12 Days of Christmas : Ideas Celebrate the Holidays in the Office

Close-up of a decorated Christmas tree in an office, with blurred colleagues in festive attire in the background. — Bring the holiday spirit into your workplace with creative activities, fun challenges, and personalized gifts that make your 12 Days of Christmas celebration one to remember.

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to spread cheer and foster stronger relationships within your team. Using a “12 Days of Christmas” theme, you can engage your employees with daily activities that bring everyone together, make the workplace more fun, and show appreciation for their hard work throughout the year. Here’s a list of 12 festive office ideas that will leave your team excited for the holiday season.

Day 1: Desk Decorating Contest – Christmas Office Ideas to Set the Scene

Kick off the festivities with a desk or cubicle decorating contest! You could encourage your employees to deck out their workspaces with garlands, personalized christmas ornaments, and lights, transforming the office into a winter wonderland. To make it competitive, you could create categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Use of Space” and offer prizes such as branded tumblers, cozy blankets, or tech accessories. Voting for the best-decorated space adds an extra layer of fun and encourages everyone to participate.

Day 2: Hot Cocoa Bar Kit – A Cozy 12 Days of Christmas Activity for Work

Create a cozy atmosphere with a hot cocoa bar kit. Set up a station with marshmallows, whipped cream, and other toppings, letting your team create their perfect cup of cocoa. You could even combine this with a “Wear Your Pajamas to Work” day for added comfort. To make it extra special, gift employees branded mugs they can use for their cocoa and take home as a keepsake. Want to go the extra mile? Pair the hot cocoa bar with some festive cookies for dunking.

Day 3: Flannel Day – A Casual Christmas Office Fun Idea

Let your team show off their favorite flannel outfits! “Flannel Day” is a laid-back way to add some fun to the office. You could even take it further by hosting a lumberjack-themed breakfast with pancakes, bacon, and maple syrup in the breakroom. To keep the theme going, hand out branded flannel shirts or plaid blankets as gifts. The relaxed nature of this event will help create a comfortable and fun atmosphere in the office.

Day 4: Secret Santa Gift Exchange – A Classic 12 Days of Christmas Work Idea

Secret Santa is always a hit and a great way to add surprise and excitement to the holiday season. Set a budget and let everyone draw names for the gift exchange. You could suggest practical gifts like custom notebooks, branded phone chargers, or holiday-themed treats. This simple activity encourages interaction, laughter, and a little mystery, all while keeping the holiday spirit alive.

Day 5: Holiday Trivia Challenge – Christmas Activities for Work Teams

Challenge your team with a fun holiday-themed trivia game. Split everyone into teams and quiz them on holiday movie quotes, traditions, and holiday songs. It’s an engaging way to bring some light competition into the office. You could offer prizes like branded water bottles, custom journals, or holiday gift baskets for the winning team. Not only does this create laughter, but it also helps break up the workday with something lighthearted.

Day 6: Cookie Decorating or Gingerbread House Making – Creative Christmas Office Ideas

Host a cookie or gingerbread house decorating contest! Set up tables with icing, sprinkles, and candy toppings, and let employees compete to create the most festive designs. You could create categories like “Most Creative” or “Most Colorful” and award winners with prizes like branded cookie cutters or custom aprons. This hands-on activity is always a favorite and a delicious way to bond as a team.

Day 7: Charity Drive – Christmas Activities for Work That Give Back

One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the holidays is by giving back. Organize a charity drive in your office where employees can donate toys, clothes, or canned goods to a local charity. You could create a friendly competition between departments to see who collects the most donations, and reward the winners with a catered lunch or custom tote bags. This activity not only fosters team spirit but also helps your company make a positive impact in the community.

Day 8: Ugly Sweater Day – A Fun 12 Days of Christmas Work Idea

Ugly sweaters are a holiday staple! Host an ugly sweater contest where employees show off their most outrageous and festive holiday sweaters. You could make it a competition by having everyone vote on categories like “Ugliest Sweater” or “Most Creative.” Offer fun prizes like branded beanies or holiday gift boxes. Don’t forget to snap a group photo and share it on social media to show off your company culture!

