A Complete Guide to Virtual Holiday Party Ideas

The holiday season is a time for people to come together and celebrate, but what do you do when everyone is spread out in different areas?

Virtual parties are the perfect way to help connect everyone during the holidays without having to worry about travel or accommodations. These unique parties are just as fun as meeting in-person and allow you to spend time with those who matter most. Explore our top picks for virtual holiday party ideas and discover more about how to select which is best for your group.

A Quick Summary of the Most Popular Holiday Party Ideas

• Arts & Crafts Holiday Events: Unlock your team’s creativity with a holiday-themed arts & crafts party. These activities are ideal for promoting team cohesion and bonding while crafting personalized holiday decorations.
• Cooking & Baking Holiday Parties: Roll up your sleeves and dive into a cooking or baking holiday party. You’ll learn to create fun and festive recipes while utilizing teamwork skills in the kitchen. 
• Holiday Escape Rooms: Bring a sense of adventure to your next team party with a holiday-themed escape room. These events find groups working together to solve puzzles and crack the code before the clock runs out. 
• Group Holiday Trivia: Put your holiday knowledge to the test with a trivia party, perfect for both large and small groups. These lively games spark a bit of friendly competition and keep players on their toes through each round.
• Holiday Team Building Games: Who says team building parties can’t be fun and filled with professional development at the same time? Holiday-themed games help create a memorable experience and strengthen team bonds during the end-of-year rush.
• White Elephant Gift Exchange Experience: Add an exciting twist to your holiday party with a white elephant gift exchange. This game is light-hearted and silly, as players choose, steal, or swap gifts.

Most Popular Virtual Holiday Party Ideas

Holiday parties are an underutilized strategy to help teams connect and work on their professional skill development outside of their usual tasks. In fact, research from HBR shows that employee socialization can improve communication by over 50%, a truly significant boost for any organization. Looking at holiday parties specifically, these gatherings create a space where teams can bond in a relaxed environment and go through the shared experience together. Stepping away from the office and into a new setting can break down the walls of formality and allow individuals to socialize in a more open way. 

Scheduling a virtual holiday party for your group can also be a much-needed break from their usual routine and the end-of-year chaos. These parties are particularly beneficial for remote and hybrid teams, where there is less of a chance for members to come together and meet on a more personal level. A Gallup study found that employee isolation can reduce workplace productivity by a surprising 21% and that providing opportunities for meaningful interaction can significantly mitigate this effect. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options for holiday team parties and what you can expect during these events. 

Arts & Crafts Holiday Parties

Group Paint & Sip Party

• About: Spark your team’s creativity with a fun and upbeat paint-and-sip party for this holiday season. You can choose watercolor or acrylic classes and use the time as an opportunity for group bonding.
• Skills Targeted: creative thinking, self-expression, problem-solving
• What You’ll Do: These types of parties are hands-on and give teams a chance to get to know each other over a creative activity like painting. Some courses are BYOB-style, and others have the option to have drinks delivered with their materials kit after registration.

Virtual Holiday Card Workshop

• About: Does your group thrive with hands-on, creative activities? A holiday card workshop might be the perfect fit for your team! They’ll get to relax and create their very own holiday-themed cards during this fun workshop.
• Skills Targeted: attention to detail, creative thinking, team unity
• What You’ll Do: During this party, teams will get to design and paint their very own cards they can send to family and friends for the holidays. These events feature a professional artist host and give everyone a chance to leave with their very own artwork.

Holiday Cooking & Baking Events

Pizza Making Workshop

• About: A homemade pizza workshop is an excellent way to teach your team valuable culinary skills and get them connected outside the office. They’ll get to make dough from scratch before baking their pies.
• Skills Targeted: team coordination, culinary creativity
• What You’ll Do: A professional chef walks each team through the process of rolling dough, choosing toppings, and how to bake the perfect pizza. At the end of the party, each participant will have their very own pizza to enjoy.

Group Pasta Making 

• About: Tackle the art of making pasta from scratch in this type of collaborative virtual workshop. Learn the fundamentals of this delicious hobby from a professionally trained chef! 
• Skills Targeted: attention to detail, collaborative learning
• What You’ll Do: Teams will work together in a virtual environment to create different types of pasta, ranging from stuffed ravioli to gnocchi. They’ll not only gain new culinary skills, but they’ll also get to relax with their fellow colleagues during this laid-back event. 

