20 Christmas Spirit Week Ideas to Spark Joy in Your Workplace

Can you hear the sleigh bells jingling and smell the scent of fresh pine in the air? Because we sure can! And this means it is time to gear up for another festive season. The season to immerse yourself in everything Christmas! Then why miss out on the festivities in your workplace?

Are you facing the dilemma of coming up with new ideas for Christmas spirit week year after year? We are here to make it easier for you! By coming up with unique ideas and personalizing the old, we are here to curate the best experience for your employees through fun-filled activities designed to add joy, reduce stress, and boost productivity. And all this can be done by organizing a fun-filles Christmas Spirit week to immerse yourself in all things Christmas.

What is Christmas Spirit Week in the Workplace?

When we talk about spirit week, it takes us back to school. It's a taste of nostalgia that we can bring to reminisce our carefree days.

Christmas Spirit Week at work lets us indulge in the same team spirit that we used to have. It is designed to create a joyful environment, improve team dynamics, and foster a sense of community, all while helping employees recharge and gear up for the upcoming year.

This week isn’t just about holiday fun—it’s a unique opportunity to lighten the mood, relieve stress, and enhance collaboration. By blending work with festive activities, such as themed dress-up days or team challenges, Christmas Spirit Week can break the routine and allow employees to connect on a more personal level. Including diverse holiday traditions ensures that everyone feels included, promoting an atmosphere of unity and belonging.

Through shared experiences, creativity, and some lighthearted fun, Christmas Spirit Week helps teams bond and recharge, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

20 Christmas Spirit Week Ideas for Work to Boost Team Morale

Inspired by the festive cheer of "12 Days of Christmas," create a week-long celebration packed with fun and engaging activities. From team challenges to creative contests, these ideas will brighten the workplace, foster collaboration, and bring out the holiday spirit in everyone. Whether it’s a single activity each day or multiple options for employees to enjoy, these suggestions can make your office the merriest place to be this season.

Group Bonding Activities: Building Connections Through Fun

1. Holiday “Escape the Office” Challenge

Turn your office into a festive escape room! Picture a winter wonderland where teams solve riddles, uncover hidden holiday items, and race against the clock to "escape." The best part? It works just as well virtually! You can design an online scavenger hunt or a puzzle-solving game that everyone can join from anywhere. This activity brings out everyone’s competitive spirit, breaks up the work routine, and injects some much-needed fun into the day.

2. Collaborative Holiday Crafting Project

I love the idea of getting crafty as a team. How about creating something meaningful together? Provide supplies for everyone to design ornaments, holiday cards for a local charity, or even a giant office holiday tree. Last year, my team made cards for a children’s hospital, and it was heartwarming to see everyone’s creativity come to life. It’s not just about the end product—it’s about working together and enjoying the process.

3. Christmas Movie or Music Jam

There’s nothing like bonding over a classic holiday movie or belting out Mariah Carey tunes, right? One year, we set up a cozy corner in the office with snacks, bean bags, and holiday hits playing in the background. We even added a trivia game with quotes from the movies—it got hilariously competitive! Trust me, moments like these bring people together in the best way.

4. Charity Gift Drive

This one’s close to my heart. Organize a gift drive for kids or families in need and make it a little fun by adding a competitive twist. Maybe teams compete to see who can donate the most gifts? It’s amazing how these acts of kindness bring everyone together.

The experience of gifting toys to see the faces of the children light up is a beautiful reminder of what the holiday season is all about.

Let’s be real—work doesn’t feel like work when you’re sharing moments like these with your team. Why not give it a go?

Festive Office Activities: Lighthearted Fun for Everyone

5. Festive Office Olympics

Let’s get the holiday spirit moving with some lighthearted competition! Think snowball tosses (with cotton balls, of course), reindeer relay races in the hallway, or cookie-stacking challenges. It’s impossible not to laugh when everyone’s trying to balance cookies on a shaky tower or nail a perfect toss. This is where the fun and a little friendly rivalry come alive!

6. Secret Santa with a Personal Twist

Secret Santa is a classic, but let’s make it even better. This year, we add a heartfelt note to each gift—something that shows a bit of appreciation or shares a compliment. It’s such a small touch, but honestly, the reactions are priceless. Seeing people light up as they read these personal messages is what the holidays are all about.