Day 9: Holiday Bingo – Interactive Christmas Office Fun

Bingo is a classic office activity, but you could give it a holiday twist. Create custom bingo christmas cards with holiday-themed squares, like “Wears Holiday Socks” or “Puts Up Their Tree in November.” Employees mark off squares as they learn more about their coworkers, making it both a game and a bonding experience. Offer prizes like branded mugs, planners, or tech gadgets for winners. This easy game brings everyone together and keeps the holiday spirit high.

Day 10: Christmas Sock Exchange – A Unique 12 Days of Christmas Idea

If you’re looking for a unique twist on gift exchanges, you could try a Christmas sock exchange! Have each employee bring a pair of holiday socks stuffed with small treats or trinkets and exchange them with coworkers. It’s a budget-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy, and it leaves each person with a pair of cozy socks and a few holiday goodies to brighten their day.

Day 11: Holiday Photo Booth – Capture the Spirit of Christmas Office Fun

Create lasting memories by setting up a DIY holiday photo booth. You could provide fun props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and festive signs for employees to use. Take group photos and selfies, and post them on social media to show off your office’s holiday cheer. You could also add a competitive element by awarding a prize for the best or funniest photo. This activity is a great way to capture the season’s fun moments.

Day 12: Office Holiday Party – End the 12 Days of Christmas in Style

Wrap up the 12 days of Christmas with an office holiday party! Whether it’s a casual potluck lunch or a formal evening event, it’s the perfect way to reflect on the year and celebrate as a team. You could hand out custom holiday swag bags filled with branded treats, notebooks, or holiday gifts to show your appreciation. The party is a chance to relax, have fun, and end the holiday season on a high note.

Pro Tips to Make the 12 Days Even More Special

1. Capture the Holiday Spirit on Social Media

Make sure to document your 12 Days of Christmas activities! Post pictures of each event on social media to show off your company’s festive spirit. You could create a unique hashtag to track the fun and boost engagement. This helps demonstrate your vibrant company culture to future employees.

2. Plan for Fun Within Budget

You don’t need a big budget to create a memorable holiday season. You could focus on small but impactful touches like branded mugs, snacks, or cozy office accessories. Prioritize meaningful activities like a hot cocoa bar or charity event to make employees feel appreciated without overspending.

3. Pick-a-Stocking Gift Station

Set up a station where employees can pick 3-5 small gifts to fill a stocking. You could offer fun, budget-friendly items like snacks, branded tech gadgets, or personalized drinkware. This DIY approach gives everyone a unique and personalized holiday treat.

4. Quick Holiday Challenges

Host fast-paced, Christmas-themed games to liven up the office. You could try challenges like “Cookie Catch” (where employees try to eat a cookie without using their hands) or “Ornament Relay” (balancing ornaments on a spoon). These quick competitions are an exciting way to inject energy into the workday.

5. Holiday Ornament Swap

An ornament exchange can be a fun, festive finale for your 12 days. Employees bring ornaments and either swap them Secret Santa-style or engage in a playful exchange where they “steal” from others. Adding a competitive twist makes this tradition lighthearted and exciting.

6. Holiday Keepsakes Worth Giving

For gifts that keep on giving, you could consider items like branded wireless earbuds, custom journals, or personalized drinkware. These are practical, thoughtful, and sure to be appreciated well after the holiday season.

Ready to make this holiday season unforgettable at the office? From stocking stuffers to fun giveaways, we’ve got the perfect gifts for your team. Contact us, and let’s create something special together! These 12 Days of Christmas office ideas are perfect for boosting morale, encouraging team bonding, and celebrating the holidays together. Whether you’re decorating desks, hosting a cookie exchange, or organizing a charity drive, you could make this holiday season memorable for everyone.