Gingerbread House Holiday Party

• About: Get your group in a festive mood by hosting a gingerbread house decorating party. Each member will use fun additions like candy and icing to customize their very own holiday houses!
• Skills Targeted: creativity, teamwork, attention to detail
• What You’ll Do: Gingerbread decorating parties are ideal for teams that enjoy a creative project, as they’ll work to craft their houses while listening to a festive playlist. The party ends with each participant getting to show off their new creations.

Mixology and Tasting Parties

Group Mixology Workshop

• About: Inspire your team to mix and shake their favorite cocktails during a mixology workshop. You can choose from a variety of craft cocktails that you’ll learn to make from a professional mixologist.
• Skills Targeted: seasonal creativity, communication skills, team spirit
• What You’ll Do: This party will have your guests creating three different drinks: the Day Dream, 5:00 Somewhere, and Pretty Rad. Each features a different spirit, though mocktail options are available upon request.

Virtual Wine and Cheese Tasting

• About: This tasting is a unique and captivating experience that’s perfect for both large and small groups in any field. The workshop will have teams tasting two types of wine and cheese.
• Skills Targeted: self-expression, observation, recollection
• What You’ll Do: The party opens with an expert host explaining how each variety is created and teaching vocabulary before diving into an elevated conversation on these delicious offerings. 

Holiday Team Building Games

Virtual Holiday Themed-Trivia

• About: A private trivia event is an ideal way to get your team thinking and help everyone come out of their shells in a supportive and fun way. 
• Skills Targeted: fast decision-making, team collaboration, active listening
• What You’ll Do: These parties typically offer four rounds of trivia in categories of different holidays and traditions. Teams get broken up into smaller groups to ensure each member has a chance to participate.

Group Escape Room

• About: Can your team work together to solve the clues and escape their virtual room before time runs out? There are countless escape room themes available to suit any group's needs.
• Skills Targeted: strategic thinking, problem-solving, teamwork
• What You’ll Do: These types of challenges require critical thinking and teamwork to solve each clue. Every member plays a crucial role in the escape process, making this an excellent choice for building stronger teams and connections overall. 

Holiday Game Show

• About: Team building events don’t have to be completely serious when you choose a holiday themed game show style party for your group. These games can range from Family Feud-style challenges to scavenger hunts.
• Skills Targeted: fast thinking, teamwork, active listening
• What You’ll Do: Games are conducted by an energetic host who can keep everyone engaged through each round. The games are designed to make each team utilize their quick thinking skills to beat the clock and be named the winners.

White Elephant Gift Exchange Experience

• About: Experience a fun twist on this classic holiday game by hosting a white elephant gift exchange for your team. This party features a mix of trivia and swapping gifts, which is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
• Skills Targeted: team bonding, collaboration
• What You’ll Do: This event is led by an experienced host who will walk everyone through opening their virtual gifts and completing the fun trivia questions. Then, everyone will decide if they want to steal a gift or unwrap a new one.

What is a Virtual Holiday Party?

A virtual holiday party is an online event where guests can celebrate the joyous season together through a virtual platform. They differ from in-person festivities in that they let participants join in on the fun from any location, allowing friends, family, and colleagues to connect regardless of the distance between them. It’s common for virtual parties to vary in format, but the overall goal for these gatherings is to recreate a festive atmosphere that mirrors the camaraderie of a physical meeting. 

What to Expect During a Virtual Party

During a virtual party, both you and your guests can expect to experience a series of structured activities like crafts or trivia and time for everyone to relax together. These events are typically held via an online platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams and have an itinerary filled with different things to keep everyone engaged. Depending on the type of party, your guests may break into smaller groups for games and a chance to connect on a more intimate level. The live host should also be available to keep the energy up and make sure things run smoothly.

How Much Do Virtual Parties Cost?

It can be difficult to determine the exact cost of a virtual party when these numbers vary due to the type of activities planned and how many people are attending. Prices can also fluctuate depending on whether customization options are utilized and if the activities being hosted require materials kits to be sent for each participant. The best way to approach anticipated party costs is by first setting a clear budget and researching options within that range. Compare and analyze different offerings to see which will be the most enjoyable and cost-effective.

Virtual Vs. In-Person Events: What’s the Difference?

While virtual and in-person events share many of the same experiences, the method of delivery and execution can vary significantly. Virtual parties are held entirely in a live online format and typically find guests meeting over conferencing platforms. This level of accessibility is a major benefit for organizers looking to connect guests in different locations or include those who may have scheduling constraints. These types of events are favored by those whose main concerns involve eliminating travel and logistical issues. Then, there are in-person parties, which require guests to gather at a physical location. In-person options are great for those who enjoy face-to-face interactions and have no issues getting to a central meeting location.