Or if we want to do something different, we can give you the gift of experience! Imagine the joy it will bring to see your coworker’s faces light up when they get tickets to the movie or show they have been meaning to see. Or a voucher to try any of their interest classes. It will not only show that you care but also that you pay attention to their personal preference, bringing you closer as a team.

7. Gingerbread House Showdown

Here’s where things get delightfully messy and creative! We set up stations with gingerbread house kits or let people go rogue with random ingredients. It’s always fun to see who builds a masterpiece and who, well... ends up with a leaning tower of sugar. Either way, it’s all laughter, and the results are as sweet as the frosting we end up eating straight out of the tube.

8. Santa’s Workshop: DIY Ornament Making

Time to unleash the inner artist! We set up an ornament-making station filled with glitter, paint, and ribbons—basically everything that screams festive. Some people create absolute works of art; others, well, embrace the “abstract” side of crafting. Either way, everyone leaves with a little something to hang on their tree (or hide in a drawer).

9. Office-wide Holiday Talent Show

This is where the real magic happens. Who knew the quietest person in the office could belt out a Mariah Carey hit or that someone could do a one-man reenactment of The Grinch? It’s so much fun to see everyone step out of their comfort zones and cheer each other on. By the end, we’re all laughing and applauding like we’re at a Broadway show.

Each of these activities is about sharing joy, building connections, and creating memories we’ll be talking about long after the decorations come down. So, are you in? Let’s make this holiday season unforgettable!

Fun Dress-Up Days: Expressing Holiday Cheer Through Fashion

10. Pajama Day: Comfort Meets Christmas

Let’s be real—who doesn’t love staying in their PJs all day? Imagine starting the week with everyone lounging around the office (or hopping on Zoom) in their coziest Christmas-themed pajamas. Think reindeer onesies, flannel sets, or fuzzy slippers. It’s an instant icebreaker, and the relaxed vibe is perfect for kicking off the holiday spirit. I swear, every time we do this, it feels like a slumber party, but with coffee and emails.

11. Christmas Movie Character Dress-Up Day

This is where the office really gets creative. From someone rocking Grinch vibes to another channeling Home Alone’s Kevin with aftershave and that scream pose—it’s pure gold. Seeing everyone bring their favorite characters to life is hilarious and kind of nostalgic too. Plus, it’s a great way to spark fun conversations about everyone’s holiday favorites.

12. Holiday “Hat Parade”

Not everyone loves full-on costumes, but hats? That’s an easy win. Whether it’s glittery antlers, an elf hat with jingling bells, or something wildly homemade, this is one of those low-pressure but super-fun activities. And the best part? The little parade we do to show them off—it’s like our own mini catwalk!

13. Ugly Sweater Day (With a Twist!)

This classic gets a fun upgrade with some friendly competition. Last time, we had categories like "Most Creative DIY" and "Best Light-Up Sweater." I’ll never forget the sweater that had an actual train running around a tiny Christmas village on it! The laughs and photo ops make this day a team favorite every year.

14. Candy Cane Dress-Up Day

Red and white stripes everywhere! Whether it’s a sweater, scarf, or socks, the candy cane theme is so simple yet festive. And if someone forgets, we always have extra striped accessories on hand to help them join in. It’s amazing how something as small as matching colors can bring everyone together and create those shared holiday vibes.

These dress-up days aren’t just about the outfits—they’re about the memories and laughter that come with them. Trust me, the photos alone are worth it!

Team Building Activities: Stress-Free Holiday Fun

15. Holiday Recipe Exchange and Potluck

Let’s be real—who doesn't love food during the holidays? How about mixing things up with a holiday recipe exchange followed by a potluck? Everyone shares a recipe before the event, then brings in their dish to share with the team. It’s a great way to connect through food, and you get to try out new dishes, especially ones tied to different cultural or family traditions. Plus, who doesn't love a good holiday feast at work?

16. Festive Mood Wall

Here’s a simple but powerful idea: create a Festive Mood Wall in the office. All you need is a space where people can jot down positive messages on sticky notes—whether it’s a holiday wish, something they’re grateful for, or even a favorite holiday memory. This is one of those activities that just spreads cheer and good vibes throughout the office, and it’s nice to see everyone’s thoughts on what makes this time of year so special.

