Fun Christmas Activities For Work: 12 Days Fun Activities

According to a study by Gallup, highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability and 17% higher productivity compared to their disengaged counterparts. Furthermore, a report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reveals that organizations with high employee engagement levels experience 41% less absenteeism and 59% less turnover.

So, why not transform the 12 days of Christmas carol into 12 days of work activities, spreading holiday cheer and building stronger connections with your coworkers?

Christmas Activities For Work

Get ready to deck the halls (or at least your cubicle) with fun! I’ve compiled a treasure trove of ideas for each of the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” catering to different personalities and office dynamics. 

Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree (Kick-Off the Festivities)

Activity: Deck the Halls (or Walls) Decoration Contest

First things first, let’s get the office looking festive! Announce a decoration contest, encouraging teams or individuals to deck out their workspaces with holiday cheer. Provide some basic decorations or let everyone unleash their creative spirit with homemade ornaments, tinsel, and festive lights (within office guidelines, of course!). Hold a vote at the end of the day to crown the most creative and festive cubicle or department.

Benefits: This activity encourages teamwork, fosters a sense of holiday spirit, and allows everyone to personalize their workspace. It’s a low-pressure way to break the ice and get everyone involved in the festivities.

Bonus Tip: Offer small prizes for the winners, like gift cards, festive treats, or a coveted extra day off during the holidays (with approval from management, of course!).

Day 2: Two Turtle Doves (Spread Kindness with Holiday Cards)

Activity: Holiday Card Chain Reaction

Instead of the traditional (and sometimes impersonal) office-wide email, spark some holiday cheer with a unique card exchange. Here’s how it works:

1. Purchase a set of blank holiday cards (or encourage everyone to use homemade cards).
2. Have everyone write a short holiday message or well wish on a card.
3. Fold the cards and create a chain by writing the name of the next recipient on the back of each folded card.
4. Shuffle the chain and ensure everyone receives a different card.
5. On a designated day, encourage everyone to open their cards and display them proudly on their desks or cubicles.

Benefits: This activity promotes kindness and appreciation among colleagues, fostering a sense of connection and community. It’s a low-key way to spread holiday cheer without feeling overwhelmed.

Bonus Tip: Encourage people to personalize their messages or add a small inside joke to make the exchange more meaningful.

Day 3: Three French Hens (Gift a Festive Treat or Coffee on the House)

Activity: Random Acts of Holiday Cheer (Treats & Coffee Edition)

Let’s face it, everyone loves a little pick-me-up during the busy holiday season. Spread some random acts of cheer by offering a sweet or caffeinated surprise to your colleagues!

Option 1: Festive Treats

1. Purchase a variety of delicious holiday cookies, cupcakes, or other festive treats.
2. Anonymously leave a sweet treat and a cheerful message on a colleague’s desk throughout the day.
3. Encourage others to participate in this random act of kindness, creating a chain reaction of holiday cheer.

Option 2: Coffee Break Bonanza

1. Pick a day to treat everyone in the office to coffee or hot cocoa.
2. You can either purchase drinks from a local coffee shop or brew a large batch in the office (if allowed).
3. Offer a variety of toppings and flavors to cater to different preferences.

Benefits: These small gestures show appreciation for your colleagues and brighten their day. It’s a simple way to build goodwill and create a more positive work environment.

Bonus Tip: Include a small note with the treat or coffee, wishing them a happy holiday season.

Day 4: Four Calling Birds (Holiday Trivia Extravaganza)

Activity: The 12 Days of Christmas Trivia Challenge

Test your knowledge and ignite some friendly competition with a festive trivia challenge!

1. Create a trivia quiz based on the “12 Days of Christmas” carol, including questions about the meaning of symbols, historical context, and fun facts.
2. You can organize the trivia in different formats, like multiple-choice questions, team rounds, or a fast-paced game show format.
3. Offer small prizes or bragging rights for the winners.

Benefits: This activity encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and a little bit of holiday history learning. It’s a fun way to break the ice and create a lively atmosphere in the office.

Bonus Tip: Include some open-ended questions that encourage creative interpretation of the lyrics, adding a humorous element to the competition.

Day 5: Five Gold Rings (Get Crafty with Holiday Ornaments)

Activity: DIY Ornament Decorating Party

Unleash your inner artist with a festive ornament decorating party!

