Holiday party ideas NYC: holiday group activities and team building

The holiday season is a time for celebration and gift-giving and if you want to bring this to your team members, you should consider hosting a white elephant gift exchange. This classic holiday game will see participants selecting gifts at random from a pool and then trying to steal them from one another in order to end up with the gift that they are most interested in receiving. This event can be customized to fit your team’s needs, including the size of the event and the price point of the gifts, giving you many options for customizing your overall experience. Everyone is sure to enjoy the event and your host will take care of all of the logistic concerns, meaning you’ll be able to join in the fun easily and painlessly.

If you’d rather host an event where your team members can get gifts for one another, consider hosting an office Secret Santa gift exchange. In this event, everyone who participates will be secretly given the name of another member of the event to buy a gift for. The host will ensure that everyone is present and ready as gifts are exchanged and good times are had by all. The event can be as elaborate or simple as you want, with options for the host to turn the event into an elaborate game or simply provide a space for everyone to exchange their gifts, socialize and have a good time.

Skip the boring office pizza party and try your hand at making your own fresh hand-crafted pizza. Your team will learn the art and the science behind making great pizza, from mastering fresh dough to selecting the best toppings. After this class, you’ll be able to create mouthwatering pizzas exactly the way you like them, whether you favor a classic Margaritas or a gourmet pizza. This class focuses on vegetarian options, so you can incorporate fresh, flavorful ingredients like veggies, olives, and basil into your pie. BYOB to enjoy with your pizza and sit down to enjoy a pizza feast you created yourself.

Be prepared to brush flour off your apron before you sit down to savor some delicious pasta. In this pasta making class, your group will learn the secrets to making authentic Italian handmade pasta from scratch. You’ll discover how to select the finest ingredients and you’ll master the various shapes that make each kind of pasta so distinctive. Pasta is a rich Italian tradition that is beloved around the world, and it’s sure to be a hit if your team loves to enjoy delicious food and get hands-on in the kitchen. This two-hour class allows time for meal preparation and you can opt to add extra dining time at no additional cost.

Colorful and delicious rolls of sushi make any day feel special, and you’ll definitely impress your friends when you say that you made it yourself. This class will walk your team through each step to creating rolls just like a sushi chef made them. Making sushi together is highly social as you work together to prepare fillings and wrap each roll. You’ll learn the secret to making distinctive sushi rice, how to select sushi-grade fish, and which neta (ingredients) to add to create an irresistible combination. You’ll get to create three rolls, including a spicy tuna roll, a traditional veggie maki roll, and a salmon avocado roll, as well as create your own zippy ponzu sauce. This class is held in a hotel or restaurant where you’ll have your own private seating area and you can order drinks in addition if you wish.

This is a cooking class with a twist! Your team will work together to craft the best handmade pasta from scratch and win the competition. By the end of your cooking time, everyone will be talking and laughing together as they brush flour off their aprons. This is a fun way to learn new kitchen skills and plan a holiday party that everyone will remember. Plus, with your new-found pasta making skills, you can enjoy a delicious Italian dinner at home any time you want. At the end of your class you’ll share a delicious meal of fresh fettuccine pasta, spinach ricotta ravioli, and rustic tomato sauce. You can BYOB your favorite wine or beer to sip while you’re cooking or enjoy with your meal, and you can add optional menu items like spinach artichoke dip, arugula salad, or chocolate dessert bites for an extra fee.

An expert chef will guide you through creating a delicious homemade Thai meal just like your favorite restaurant. This is a great alternative to a team holiday meal at a restaurant because everyone will be working together and having a great time as they learn the secrets to Thai cooking. Your menu includes Pad Thai, Veggie Summer Rolls, and Pineapple Chicken Satay with Nut-Free Thai Sauce, all served with Coconut Basmati Rice.

Making sushi and dumplings together is a great way to relax and connect with your team as everyone concentrates on mastering new folding and rolling techniques to craft your dinner. This two-hour event is held in a private kitchen studio reserved just for you, and led by an amazing chef instructor and culinary team. You’ll be making California Rolls, Veggie and Hand Sushi Rolls, and Veggie Dumplings with Honey Soy Dipping Sauce. You can bring your favorite wine or beer to accompany your meal, and choose from optional add-ons for side dishes and dessert. You can even include a take-home apron as a holiday gift, so everyone will be prepared to continue cooking at home.