17. Christmas Karaoke Hour

You know those holiday songs that get stuck in your head? Now’s the time to let loose with a Christmas karaoke session! Whether you’re a confident crooner or a nervous singer, this is all about having fun. We include all the classic Christmas hits, but we love adding a twist—encouraging everyone to make the songs their own. It’s a great way to bond over a shared love of music and laughter, and hey, you might discover some hidden talents.

18. Gift Wrapping Relay Race

Gift wrapping sounds easy until you get that awkwardly shaped present. To make it more fun, set up a Gift Wrapping Relay Race! Teams compete to wrap presents—points for speed, neatness, and creativity. The awkwardly shaped items are always good for a laugh, and it’s the perfect way to get everyone involved in something lighthearted and team-driven. Plus, you get to show off your wrapping skills (or lack thereof!).

These activities are all about bringing people together and having a blast while doing it. It’s a great way to let everyone unwind, share some laughs, and get in the holiday spirit without adding extra stress to the workday. So, let’s make this holiday season a memorable one for the whole team!

Virtual Christmas Spirit Week Ideas for Remote-Friendly Teams

19. Virtual Christmas Trivia Showdown

Why not bring the holiday fun straight to everyone’s screens with a Virtual Christmas Trivia Showdown? You can organize a trivia game over Zoom or any video conferencing platform, with questions about popular holiday movies, songs, traditions, and even quirky Christmas facts. To spice things up, throw in some prizes like gift cards or festive goodies for the winners! It’s a great way for everyone to have some friendly competition and bond over holiday cheer, even if they’re working from different locations.

20. Digital Secret Santa

For remote teams, the holiday season is still a great opportunity to spread some joy with a Digital Secret Santa gift exchange. You can organize it using a Secret Santa generator online and have participants exchange virtual gifts, like e-gift cards or subscription services. This is a fun way to make sure that even if everyone’s working from home, they can still participate in a time-honored tradition. And it’s a great chance to show appreciation for your team, no matter the distance!

These virtual activities are a great way to keep the holiday spirit alive while ensuring everyone feels included and connected, whether they’re in the office or working from home.

Let’s Wrap it up and Let the Holiday Fun Begin!

As we dive into Christmas Spirit Week, I can’t help but think about how much this time means for all of us. It’s a chance to step away from the usual grind and really celebrate what makes our team special. Not only does it lift our spirits, but it also creates a sense of community, helps us bond, and makes the workday a lot more fun. I’ve seen firsthand how it boosts morale and gives everyone something to look forward to—whether it’s the friendly competition of a gingerbread house showdown or just getting to see everyone dressed up in their favorite holiday attire.

If you’re a manager, don’t forget to make it your own! Personalizing these activities based on what your team enjoys is key. Maybe your team thrives on creative dress-up days, or maybe they’re all about team-building challenges that get the competitive juices flowing. Whatever you decide, just remember: Christmas Spirit Week should be about having fun and bringing everyone closer together. So go ahead, get creative, and let the holiday cheer fill the office (or virtual space). Here’s to a week full of joy and connection!

FAQs

What is Christmas spirit week?

Christmas Spirit Week is a week-long celebration at work designed to spread holiday cheer, build team camaraderie, and create a joyful environment. It includes themed activities, dress-up days, and team-building events to balance festive fun with productivity.

How to do 12 days of Christmas at work?

Adapt the "12 Days of Christmas" theme into your office by planning daily activities or surprises. These could range from festive games, gift exchanges, or charity drives to treat days and team challenges, spreading joy and engagement over 12 days. Each day can have a unique theme or activity inspired by the song, making it fun and engaging for employees.

What are some good Christmas spirit week ideas?

In addition to the ideas mentioned in the blog here are some fresh ideas to make the season bright:

• Holiday Desk Decorating Contest
• Christmas Around the World
• Elf on the Shelf Challenge
• Holiday Story Hour
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bar
• Holiday Bingo
• Random Acts of Kindness Week

A dreamer and an idealist in a long-term relationship with food and sleep, Lopamudra is more than thrilled to be part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. When she is not in the vicinity or thinking about food, you can find her curled up in a corner with a good book and music. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com.