Office parties for Christmas 2020 are going to be 'different'... many are are going to be virtual Xmas parties. So what ideas are there for doing something fun for the team but which is digital and remote?

1. Outsource to virtual party pros

If you don't want to do the organising yourself there are party organisers who can design experiences for you and your team - whether in person and distanced or fully online. For example Insync Events.

2. Team games

Jackbox Games Party Pack

3. Online improv comedy workshop

Why not get the team to do an online improv comedy workshop... what could possibly go wrong? The Free Association have "hand picked the most hilarious exercises from our comedy school and will use them to smother you in joyous festive fun with 2hrs of improvised comedy, as a team, using video conferencing."

4. Online murder & mystery games

Plymouth Point - "An immersive theatrical thriller. The at-home experience starts on Zoom, for you and up to five others. Be transported into a world of conspiracy, cults and corporate deceit. Ivy Isklander has gone missing. The residents of Plymouth Point are concerned. Gather your team, and get your ticket to join the Residents Watch emergency meeting."

CSI: Grounded - Online Escape Room Experience - "CSI: Grounded is a web-based escape game you can play at home, solo or with a group. Includes audio, video, and visual files that are gradually unlocked as you solve your way through the exciting and fiendish puzzles to find out who killed Avery Stone."

The Mermaid's Tongue - "Your help is needed to track down an ancient lost artefact. Thrown into a murky underworld, you’ll have to hack into CCTV, outbid a high-end art dealer, and decipher messages from beyond the grave. Every click will immerse you deeper in the mystery. What is the Mermaid’s Tongue? And who are the dark forces who will stop at nothing to beat you to it? Let the hunt begin…"

Sherlock in Homes - "An online murder mystery in association with The Wardrobe Theatre. Don you deerstalker, grab your notepad and boil your kettle! It's time to Zoom in to a murder mystery from your own home."

5. Virtual magic and mindreading shows

Magicians are offering virtual magic performances. Magician Peter Wardell offers: "Full shows last up to 45 minutes and involve virtual Mind Reading, brilliant comedy and some mind blowing sleight of hand magic. If you want a shorter virtual magic show then that’s also possible.  For example you can use a 15 minute online magic performance to banish Zoom fatigue and liven up your virtual meetings."

Or perhaps top mentalist Kevin Viner whose "show “Virtually Impossible” is a brand new, immersive experience that makes YOU the star as he reads your minds through the screen. Prepare to be amazed, either for a short breakout session or with Kevin’s full 45 minute experience. If you are looking for a way to bring your team and their families together in these difficult times, there is no better choice. Kevin’s show is fast paced, interactive, and transcends the virtual environment like nothing you’ve seen before."

6. Team bonding, but fun

You could just pick from a range of fun team events on Nicebreak to add some happiness to your virtual Xmas celebration.

7. A happy way to hang out online

Or you could try Mibo - "a videochat app made for informal meetings, remote drinks, social mixers, networking events, or just hanging around. In Mibo, you walk around in a 3D world with your webcam as your head. Sounds silly — but give it a try and you’ll see it works."

8. Do a 'cook along'

You could get the team to cook along to a live demo. You could even get The Suited Chef to interview someone of your choice (the boss?) as you all cook a 3 course meal together...?!

9. Have an "invisible party"

If your virtual Christmas party leaves you with unspent budget, you could consider supporting one of the initiatives that have sprung up to promote the concept of the "invisible party".

Hospitality Action instigated @invisiblexmas to encourage businesses to donate their festive funds to those who need help at what should be the industry’s busiest time of the year. Campari and Tipjar have partnered to run Shaken not Broken which lets you target your donation to the food and drink sector in your local area. Meanwhile Xmas Party Heroes acts as a funnel to a range of different charities.

Whatever you end up doing,  have a Happy Christmas ! 🎄

More tips for remote working and hybrid teams

How to use Guild for remote working

How to adapt to remote working

Build a good company culture with remote teams

Back to the office team-building ideas

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