When you’re looking to please a crowd, pizza never fails to deliver. This exciting cooking experience comes with unlimited soda, beer, and wine, though you can request a full bar for an additional charge. It all starts with everyone learning how to create a quick and easy pizza dough from scratch before choosing and preparing whatever toppings you prefer. While the pizzas bake, the kitchen is transformed into an inviting dining area where everyone will sit together, enjoy each other’s company, and eat their delicious homemade pizzas.

If you’re looking to sit back and enjoy some delectable sweet treats, this experience has you covered. It all begins with a glass of wine and a 40-minute chocolate and truffle-tasting session. During this time, participants will learn more about different types of chocolate and their various applications. Next, you’ll move into the kitchen where everyone will learn to make a container of delectable chocolate ganache, which you’ll get to take home! The event finishes with the instructor guiding everyone through the process of hand-rolling a dozen truffles and finishing them with their choice of toppings.

Nothing says holidays more than the fragrance of fresh baked goods hot from the oven, and in this group event, you’ll learn to make a classic French favorite -- the croissant. With its tender flaky exterior, light buttery layers inside, and familiar crescent shape, this beloved pastry seems to melt in your mouth. During the three-hour class, you’ll learn to make three variations on the croissant, including a traditional croissant, pains au chocolat (a croissant with chocolate inside), and savory ham and cheese croissants. The class includes soft drinks and snacks to tide you over until your croissants are ready to enjoy.

If your group is up for a bit of a challenge in the kitchen and you love those delicate Italian sandwich cookies called macarons, then this is the class for you. Macarons are famously challenging to make, but once you learn the proper techniques and have a chance to practice with expert guidance, you’ll be able to make them on your own any time you want. And it’s worth the effort! Italian macarons are known for their delicate texture and rich flavors. Making macarons is a great way to work together and create a truly special holiday treat.

If you’ve wondered how to create luxuriously decorated cakes for special occasions like the holidays, you’ll learn all the tips and secrets in this hands-on class. Decorating cakes is a fun and creative pastime that you can put to use for a wide variety of occasions. It’s a great way to connect with your team in a relaxed environment or enjoy a fun outing with family or friends, and if you have a passion for baking and special desserts, learning cake decorating is the icing on the cake. This class takes you through all the fundamental techniques and shows you how to work with a crumb coating and a smooth buttercream finish. You’ll learn to work with piping bags, create basic design elements, and even try your hand with fondant decorations.

This team event will take you behind the scenes to a bagel kitchen to learn all the tips and secrets to creating your own hot, chewy bagels fresh from the oven. Your team will work together to craft delectable bagels with the perfect dough and golden crust. You can enjoy your bagels with three spreads like cream cheese or butter, or you can add spreads, unlimited beer and wine, lox (smoked salmon), and charcuterie to create a complete meal. You’ll take home a dozen of your hand-crafted bagels.

Can’t decide between a cooking experience or a game event? You can have both in this television show-inspired kitchen showdown. Your team will put your creativity and kitchen skills to the test when you try to make something unique and delicious out of a bin of curious ingredients. You’ll be presented with an assortment of unusual foods like chestnuts, wasabi greens, golden beets, carrot juice, or fava beans, and use them to craft a unique signature risotto. Your chef instructors will be the final judge of which dish is the winner. Even if your dish is a flop, no one will go hungry. In addition to the competition, you’ll enjoy a delicious menu of Crostini with Peperonata and Whipped Ricotta, Roasted Lemon-Rosemary Chicken, and a refreshing Tuscan Kale Salad, capped off with a Dark Chocolate Torte.

Groups who enjoy fine wines and learning about wine making will love this holiday party option. The relaxed, private setting is a great alternative to the bar scene and offers a chance to build communication and learn something new together. This class is for any level of experience, whether you’re a wine aficionado or you just like to sip a glass to relax. You’ll learn about the wine regions of the world and the history of wine making. Then, as you sample six different wines, you’ll explore tasting techniques, flavor profiles, grape characteristics, and everyday wine appreciation tips. You’ll learn how to pair a wine to make the most of its features and you’ll refine your palate to better appreciate fine wines. You’ll taste a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and a final red.

Celebrate the end of the year with a trio of festive craft cocktails that are sure to be a hit for the whole team. Even the most amateur of mixologists can learn how to make cocktails in this holiday-themed cocktail-making course and everyone will be provided with all of the tools and equipment they need, so even if you can’t tell a jigger from a Hawthorne strainer, you’ll be able to mix along and enjoy the drinks with your colleagues. Your team members will learn to make a Wonderland (a simple vodka cocktail utilizing holiday syrup), a complex tequila cocktail, and a holiday variant on a whiskey old-fashioned. Spirits can be substituted to attendees tastes and non-alcoholic options are available so that everyone can participate in the event.

