25 Best Christmas Virtual Team Building Activities

Once the air gets cold and the snow starts falling, we know the holiday season is upon us. With its rich traditions and the magical tale of Santa Claus, Christmas fills the air with an unmatched festive spirit.

The Christmas season even offers the perfect opportunity to show appreciation, enhance unit morale, and foster a sense of belonging and achievement within your team.

That said, it can be challenging for a remote team to maintain the Christmas spirit and ensure everyone feels connected despite physical distances. Organizing a virtual Christmas party is an effective way to ensure teams can celebrate together.

This might leave you asking, “What virtual team-building activities can we do for Christmas?”

Here are some of the best Christmas team-building activities you can try for your next company holiday party. We will explore innovative and engaging ways to celebrate the season with your team, wherever and whenever you are in the world.

You can even book a demo with us to try out these team building activities yourself, both during and outside of the Christmas season!

1. Virtual Escape Room

Virtual escape rooms are a thrilling alternative to their physical counterparts, offering the same excitement and challenge but in the digital realm. These interactive experiences are perfect for keeping the festive spirit alive, even during a virtual Christmas party.

Providing your team with a virtual escape room experience can significantly boost your team’s dynamics and enhance everyone’s problem-solving skills. The room encourages collaboration while you navigate through intriguing puzzles.

Choosing a Christmas-themed scenario for your escape room can even add Yuletide magic to your virtual game. Challenge your team to solve puzzles related to Christmas traditions or play in a holiday version of a classic escape room story.

This setup can create an immersive adventure that everyone can enjoy together, even when miles apart.

You can consider the following practices for a successful holiday virtual escape room experience.

• Select the right platform: Make sure your virtual game supports video calls and can handle the number of participants you invite.
• Set clear objectives: Explain the goals and rules of the game to all participants beforehand.
• Foster teamwork: Encourage every team member to contribute and communicate effectively.
• Keep track of time: Set a timer to add a sense of urgency and excitement.

NOTE: At Escapely, we can eliminate the hassle of organizing these events. We will arrange all your virtual escape room needs, ensuring all you have to do is play and have fun together.

Incorporating virtual escape rooms into your holiday party is a great way to work on team skills while ensuring everyone has a fun and memorable experience. It is an innovative approach to keep the Christmas spirit and holiday cheer alive and well.

2. WFH Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This activity and its goals are perfectly adaptable to a virtual setting, making it an excellent activity for virtual holiday parties and end-of-the-year team building.

You can foster excitement by engaging remote employees with a scavenger hunt that can be done in their own homes. This activity brings everyone together for some festive fun, even if they are physically apart.

To organize a virtual holiday scavenger hunt, create challenging lists of items to find, divide participants into teams, set clear rules, and decide on prizes. Then, watch as teams race against the clock to find hidden treasures around their homes.

You can have your colleagues look for the following Christmas-related items in their own homes.

• Holiday Decorations: Ornaments, Christmas lights, stockings.
• Winter Essentials: Knitted sweaters, hot cocoa mugs, snow globes.
• Work-From-Home Gadgets: Headsets, ergonomic mouse pads, planners with holiday themes.
• Festive Foods: Gingerbread cookies, candy canes, eggnog cartons.

The player or team that finds the most items on the list can receive a prize. This adds an extra layer of motivation for everyone to be competitive and fully engage in the game, enhancing the fun and camaraderie of your virtual holiday party.

3. Holiday Trivia Night

Trivia nights are an excellent way to exchange knowledge and have fun as a group, even in a virtual setting.

They make for engaging affairs even when adapted for virtual Christmas parties, allowing everyone to share the joy and excitement of holiday-themed trivia.

Hosting a virtual trivia night with Christmas-themed questions is a fantastic way to celebrate your holidays with your colleagues. It provides a lively and educational twist to your holiday party, engaging participants with questions about Christmas.

You can consider the following trivia questions for your next holiday virtual party.

• Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? Germany.
• What is the best-selling Christmas song ever? “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby.
• In which modern-day country was Saint Nicholas born? Turkey.
• What Christmas-themed ballet premiered in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892? The Nutcracker.
• What movie featuring a Christmas story is played in marathon fashion on TNT or TBS every Christmas? “A Christmas Story.”

For teams with many members, you can split everyone into even smaller groups. This makes the game more manageable and fosters communication and teamwork as they discuss their answers.

Holiday Trivia Night is one of the best virtual holiday party games, sparking lively discussions, friendly competition, and the joy of learning new facts about the season for giving.

4. Christmas-Themed Icebreaker Questions

Icebreakers are a classic way to initiate conversation, whether it is in a physical or remote setting. They are an excellent starting point for any gathering, helping the participants ease into a more comfortable and open dialogue.

They serve as a practical approach to learning more about each team member and uncovering their interests, personalities, and unknown facts about one another.

Here are a few examples of classic Christmas-themed icebreaker questions you can ask during your holiday party.

• If you could be one of Santa’s reindeer, which would you be and why?
• How does your family celebrate Christmas?
• If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would it be?
• What are your favorite Christmas carols?
• What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Conducting these icebreaker sessions through a video call or in the group chat can get people to share stories and experiences related to the holiday season. It encourages interaction and builds a sense of community among remote team members.

For larger groups, try splitting into breakout rooms to allow for more intimate sharing sessions. Breakout rooms can provide a smaller, more comfortable setting for team members to open up and share their Christmas stories and traditions in depth.

5. Online Carol Singing

Caroling is a beloved Christmas tradition, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit through music and shared joy. It is a practice that brings people together, allowing them to usher in the season with warmth and camaraderie.

You can arrange a virtual carol singing session to adapt this tradition for your remote team. Utilizing video calls, team members from around the globe can sing along, maintaining a sense of unity and festive cheer despite physical distances.

Encourage your team to sing the classics or go through your holiday playlist, having fun through music during the holidays.

Assign different team members or departments to lead the singing of holiday songs. This encourages participation and allows everyone to contribute to the celebration by leading a song or joining the chorus.

This activity not only uplifts spirits but also strengthens bonds between team members, making it one of the favorite holiday traditions.

6. Online Holiday Games

Many online multiplayer games can be enjoyed with a remote team, and plenty of options are meant to suit any virtual holiday party.

NOTE: These games provide a fun and interactive way to engage team members, fostering teamwork and laughter.

Playing interactive online games with Christmas themes can bring an extra layer of holiday cheer to your virtual celebration. Whether it is holiday-themed trivia, puzzle games, or adventure quests, these games can make your virtual Christmas party memorable.

Partner with Escapely to learn more fun ideas and games to give life to your virtual holiday party. Our expertise in organizing online games can help tailor the gaming experience to your team’s preferences, ensuring everyone has a great time.

Let us arrange the virtual Christmas games so all your team members can relax and fully immerse themselves in the celebration. This will ensure that your virtual holiday party is enjoyable for all participants.

7. Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a common practice for holiday celebrations, particularly appreciated by the team’s gift-givers. It brings an element of surprise and joy to Christmas parties, making it a beloved tradition in many workplaces.

You can adapt this tradition for remote teams by organizing a virtual gift exchange between remote employees and having them play Santa Claus for each other. This allows everyone to participate in the spirit of giving, regardless of their physical location.

Follow these steps to successfully recreate the Secret Santa experience for your holiday party.

• Choose a platform: Decide on possible video conferencing platforms for the gift exchange event.
• Set a budget: Agree on a budget for the gifts to ensure fairness.
• Draw names: Use an online Secret Santa generator to assign gift-givers to recipients randomly.
• Mail gifts in advance: Ensure Christmas gifts are mailed in time for the virtual party.
• Reveal and unwrap: During the event, have each team member open their gifts on camera, guessing their Secret Santa if desired. Participants can wear Santa hats to make the event more fun.

Enjoy the spirit of giving, even if you are miles apart, and bring holiday cheer to your virtual holiday party. This allows everyone to feel the warmth and camaraderie of the team, enhancing the overall holiday celebration.

