9 Unmatched Alternatives to a Corporate Christmas Party

When it comes to planning your corporate Christmas party we can all agree that some traditions are best left in the past. Whether it’s the typical work Christmas party or office buffet, there is always room for new ideas to excite your team during the holiday season.

Before you dive into the planning of your festive celebration, decide how your team wish to celebrate and uncover some fantastic alternatives to a corporate Christmas party. If your team are sports enthusiasts then you may want to consider hosting a Christmas-themed team building day, yet if your festive celebration is a chance for your team to relax then think about treating your employees to a spa day

Alternatives to Christmas Parties

  1. Team Building Day
  2. Private Dining Experience 
  3. Book an Escape Room
  4. Host a Charity Event
  5. Organise a Bake Off
  6. Book a Corporate Retreat
  7. Host a Christmas Jumper Day
  8. Treat your Staff to a Spa Day
  9. Explore Christmas Markets

With 36% of employers planning to host a Christmas party this year, it’s crucial to book a Christmas party that your team will love, as it not only fosters a sense of appreciation and camaraderie but also boosts morale, enhancing overall employee satisfaction and engagement during the holiday season.

There are plenty of alternatives to a corporate Christmas party to ensure your festive celebration marks history, but if you are short on a few ideas then read on. 

1. Team Building Day

Hosting a team-building day is a fantastic chance to reward your team with a series of fun, competitive and engaging team-building activities. To make your team building event festive you can always encourage employees to wear Christmas jumpers and include Christmas-themed team-building activities. 

Team building activities are a great way of improving the communication and productivity levels of teams as well as encouraging healthy competition. The skills developed through team-building activities can then be brought back into the office to improve company culture and enhance the performance of teams.

2. Private Dining Experience

If you are looking for an intimate, unique and tailored alternative to a corporate Christmas party then a private dining experience offers exactly this. Private dining is a fantastic way to encourage relationships between teams by offering an intimate experience with a delicious Christmas dinner with bespoke menus that are easily adapted to the schedule and dietary needs of your team. To make your private dining experience Christmas-themed, why not host a Secret Santa?

christmas party alternatives

3. Book an Escape Room

An escape room offers a fantastic alternative Christmas party idea by fostering team bonding and entertainment in an immersive, interactive setting. It encourages employees to collaborate, problem-solve, and communicate effectively under pressure, promoting teamwork and camaraderie. 

Unlike traditional Christmas parties, escape rooms provide a unique and memorable experience that can accommodate diverse preferences, making it an inclusive and engaging choice for celebrating the festive season while creating lasting memories.

christmas party alternatives

4. Host a Charity Event

If your company has a chosen charity in mind, whether it be the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal or The Rainbow Trusts’ Christmas Appeal, there is a vast range of Christmas charities that your team can choose from to raise money for at Christmas. To celebrate your team’s efforts in raising money for a charity of choice you could host a charity event. 

This is a fantastic way of celebrating your team’s achievements and encouraging the friends and family of your team to participate. Many event venues such as Sedgebrook Hall will welcome the chance for you to host your charity event and offer a donation back to your charity. To make it even special you could encourage guests to arrive in a Christmas fancy dress.

christmas party alternatives

5. Organise a Bake Off

A bake-off serves as an excellent Christmas party alternative by combining team-building, creativity, and delicious rewards. It allows employees to come together in a relaxed, festive atmosphere, showcasing their culinary skills and fostering friendly competition. 

Participants collaborate, share tips, and enjoy the fruits of their labour, promoting a sense of camaraderie and bonding. This hands-on and inclusive activity caters to various interests and dietary preferences, ensuring everyone can participate and have fun during the holiday season in a unique and memorable way.

6. Book a Corporate Retreat

If you are looking to encourage peers to build and develop new relationships with one another in a more relaxed, tranquil setting then corporate retreats are the perfect alternative to a corporate Christmas event. 

Corporate retreats are a chance for people to learn more about each other whilst combining team-building activities, spa retreats, dining and other sporting activities. Corporate retreats are the perfect ice breaker if you are looking to introduce new starters or are looking to improve the relationship between different departments. 

7. Host a Christmas Jumper Day

Hosting a Christmas jumper day in the office offers a simple yet effective way to boost holiday spirit and camaraderie among employees. It allows everyone to embrace the festive season in a fun and inclusive manner, showcasing their unique holiday sweaters and accessories. 

It’s cost-effective, easy to organise, and accommodates a busy work schedule, making it a convenient option for team bonding during the Christmas season without the need for elaborate planning or expenses associated with traditional parties.

8. Treat Your Staff to a Spa Day

If you are looking to reward your employees with a relaxing experience that encourages your team to wind down after a year of business success then a spa day is the perfect way to do so. Spa days are a fantastic Christmas party alternative and come with many benefits that help to improve the mental and physical well-being of your employees. 

Spa days release serotonin and dopamine, help to de-stress, improve sleeping patterns and enhance confidence, all of which ensure your team return from the Christmas break feeling fresh and rejuvenated. 

christmas party alternatives

9. Explore Christmas Markets

Exploring the Christmas markets is a delightful alternative to a corporate Christmas party, offering a festive and communal experience that can bring colleagues together in a joyful atmosphere.

In Northampton, you can visit several charming Christmas markets like the Northampton Winter Food Festival and Northampton Christmas Market. These markets provide an array of seasonal treats, unique gifts, and opportunities for team members to stroll, shop, and bond over shared holiday traditions. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season while enjoying the local culture and supporting local businesses, all in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Is It Okay Not To Go To Your Company Christmas Party?

It’s acceptable to skip a company Christmas party if it would impact your mental health or social anxiety. Many employees, particularly those aged 21-24, choose to do so, according to the 2022 Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace Report

Instead, consider discussing alternative Christmas party ideas with your team that cater to their preferences. This allows for a more inclusive and enjoyable celebration that accommodates various comfort levels and ensures everyone can participate in a way that suits them.

How Much Should I Spend On An Office Christmas Party?

The ideal budget for an office Christmas party can vary based on your company’s size and financial situation. However, as a guideline, the average spend typically hovers around £70 per person. 

It’s essential to strike a balance between providing an enjoyable experience for your team and staying within your budgetary constraints. Consider factors like the number of attendees and your overall financial health when determining the right amount to allocate for your office Christmas celebration.

The Final Say

It’s important to know that when planning a Christmas celebration for your team it’s about ensuring your employees receive an experience to remember whilst making the most out of the festivities. Just because you aren’t planning to opt for the traditional work Christmas party, there are plenty of Christmas party alternatives there. 

Make sure to take into account your guest’s interests, availability and what they are looking to achieve out of their corporate celebration to ensure you tick every box from your checklist. To help with more office Christmas party ideas explore a number of different event Christmas party venues and take into account the events that they will be able to accommodate.  

Corporate Event Venue at Sedgebrook Hall

At Sedgebrook Hall we welcome the chance for you to host your corporate Christmas party this year. If you want to plan a traditional work Christmas party then we offer Joiner and Private Christmas parties with Christmas party packages available as well as modern Leisure Facilities, Team Building Activities and Venue Hire for you to host your Charity or Private Dining event. 

To find out more information about what we can offer at Sedgebrook Hall as an alternative to a corporate Christmas party, then please feel free to get in touch and a member of our events team will be happy to assist. 

Go back to other articles

About the Author

Ellie