Top 10 Trending Holiday Party Ideas for Remote Companies in 2024
1. Virtual Holiday Film Screening
Host a virtual movie night featuring classic holiday films. You can use streaming services like Netflix Party (now Teleparty) or Amazon Watch Party to sync the film for everyone to watch together. Choose a beloved holiday classic like Home Alone, Elf, or The Grinch, and encourage everyone to wear pajamas or holiday attire. You could even add a themed trivia contest or discussion afterward to keep the interaction going.
2. “Holiday Dreams” Vision Board Workshop
Get your team inspired for the upcoming year by hosting a virtual vision board workshop. Send out supplies like magazines, poster boards, and stickers, or have everyone create digital vision boards using tools like Canva or Pinterest. Encourage employees to reflect on their goals and dreams for the new year, both professionally and personally, and share them with the group.
3. Remote Holiday Baking Competition
Bake-offs are a classic holiday tradition that can easily be adapted for remote teams. Host a virtual baking competition where employees can showcase their holiday baking skills. You can have different categories, such as cookies, cakes, or even savory treats. To make it more interactive, send out a box of ingredients or a festive recipe to all participants and have everyone bake the same thing at the same time. End the event with a virtual tasting and vote on the best presentations.
4. Charity Donation Drive and Volunteering Together
Holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to connect your team than through a shared cause? Organize a company-wide charity donation drive or virtual volunteering event where employees can give back. Many organizations offer virtual volunteer opportunities, such as mentoring youth or participating in online fundraisers. You can also host a friendly competition to see which team can raise the most money or collect the most items for a cause they care about.
5. Virtual Snow Globe Decorating Contest
A creative and unique idea is to have a virtual snow globe decorating contest. Send out kits with supplies to each employee and set a time for everyone to join a video call and create their holiday masterpiece. It’s a lighthearted way to engage everyone’s crafty side, and the results will be both fun and festive. At the end, have the team vote on the most creative, wackiest, or most intricate designs!
6. Virtual “Around the World” Holiday Potluck
In a remote setting, it’s hard to share food in person, but you can still celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions within your team by hosting an “Around the World” virtual potluck. Encourage team members to prepare a dish from their cultural heritage or a favorite holiday recipe and share it virtually. Each person can present their dish, explain its significance, and share the recipe with the rest of the team. You can even create a digital holiday recipe book with everyone’s contributions.
7. Virtual Escape Rooms with a Holiday Twist
Escape rooms have become a hit for team-building activities, and now, companies are taking it a step further with holiday-themed versions. Virtual escape rooms challenge employees to solve puzzles and complete missions together, fostering collaboration and problem-solving. With themes like “Escape the North Pole” or “Save Santa’s Workshop,” employees can get into the holiday spirit while working together to crack the codes.
8. Ugly Sweater Fashion Show
What’s a holiday party without ugly sweaters? Have your team don their ugliest (or most creative!) holiday sweaters and host a virtual fashion show. Add categories like “Most Festive,” “Most Creative,” and “Funniest” for added flair. For remote teams, you can spice things up by incorporating fun backgrounds and effects using virtual meeting software. Award winners with prizes like gift cards or donations to their charity of choice.
9. Virtual Holiday Photo Booth
Set up a virtual photo booth where employees can take festive photos using fun holiday filters, backgrounds, and props. Apps like Snapbar or Photobooth Supply Co. offer virtual photo booth services that are perfect for remote teams. You can compile all the photos into a company holiday album to share after the event.
10. Holiday Bingo or Scavenger Hunt
Add some fun competition to your holiday party with virtual holiday-themed Bingo or a scavenger hunt. For Bingo, create custom cards with holiday images, traditions, or funny team-related moments from the year. For a scavenger hunt, create a list of holiday items (e.g., a candy cane, festive socks, a wrapped gift), and have team members race to find them in their homes. Winners can receive gift cards or donations to their charity of choice.
Conclusion
Remote work might mean more distance, but with the right virtual holiday party ideas, you can still keep the festive spirit alive. These events not only celebrate the season but also help strengthen team connections and show appreciation. So, get creative, spread some holiday cheer, and make this year’s remote party one your team won’t forget.