1. Provide a variety of plain ornaments (plastic, wood, or ceramic) and decorating supplies like paints, glitter, markers, glue, and ribbons.
2. Set aside some time during lunch or after work for everyone to get creative and personalize their ornaments.
3. Encourage everyone to display their ornaments on a designated holiday tree in the office or take them home as keepsakes.

Benefits: This activity allows for relaxed social interaction and encourages creativity. It’s a great way to bond with colleagues over a shared activity and create lasting holiday memories.

Bonus Tip: Play some festive music to set the mood and offer small snacks and drinks for the decorating session.

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Day 6: Six Geese-a-Laying (Spread Holiday Cheer Beyond the Office)

Activity: Volunteer Together and Give Back to the Community

The holiday season is a time for giving back, and what better way to bond with colleagues than by volunteering together?

1. Partner with a local charity or organization that aligns with your company’s values and interests. Food banks, soup kitchens, and toy drives are popular choices during the holidays.
2. Organize a group volunteer outing where everyone can contribute their time and skills.
3. Spreading holiday cheer to those in need can be a humbling and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Benefits: This activity fosters teamwork, social responsibility, and a sense of purpose beyond work. It’s a great way to connect with colleagues on a deeper level and build a positive company culture.

Bonus Tip: Encourage colleagues to donate any gently used clothing, toys, or non-perishable food items to support the chosen charity.

Day 7: Seven Swans-a-Swimming (Organize a Festive Fitness Challenge)

Activity: The 12 Days of Fitness Challenge

Staying active can be a challenge during the holiday season filled with delicious treats and busy schedules. Here’s how to encourage some healthy competition and motivation:

1. Create a step-tracking challenge using fitness trackers or a dedicated app.
2. Set daily or weekly step goals for the entire team.
3. Offer small prizes or incentives for those who reach their goals or log the most steps.
4. Consider incorporating festive themes into the challenge, like “walking around the Christmas tree” or “swimming with the swans” (virtually, of course!).

Benefits: This activity promotes health and wellness during the holiday season. It’s a low-key way to encourage friendly competition and teamwork, even for those who don’t usually participate in group workouts.

Bonus Tip: Share updates and encourage each other on a designated communication channel to maintain motivation throughout the challenge.

Day 8: Eight Maids-a-Milking (Embrace Different Cultures with a Holiday Potluck)

Activity: The Global Holiday Potluck Extravaganza

The holidays are celebrated in diverse ways around the world. Embrace these differences by organizing a festive potluck lunch or dinner.

1. Encourage everyone to bring a dish that represents their own holiday traditions or a cultural dish they find interesting.
2. Set up a space for everyone to share their dishes and explain their significance to the holidays they celebrate.
3. This potluck is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions, fostering inclusivity and appreciation for diversity.

Benefits: This activity encourages cultural exchange and understanding. It’s a delicious way to break the ice and bond with colleagues over shared food and traditions.

Bonus Tip: Create a festive atmosphere by playing holiday music from around the world and decorating the common area with global holiday symbols.

Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing (Unleash Your Inner Dancer with a Holiday Dance Party)

Activity: The 12 Days of Christmas Dance-Off

Let loose and have some fun with a festive dance party after work!

1. Choose a spacious area in the office or rent a local venue (depending on the size of your group).
2. Create a playlist filled with holiday classics and upbeat dance music.
3. Encourage everyone to come dressed in their most festive attire (think ugly sweaters, Santa hats, or reindeer antlers!).
4. You can either have an open dance floor or organize fun group dances with simple choreography.

Benefits: This activity is a fantastic stress reliever and a great way to bond with colleagues in a relaxed and social setting. It allows for self-expression and encourages everyone to let loose and have some fun.

Bonus Tip: Offer small prizes for the most creative dance moves or the best holiday outfit to add a touch of friendly competition.

Day 10: Ten Lords-a-Leaping (Challenge Your Wits with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt)

Activity: The 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Embrace your inner detective and embark on a festive scavenger hunt around the office (or even outdoors if weather permits!).

1. Create a list of clues related to the “Twelve Days of Christmas” carol, hidden objects around the office, or festive trivia questions.
2. Divide everyone into teams and set them loose to decipher the clues and find the hidden objects.
3. The first team to complete all the tasks or answer all the questions correctly wins a prize.

Benefits: This activity encourages teamwork, problem-solving skills, and a little bit of holiday cheer-themed exploration. It’s a fun way to get everyone moving around and interacting with different colleagues.