Holiday wine and cheese parties are a classic combination, and in this event you’ll take it one step further by learning to make your own cheese together. Fresh mozzarella is a mild, silky delicacy that is made by hand and is unsurpassed for the best pizza or Caprese salad. You’ll start by tasting five exceptional versions of fresh pasta filata-style cheese made from pulled curd, like mozzarella, bufala, and burrata, while you sip on either sparkling or red wine (or you can choose a non-alcoholic alternative). Then, the real fun starts as you get hands-on with stretching and crafting two balls of your own high-quality mozzarella to take home.

If you’re looking for a unique way to boost your team spirit and celebrate the holidays, this fabulous cocktail making class has you covered with a refreshing twist on the usual after-work drinks or birthday celebrations. You’ll meet up in a chic NYC speakeasy for lessons with an expert bartender for hands-on practice making two delicious drinks of your choice. Your group will love this low-stress experience to help you unwind and melt away your worries, and you’ll be the go-to bartender at your next shindig with your new skills behind the bar.

Margaritas are loved for their refreshing balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors, and they are easy to whip up yourself when you know how. In this group event, you’ll learn all about the history of margaritas, favorite margarita recipes, and tips and tricks for making the best margaritas. You’ll never use a mix again once you know how to craft the perfect cocktail from scratch. Your bartender host will walk you through making three types of margaritas, including a Tommy’s Margarita, a Spicy Margarita, and a Blood Orange Margarita, and they’ll show you the right way to use professional barware. Nosh on a provided platter of housemade chips and salsa while you savor your delicious drinks together.

This year you can mix up your own sophisticated cocktails to ring in the new year in style. This is a fun way for teams and groups to work together in a festive and seasonal activity. Expert mixologists will guide you through the art of crafting cocktails so you’ll be mixing, stirring, and shaking like a pro. You can prepare to impress your friends at your holiday party, plan an out-of-the-ordinary bachelorette or birthday bash, or enjoy an alternative to an awkward cocktail party. Ring in this new year with flair, and great cocktails!

If your group loves to eat, drink, and be merry, this is the holiday party for you. The event starts with the expert mixologist teaching everyone how to create elevated cocktail syrups to add to any holiday beverage, like Fresh Ginger and Blackberry Shrub. Next, you’ll create an array of appetizers to complete the event. The menu includes Crostini with Fresh Mozzarella, Roasted Peppers, Prosciutto & Olive-Basil Tapenade, Potsticker Dumplings (available with pork or vegetables), and Spinach and Feta Phyllo Triangles. To finish everything off, you’ll also make a Dark Chocolate Mousse with whipped cream and sea salt.

Paint and sip parties are hugely popular for team building around the holidays, and for good reason. With wine to sip and an artist instructor to guide you through your painting, it’s a fun way to relax and express your creativity. You don’t need any prior experience with painting to create a beautiful finished artwork that you’ll be proud to display. You can schedule your party at this partner venue in Midtown, or opt for classes in Chelsea, Harlem, or Williamsburg. You can even schedule a paint and sip event at your own office or venue space. This party is a great option for groups who like to bond over a love of art.

Pottery workshops are a fun way to spend time with a group and learn a new skill, and they’re a great alternative to holiday parties. It’s incredibly relaxing to feel the clay take shape in your hands and watch a vessel emerge, and it’s easy to chat while you work in a low-pressure setting. Your group will truly relax and support each other as they learn. This class will introduce you to the basics of using a pottery wheel to create a cup or bowl shape and then you’ll get to try it yourself. You don’t need any prior experience with clay, and you’ll get to try again until you craft a piece that you love. You’ll be able to pick up your fired piece of ceramic one week later.

This relaxing candle-making event is ideal for teams who need a simple and relaxing end to their year. The host will bring all the required materials to your venue before giving a brief introduction and basic instructions. Once the melted wax has been distributed to each guest, everyone will customize their candles with colors, botanicals, and fragrances. This process is repeated so everyone leaves with two unique candles, complete with tins, lids, and eco-friendly bags. The candles can be used to relax some more at home or given as gifts to a loved one during the holiday season.

Everything’s a little more fun when you BYOB, and that includes building a gingerbread house! In this holiday workshop, your group will build and decorate gingerbread houses while sipping on your favorite drink and simply enjoying each other’s company. Everyone should be prepared to get a little messy during this activity, so be sure to come prepared with appropriate clothes and shoes for working in a kitchen. All of the cookie-decorating materials are supplied, you just need to bring the drinks and your friends!