8. Gift Boxes

A great way to make employees feel appreciated is by sending them a token of gratitude. This gesture is meaningful during the festive season, reinforcing the team’s sense of community and appreciation.

Sending pre-made holiday gift boxes or online gift cards to employees is a thoughtful way to spread holiday cheer. These gifts can even be customized to reflect the company culture or their interests so they feel genuinely valued.

Ensure these gifts are sent beforehand so everyone can open them together during your virtual holiday party. This shared experience can significantly boost morale and strengthen remote team members’ connections.

Closing the year out with a little gift box to bring joy to your employees is a heartfelt way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. It sets a positive tone for the upcoming year, leaving everyone feeling valued and looking forward to future successes.

9. Virtual Holiday Dinner

One of the typical holiday party ideas involves sharing a dinner, symbolizing togetherness and celebration. This tradition can still be arranged online to keep the holiday spirit alive among remote teams.

Arrange a virtual Christmas dinner for remote teams to come together and share a meal over a video call. This is a unique way to maintain traditions and create new memories, even when members are physically apart.

Here are a few tips to conduct your online holiday party and dinner.

• Schedule in advance: Pick a date and time that works for all team members across different time zones.
• Send invitations: Create and send out digital invitations with the video call link and any other necessary details.
• Share recipes or food delivery options: Encourage everyone to prepare a specific dish or order from a recommended restaurant to enjoy the same thing together during the call.
• Dress code: Suggest a dress code or theme for the dinner to make the event more festive.
• Play games: Engage your team by conducting virtual holiday games where they can win small prizes.

Gathering together for a meal is a heartfelt way to celebrate the holidays, no matter where you are from.

It allows each virtual team member to feel connected and valued and is a warm reminder that distance does not diminish the strength of team bonds during the holidays.

10. Online Hot Chocolate Break

The warmth of hot chocolate has a unique way of replicating the feeling of sitting by the fire after visiting a Christmas market or spending a day out in the cold. This experience can also bring a cozy atmosphere to any online gathering.

Gather team members for a simple yet meaningful activity that can be a heartwarming interlude to your virtual Christmas parties, inviting everyone to share a moment of relaxation and warmth.

This time serves as an opportunity to bridge the distance with warmth and camaraderie. It is about recreating the joy of shared experiences, even in a virtual setting.

You can encourage participants to dress in comfy sweaters or holiday attire while socializing over cups of hot chocolate. Dressing up adds a fun, festive touch to the break, making it more than just a regular old meeting.

Pairing the hot chocolate break with other virtual Christmas party ideas, like a virtual holiday book club with plots surrounding the holidays, can further enrich the experience, combining the pleasure of storytelling with the comfort of hot chocolate.

11. Virtual Wine or Beer Tasting

Alcohol often plays a role in virtual events, serving as a means for people to unwind and enjoy a happy hour, even one done online. You can conduct a holiday version through a carefully planned wine or beer-tasting session.

This event allows team members to explore new flavors and share their impressions, fostering a sense of community.

Consider the following to facilitate this event smoothly.

• Offer suggestions for ordering: Provide a list of wines or beers for participants to order, ensuring availability in each region.
• Set up instructions: Guide participants on setting up their tasting station at home, including the proper glasses and preparation tips.
• Tasting guide: Send a brief guide on the basics of wine or beer tasting to enhance participants’ understanding and enjoyment.
• Add non-alcoholic options for colleagues who do not drink: This inclusivity ensures that everyone feels welcome and can fully participate in the festivities, regardless of their drinking preferences.

12. Virtual Cooking/Mixology Masterclass

Conduct a fun virtual holiday team-building activity that doubles as a learning experience, such as a cooking or mixology masterclass, to engage the team in a new and exciting way.

Arranging a masterclass can be a unique opportunity to learn new recipes or cocktail-making skills guided by a professional chef or mixologist.

Here are a few tips for a successful masterclass.

• Find the right host: Search for a chef or mixologist who offers virtual classes and has good reviews or recommendations.
• Coordinate ingredients: Send participants a list of ingredients and equipment needed for the class in advance. Also, consider sending ingredient kits to their homes if the budget allows.
• Choose a platform: Use a reliable video conferencing platform, like Google Meet, that supports large groups and allows for interactive participation.