Bonus Tip: Get creative with the clues! They can be riddles, wordplay challenges, or even hidden messages related to holiday traditions.

Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping (Spread Holiday Cheer with Caroling or Musical Performances)

Activity: The 12 Days of Christmas Caroling Competition (or Showcase)

Let your voices ring out with a festive caroling competition or musical performance showcase!

Option 1: Caroling Competition

1. Divide everyone into teams or allow individual performances.
2. Choose a selection of classic holiday carols or allow participants to choose their own festive songs.
3. Hold a friendly competition where colleagues vote for the best carolers based on creativity, musicality, or holiday spirit.

Option 2: Musical Performance Showcase

1. Do you have talented musicians in the office? Offer a platform for them to showcase their skills with a holiday-themed performance.
2. This could include instrumental solos, group performances, or even original holiday songs.
3. Encourage everyone to bring snacks and drinks to create a festive and supportive atmosphere.

Benefits: These activities allow colleagues to express their musical talents and share their holiday spirit with others. It’s a fun way to discover hidden talents and create lasting memories.

Bonus Tip: Offer small prizes for the winners of the caroling competition or provide a small thank-you gift for the performers in the showcase.

Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming (Wrap Up the Festivities with a Festive Farewell)

Activity: The 12 Days of Christmas Farewell Party

After 12 days of festive fun, it’s time to wrap up the celebrations with a joyous farewell party!

1. Organize a casual lunch or after-work gathering for everyone to celebrate the end of the 12-day challenge and the holiday season.
2. Offer a festive meal with holiday-themed snacks and drinks.
3. Play some upbeat music and encourage everyone to mingle and reminisce about the fun activities throughout the past twelve days.

Benefits: This final gathering provides a sense of closure and allows colleagues to connect over shared memories and holiday cheer. It’s a positive way to end the festive season and maintain a strong sense of community within the office.

Bonus Tip: Create a festive photo booth with props and backdrops for everyone to capture fun memories of the 12-day celebration. You can even share these photos on a company communication channel to spread the holiday cheer.

12 Days of Christmas Activities for Work 

Spread holiday cheer and boost team spirit with these 12 festive activities:

1. Deck the Halls (or Walls): Decoration contest to unleash creativity.
2. Holiday Card Chain Reaction: Spread kindness with personalized messages.
3. Random Acts of Holiday Cheer: Surprise colleagues with treats or coffee.
4. The 12 Days of Christmas Trivia Challenge: Test knowledge and ignite friendly competition.
5. DIY Ornament Decorating Party: Unleash inner artists and create keepsakes.
6. Volunteer Together: Give back to the community and build teamwork.
7. The 12 Days of Fitness Challenge: Encourage healthy competition with a step-tracking challenge.
8. The Global Holiday Potluck Extravaganza: Celebrate diverse cultures through shared food.
9. The 12 Days of Christmas Dance-Off: Let loose and have fun with a festive dance party.
10. The 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt: Challenge your wits and explore the office festively.
11. Caroling Competition or Musical Showcase: Share musical talents and spread holiday cheer.
12. The 12 Days of Christmas Farewell Party: Wrap up the festivities with a joyful gathering.

Fun Christmas Activities FAQs:

Q: I’m not very social, can I still participate?

Absolutely! Many activities are low-key, like the card chain or decoration contest. Focus on having fun and connecting with colleagues at your own pace.

Q: We have a limited budget, are there any affordable options?

Yes! Activities like potlucks, DIY ornaments, or volunteer outings require minimal spending. Focus on creativity and participation over expensive decorations.

Q: How can I make these activities inclusive?

Offer a variety of activity types, cater to different personality styles, and encourage everyone to participate regardless of experience. The goal is to build connections and celebrate the holidays together!

Conclusion:  Christmas Fun for Your Workplace

By incorporating these 12 days of Christmas activities into your workplace, you can transform the holiday season from potentially awkward to undeniably merry! 

Remember, the key is to create a fun and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable participating. These activities encourage teamwork, build connections, and foster a positive work environment that extends well beyond the holiday season. 

So, embrace the spirit of giving, unleash your inner elf, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer with your amazing colleagues!

Bonus Tip: Feel free to mix and match these activities based on your company culture, time constraints, and budget. The most important aspect is to have fun and create positive memories together!