11+ Holiday Activity Ideas: Regiftmas, Conference Swag Ornaments, Hot Chocolate Station and More!

Although it may seem a little early, several people have already reached out about Holiday activity ideas. With Christmas three weeks away, I wanted to share some simple ways to infuse a little more fun and play into your Holiday Activities. In this crazy time of year, our stress levels are often high, both at work and home, carving out time for people to play and celebrate is extremely important. This week, I am sharing some ways to infuse a little fun, and next week on my "A Welcomed Interruption" (sign up on my website or send me your email) mailing I will be sharing a Free Downloadable Holiday Employee Appreciation Activity to bring a little more reflection and appreciation to your yearend celebration. More info below!

Instead of having people stand around eating cake on little plastic plates, try a mix of activities. 

Rolling Hot Chocolate Station:

Set up a hot chocolate station on a rolling cart. Have cinnamon, marshmallow and whipped cream. Play Christmas carols on your phone as you roll around the office handing out hot chocolate. Do you manage people in the field? Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and supplies along with you for your site visits.

Conference Swag Ornament Decoration Contest:

Does your organizational have “Swag “like stress balls, note pads, pens or something else? Go to a craft store and buy glue, glitter, and other supplies and give a team 30 minutes to transform your organizational swag into a Christmas ornament! 

Crazy Christmas Carol/Story: 

Have people re-write a classic Christmas Carol or Holiday Story around the theme of their team organization.

Working in a call center on Christmas night!

“The phone’s-a-ring, we are listening, Taking calls over Christmas, A painful sight when the phone rings tonight, “Working in a call center on Christmas night!”

Twas the night Before Audit ‘

Twas the night before audit, Still not at my house, I could feel my eyes burning, as I rapidly clicked my mouse!”

Ginger Bread Office:

Instead of having people make a gingerbread house, have them make a model of your office. Give a prize to the winner. (Save time by using graham crackers instead of ginger bread)

Regiftmas:

Have everyone wrap a used object that they don’t want, from home, to give to someone at work! Have each person give a personalized speech before delivering the gift. “Joe, when I saw this I immediately thought of you. I know you love building things and I thought you could really use this.” Joe picks up the heavy wrapped gift to find a concrete block!

Wrap-off!

No beat boxing required in this wrap battle! Buy a bunch of cheap wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape and challenge people to wrap random objects from your office like a chair, someone’s computer monitor, or even a car! Prize for the most creative wrapping job

Christmas Potluck / Bake off

Either invite people to cook an individual dish or have each team submit a dish for the Bake Off. Family Christmas Cookie Recipes, Holiday treats from your home country, or just your favorite dish. Invite people to cook and enjoy great food together!

Ugly Holiday Sweater Competition

Invite people to wear their ugliest holiday sweater to work. Make sure to take pictures. Have remote employees? Invite them to take pictures and send them in to the group.

Give Back:

Collect funds, food, and toys or offer to volunteer as a team at a local organization. (Give people half a day off to volunteer at a local organization.)

International Holiday Party: 

Do you have staff from multiple countries? The STEP Agency in Sacramento is hosting an International holiday party, giving its people an opportunity to share and celebrate all of the various holiday traditions represented by their staff.

The Classic Secret Santa. 

Early in December, put the names of everyone on your team in a hat and have people draw a name. Your job is to surprise the person you choose with small little gifts without getting caught. Tip: Make sure you set a max price range so people don’t feel pressured to spend.

Reindeer Games! 

Extend the fun and instead of doing one activity, make an ongoing team competition between now and the Holiday Break. Put together a team of 5-10 people and assign Reindeer Names to each team: Team Dasher, Team Dancer, Team Vixen!  Organize a bunch of activities from above and award points! Create a fun First Deer or Reindeer of the Month Trophy to go to the winning team!   

Next week on my "A Welcomed Interruption" mailing I will be sharing a simple yet powerful Employee Appreciation Holiday Activity that people will cherish for years to come! This is an activity you can use with a Restaurant Staff of five, or everyone from a Fortune 500 company. Your cost… just a little bit of printing. If your interested sign up for my mailing on my website www.acknowledgmentworks.com or send me your contact info and say "add me".

Happy Holiday!