This activity is a great way to connect with people and cultures through food, offering a shared learning experience to enhance team cohesion and provide a memorable highlight to your virtual holiday event.

13. Christmas Movie Night

Countless holiday movies are perfect for getting into the Christmas mood. From classic films that have warmed hearts for generations to modern tales that offer a new twist on holiday themes, there is something for everyone.

Planning a virtual Christmas movie night to have your remote team share in the joy and nostalgia of holiday movies, creating a shared experience that is both fun and festive.

Use synchronized video-watching platforms for instant access to your chosen Christmas movie and allow viewers to watch together in real-time, making it feel like everyone is in the same room.

Enhance the movie night by encouraging team members to prepare snacks. Enjoying holiday movies with festive treats can make the experience more enjoyable and memorable.

14. Name That Tune

Test your team’s music knowledge with a “Name That Tune” game focusing on a Christmas playlist. This activity incorporates holiday classics and new hits into your virtual holiday gathering, challenging team members to identify songs after hearing just a few notes.

Offer clues or play short snippets of songs while the participants guess. The range offered, and the different ways of playing make it an inclusive game that everyone can participate in and enjoy.

Foster friendly competition and enjoy the festive atmosphere with synchronized music to add a lively and engaging element to your virtual holiday party.

This fantastic team-building activity encourages listening, quick thinking, and laughter, enhancing team cohesion and holiday cheer.

15. Karaoke Night

Organize a karaoke night where team members can sing their favorite songs, including holiday and Christmas carols.

Create a private room on a karaoke platform and add a selection of karaoke tracks that cater to all musical tastes. This setup ensures that everyone finds something they enjoy singing, from the latest hits to timeless holiday classics.

Karaoke night is not just about hitting the right notes. Encourage participation from everyone for a fun-filled evening of singing and laughter. This will also build team spirit and encouragement and allow all to enjoy a shared virtual holiday party experience.

This event is a delightful way to share in the fun of singing together, even if it is through a screen.

16. Live Stream Concert

Host a live online concert featuring professional musicians, catering to your team’s tastes and budget. This innovative approach to a virtual Christmas party can transform your typical online gathering into an unforgettable musical experience.

After all, the right music can enhance the holiday atmosphere, making everyone feel more connected through the universal language of music.

Whether you get traditional carolers or contemporary bands, choose acts to entertain and engage your team during the virtual event.

Organizing a live-stream concert is another excellent way to spend the holidays together through music. It allows the team to enjoy a shared experience, bringing a sense of togetherness and celebration to the holiday season.

17. Virtual Dance Party

Throw a virtual dance party with a professional DJ or a curated Christmas playlist. This lets your team enjoy a wide range of music, from holiday classics to contemporary hits, all from the comfort of their homes.

This is a fun and energetic way to celebrate the holidays, allowing the team to let loose after a year’s work. You can bring everyone together to dance online, fostering a festive atmosphere and team spirit.

Pairing it a happy hour even creates the feeling of going out with teammates to celebrate the holidays together. It combines the excitement of a night out for an unforgettable evening of fun and festivities, regardless of where you are.

18. Virtual Craft Party

Organize a virtual craft party for creative colleagues, where individuals can showcase their creativity, share tips, and bond over crafting projects, all while preparing for the holiday season together.

Here are a few project ideas and material lists you may want to consider for your virtual holiday party ideas.

• Handmade Christmas Cards: Cardstock, markers, glitter.
• Custom Christmas Decorations and Ornaments: Clear ornaments, paint, ribbons.
• DIY Wreath Making: Wreath frame, artificial greenery, decorative accents.
• Personalized Gift Wrapping Paper: Brown paper, stamps, ink pads.
• Christmas Tree Decorations: Beads, threads, needle.

These virtual Christmas party ideas help bring out people’s creativity and share the relaxing art of crafting items you can place around the house for the holidays.

