Christmas cakes. Accompanied by a selection of teas and even a glass of bubbly for extra cheer, it’s a wonderful way to bring everyone together in a cosy atmosphere.

Many places offer special Christmas-themed afternoon teas, complete with festive decor, themed pastries, and holiday music. You can also hire a private caterer to bring an afternoon tea experience directly to your office or.

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If you want to elevate the experience, consider adding a small gift exchange or a Secret Santa alongside the tea. This is a good Christmas party idea for working with teams that prefer a more laid-back celebration but still want to keep up with the festive spirit.

Make This Year’s Party the Highlight of the Season

No matter which option you choose, these ideas are sure to make your event memorable and cheerful. However, no celebration would be complete without some sort of festive meal. 

While planning the party can be fun, organising food comes with its own challenges, from managing dietary restrictions to coordinating delivery logistics. These complications can easily dampen the festive spirit. To simplify the process and make the event extra special, consider hiring a private chef. With a bespoke menu tailored to your team’s needs, you can enjoy a stress-free celebration. 

Platforms like yhangry offer a perfect solution by connecting you to talented private chefs all over the UK. These chefs can create everything, from traditional Christmas roasts and finger buffets to dietary-specific dishes like vegan and gluten-free options.

A personalised experience will ensure that your team feels valued and well taken care of this holiday season, and remember the celebration long after the last cracker has been pulled.

FAQs

The most popular food served on Christmas is often a roast dinner, with roast turkey being the traditional centrepiece in many countries. Common accompaniments include stuffing, roasted vegetables, and gravy, while some families opt for alternatives like ham or roast beef. For dessert, Christmas pudding or mince pies are popular festive treats.

 

Popular spots for celebrating Christmas, perfect as both work Christmas party ideas in London and family outings, are Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park with its festive markets and Covent Garden, famous for its stunning decorations and performances. Trafalgar Square offers a classic Christmas experience with its towering tree and carol singing, while Kew Gardens transforms into a magical light trail. 

To arrange food for a work Christmas party, you can choose between hiring a catering service, ordering from local restaurants, or arranging for a potluck-style event. For a personalised touch, yhangry offers a tailored service where a private chef can prepare a custom festive menu suited to your team’s preferences.