Cookie decorating is a classic holiday activity, so why not learn from a pro? In this workshop, your group will learn a variety of professional cookie decorating techniques, like making royal icing, flooding, and piping. You’ll also learn about a few final decorations to make your cookies shine. Throughout the workshop, everyone is encouraged to work together to problem solve and create whatever designs your imagination can create. The event will start with a quick icebreaker before diving into the hands-on decoration. At the end of the workshop, everyone will be able to sit together and enjoy their treats.

In this creative holiday wreath making class, all the materials you need will be provided, including a variety of dried fruit, faux berries, pinecones, and lotus pods. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, the host will happily guide you through the process. The instructor will also share some fundamental design principles along the way so you’ll be able to recreate your design at home if you want. As everyone crafts their wreath, they’ll be able to enjoy the company of their colleagues, with plenty of opportunities for some laid-back team bonding. By the end of the event, everyone will walk away with a beautifully handcrafted wreath to proudly display at home or give as a gift.

Candles are a popular home decor item for their relaxing flicker of light and the luxurious fragrance they impart in a space. If members of your group like to light a candle to relax or enjoy the romantic ambiance of a candlelit room, you’ll love to create a personalized container candle in this class. The instructor has vast experience with aromatherapy and scent therapy and will guide you through blending your scents and colors. Melted wax is provided so you can focus on choosing your fragrance, color, botanicals, and additives to truly personalize your project.

If you have nature lovers or green thumbs in your group, this is the class for you. Terrariums bring a hint of the natural world into your home or office space that is soothing and relaxing. This terrarium workshop provides everything you need to create a beautiful piece of natural art in a glass bowl. Your instructor will guide you through the principles of feng shui, a Chinese practice of arrangement and organization that creates balance and harmony with nature and is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and health. You’ll use beautiful materials like succulents, moss, and rocks to practice feng shui in your terrarium.

This Sip & Sew event is a creative sewing workshop that blends team building with craft and wine, a fun and festive combination. You’ll nestle into the cozy, creative sewing workspace where you’ll be welcomed with a glass of red or white wine while you unwind and socialize. Then, a skilled instructor will take you step-by-step through sewing basics like threading the sewing machine and bobbin, using basic stitches and seam finishes on a sewing machine, and sewing pieces of fabric together. By the end of the class, you’ll have sewn your own denim tote bag or wine-carrying bag. This is the perfect escape from the office routine and a chance to connect with your group over a unique skill and experience.

Here’s a party for creative groups and people who like to work with their hands that’s outside of the ordinary. You’ll have a spacious screen printing studio all to yourselves and everything set up for you to enjoy printing at your own pace. You’ll get a brief demonstration of how to screen print, and then you’re on your own to print t-shirts, totes, drink koozies, or all of them. You can choose your favorite design to use and select your favorite ink colors for truly unique results. Plus, you can BYOB so bring your favorite beverage and let the printing party begin.

An escape room brings a sense of challenge and adventure to your next holiday event. This is a great way to get your team or group communicating and brainstorming together to solve a problem, all with a sense of fun. You can choose from team building escape room experiences that have you escaping from a 1950s-style prison, time-traveling between centuries to save reality, finding a fortune hidden by your gold-prospecting ancestor, or investigating the mysterious disappearance of a doctor from an abandoned ocean laboratory. You’ll love this hilarious and mind-bending twist on the traditional holiday party that’s sure to get everyone involved in solving the puzzle.

Get ready to test your knowledge of festive tunes and enjoy a night of singing and fun in this holiday event. Colleagues will form teams and compete in a spirited contest featuring questions about classic carols, modern holiday hits, and everything in between. From identifying famous lyrics to naming artists and song titles, this event is designed to bring out the music lover in everyone. The host will ask a mixture of easy and challenging questions to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy. Bragging rights are up for grabs, so tune up your holiday cheer, brush up on your favorite seasonal songs, and get ready for a night of music and laughter.

Have you seen Home Alone or How the Grinch Stole Christmas more times than you can count? Does your family play A Christmas Story on repeat for the entire holiday season? If so, this is definitely the holiday activity for you. In this Christmas trivia game, your group will be split into teams as you try to become movie trivia champions! You’ll enjoy rounds that feature images and music from classic Christmas movies. This game is designed to be challenging but not impossible so everyone is sure to get a few answers correct and have a great time while doing it.