Why Choose a Virtual Holiday Party?

When you compare virtual parties to more traditional offerings, it’s easy to see the benefits of these events. First, it’s much easier to accommodate large groups in a virtual setting than trying to find a physical location with enough space. This inclusivity is ideal for making sure everyone on the guest list can participate in the festivities without external limitations. There’s also a wide range of opportunities to create engaging experiences that may not be possible within a brick-and-mortar location. For example, virtual team building games can integrate digital elements like live polls or virtual reality experiences that can take your party to the next level.

How to Choose the Best Virtual Party for Your Group

The key to success when planning a virtual party is aligning the event with your specific preferences. Before selecting an event, think about what types of activities your guests would enjoy most and what type of interaction they feel most comfortable with. Here are some additional questions you can reflect on to guarantee your party is a hit for everyone who attends.

• What are your goals or aspirations?
• Does your group have any unique interests?
• How many guests will be attending?
• How comfortable are they with interaction and engagement?
• Do you have a strict budget or schedule?
• How much time do you have for the party?

Navigating the Ups and Downs of Virtual Parties

As with any type of gathering, there are ups and downs to navigate during both the planning and execution of virtual parties. These factors can also vary between types of events, but some of the major benefits of virtual parties are the flexibility and accessibility they offer to groups that may be spread across the world in different locations. It’s also common for these live online activities to be customizable, meaning you can tailor and truly personalize the occasion to meet your group’s tastes. 

However, they may come with challenges, like running into technical issues or low engagement from guests. You can overcome these roadblocks by providing information on tech requirements ahead of time and verifying that the provider offers troubleshooting if needed. It may also be helpful to seek hands-on experiences if you know the group may struggle with participation.

Tips for a Memorable Event

• Send invitations early: Try to send invitations at least four weeks before the party to give guests enough time to plan and RSVP.
• Personalize materials: Include a custom message or festive embellishments in invitations for a special touch.
• Don’t forget post-event work: Be sure to send thank-you notes to guests to express your appreciation.
• Gather feedback: Send a brief survey or follow-up email to gauge what worked and what to improve for the future.
• Reward participation: Celebrate active participation during the party with a small token of appreciation or a mention in post-event communications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the Best Way to Make Sure Everyone Feels Included, Regardless of Their Role?

It’s common for people to assume that virtual parties make it difficult for guests to feel included when connecting over a conferencing platform. Thankfully, virtual events like holiday parties are ideal for guests in different locations and have specific steps in place to help guarantee everyone feels like an important part of the gathering. During the party itself, you can choose activities that allow your guests to break out into smaller, more intimate groups where they can have a better chance to connect. Small groups are also beneficial for those who may feel overwhelmed in social settings.

What Kind of Setup Will Participants Need?

One significant advantage of these events is the flexibility offered when it comes to connecting party guests. Most offerings only require a stable internet connection and access to a device with a camera and microphone. Additionally, depending on the type of activity, games like trivia may require guests to be in a quiet space with minimal distractions. Alternatively, activities like cooking classes need participants to be in the kitchen with ingredients that may require prep beforehand. Providing your guests with a clear itinerary and instructions ahead of time will minimize any technical difficulties during the party.

How Can We Maintain the Holiday Spirit in a Virtual Environment?

Most virtual events, whether holiday-related or not, feature a host or facilitator who can help keep the atmosphere festive. These experts have experience with the types of activities at hand and know how to keep everyone engaged when connecting virtually. However, there are still methods you can use to help boost the holiday spirit as an organizer. One of the best ways to do this is by encouraging participation, which can be through methods like sending out festive reminders or organizing a pre-event activity such as a holiday-themed photo contest. 

How Can I Encourage Camera-shy Participants to Get Involved?

Some of your party guests may be camera-shy, but that’s okay! It’s important to let your guests know the party is a no-pressure environment. If they choose not to turn on their cameras and still participate, they won’t miss out on any of the fun. However, you can gently encourage them to get involved by giving them an active role in the activity, whether that be taking leadership during a game or acting as scorekeeper during a trivia round. 

It’s hard not to have expectations for how you want the party to go, but flexibility is the key to making sure everyone has a good time. Try to emphasize to your guests who participation can come in many forms and that just having someone’s presence at the event is valued.