19. Charity Fundraiser

Extend the spirit of giving to those in need by organizing a virtual charity fundraiser during the holiday season. This reflects the essence of holiday generosity, allowing the team to contribute positively to the broader community.

You can arrange a charity event to fundraise for a non-profit organization chosen by the team.

This could be a virtual auction, a pledge drive, or any other creative fundraising activity that can be conducted online that aligns with your team’s values and interests.

Encouraging participation and donations from colleagues not only supports a worthy cause but also fosters a sense of unity and purpose within the team. These kinds of holiday ideas celebrate the season by making a difference in the lives of others.

20. Holiday Buzzword

Add excitement to your virtual party with a holiday buzzword game. This game can encourage everyone to stay engaged and attentive throughout the celebration.

To play, select a common holiday word or phrase likely to be mentioned frequently during the virtual party.

Inform participants of the buzzword at the beginning of the event and encourage them to listen to it. The game promotes laughter and camaraderie as team members catch each other saying the buzzword.

Penalize participants with a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, depending on preferences) whenever the buzzword is mentioned. This rule adds a playful challenge that creates a lively and festive atmosphere, encouraging participant interaction.

21. Virtual Photo Booth

Pictures are a great way to remember your virtual holiday parties, capturing the joy and unique moments shared among team members. They are lasting remembrances of good times and unique connections fostered during these online gatherings.

Create a virtual photo booth to capture holiday memories. You can set a dedicated time during your virtual holiday party where attendees can take turns using their webcams to snap festive photos.

Suggest using platforms that offer fun filters, stickers, and frames to enhance the photo booth experience. These digital tools can add a creative and personalized touch to each photo.

22. Cookie Decorating

Christmas cookies become even sweeter if you are involved in making them.

Organize a virtual cookie decorating session, allowing participants to showcase their creativity while engaging in a delightful and tasty craft. Provide recipes and decoration ideas beforehand to help them prepare for this sweet endeavor.

You can also have a friendly competition for the best-decorated cookie, such as gingerbread games. This can encourage participants to put their best efforts into their cookie designs.

23. Ugly Sweater Contest

Some of the best holiday team-building activities can be as simple as dressing up. An ugly sweater contest adds humor and light-hearted competition to the holiday season.

Encourage participants to wear their most festive and ugly Christmas sweaters while engaging in fun virtual activities during your holiday party.

This adds a visual element of fun and helps everyone feel more connected and involved in the celebration despite the distance.

You can also host a virtual fashion show, allowing everyone to showcase their creative (or questionable) fashion choices and laugh together.

24. Online Talent Show

Give everyone the chance to shine by organizing an online talent show. This unique addition to your virtual Christmas party allows individuals to reveal hidden talents or hobbies that they might not have the opportunity to share in a traditional office setting.

Allow them to showcase their skills, whether singing a Christmas carol, performing a magic trick or sharing a dance routine.

It can serve as a platform to transform your virtual gathering into a vibrant display of diverse talents. It is a fantastic way to celebrate individuality and foster a supportive community spirit within your virtual holiday party.

By encouraging participation and creativity, the talent show is not just an event to watch but a participatory experience that builds camaraderie and appreciation among colleagues.

25. Christmas-Themed Contests

Virtual holiday party ideas that can get everyone competitive add an extra layer of excitement to the event. These contests encourage participation and creativity during a virtual holiday party.

Organize contests related to home decoration, baking, or costume ideas centered on Christmas. These activities range from the most elaborately decorated Christmas tree to the best homemade gingerbread houses.

Give prizes to winners to incentivize participation and reward creativity. Prizes could be anything from online gift cards to additional time off, making the contests fun and rewarding for those who put in the effort to stand out.

Key Takeaways on Virtual Christmas Team Building Activities

Hosting a virtual Christmas party rewards employees for their hard work, boosts morale, and fosters a positive workplace culture. It is often more meaningful than a simple “Merry Christmas,” bringing people closer to each other.

Try these holiday party ideas to end the year on a high note and set the stage for a successful year ahead.

These can make your virtual Christmas party fun while maintaining team spirit and engagement, even when working remotely.