If your group is full of competitive Christmas lovers, this event will certainly fit the bill. After everyone has been split into teams, the host will guide your group through four rounds of trivia, each with a different theme—traditional, music, images, and a surprise round. Some rounds will be played in smaller teams and others will involve the whole group, so this event is a great opportunity for team members to get to know each other and meet new people. Each game usually lasts around 60 minutes, but every event can be modified based on your group’s goals and preferences.

Another fun way to spend a lazy afternoon or evening during the holidays is to kick back and play a few silly games with your team members. In this office Olympics event, your team members can compete against one another in fun and unique competitions to determine who has the most eclectic skills among the team. A professional host will guide participants through a series of challenges, including typing contests, races, stacking events, and a host of other weird and silly games before ultimately crowning the champion of the office olympiads.

Teams with a competitive spirit will love this Lego® building challenge. Through a combination of individual and group events, everyone will get to build a variety of creative structures in this unique team building event. Each round starts with a unique prompt, like “create a form of transportation,” or “build something that represents your favorite hobby.” From here, teams will collaborate to ensure their structures are both stable and appealing to the eye. The winning builds are chosen by popular vote at the end of each round.

By providing employees with a break from their usual routines and responsibilities, office parties boost morale and create an opportunity to have fun and let loose together. In a more relaxed environment, coworkers can get to know each other better and build stronger relationships as they share more about themselves and their interests outside of work. These events also show employees that they are valued and appreciated, helping to increase feelings of job satisfaction. A party is also a great way to reduce stress and celebrate another year of hard work, which can lead to increased productivity once employees return to work after the holiday season is over. 

Beyond helping to improve morale and provide a much-needed break at the end of the year, holiday parties are also a perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams over the year. Allowing colleagues to congratulate each other and show appreciation for everyone’s hard work will only add to the warmth and fun of the evening. Recognizing the hard work of your employees in the presence of leadership can make management feel more approachable by giving them a chance to connect in a more relaxed setting. Additionally, office parties that promote diversity and celebrate a variety of cultures and backgrounds can help all employees feel included. Incorporating a multitude of traditions in your celebration can allow employees to learn more about each other and communicate more freely than they might in an office setting, potentially improving overall workplace communication.  

Fun and successful holiday parties can also help establish a more positive company culture by starting a tradition that employees can look forward to year after year. These events help employees feel a sense of belonging and community with one another, ensuring greater respect and camaraderie between coworkers. Hosting an annual holiday party also helps demonstrate to employees that their company is committed to their well-being and ensuring they feel appreciated. Over time, a party like this can become a beloved activity that everyone looks forward to, contributing to increased motivation and engagement towards the end of each year. You can also host a virtual holiday event if your team members are working from home or you just want to provide another venue for your team members to attend.

The best office parties are thoughtfully planned, entertaining, and inclusive. Every detail should be carefully considered to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone who attends, and this begins with choosing a venue that will comfortably fit the size of your group. It’s helpful to send out detailed invitations well in advance so folks have time to book childcare (if needed), arrange transportation, and ensure they will be dressed appropriately. Thoughtful planning also means that the menu accommodates dietary restrictions and offers non-alcoholic beverages for anyone who chooses not to drink. Details like this make everyone feel at ease before the event begins, setting the stage for a fun and successful party. 

You’ll also want to select a few options for entertainment throughout your event, which can vary depending on your budget. These can be more extravagant like a DJ or a photo booth, or you can keep things simpler by doing a small raffle or gift exchange. You can also leave ideas for ice-breakers and team-building activities on tables so people can continue getting to know each other throughout the evening. Incorporating a few different options for entertainment will promote more engagement amongst the employees and ensure that this event is one that they will look forward to when the next holiday season rolls around. 

Inclusivity and appreciation are also essential cornerstones of a truly great office party. Creating a welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all attendees is crucial since showing employees that they belong can strengthen workplace relationships and demonstrate that respect for others is an important aspect of company culture. You can also include a segment that recognizes achievements and contributions, further boosting morale and ensuring employees feel that their efforts throughout the year have been suitably recognized.

When it comes to deciding which holiday event would suit your group best, there are several factors worth thinking about. Budget is understandably one of the biggest considerations when planning a holiday party for a large group. While something like an ugly sweater party or Christmas karaoke may be the focal point of the evening, other details will impact the budget, like potentially booking a venue (though many businesses choose to have these events in their office), and providing food and other entertainment. Even if you’re working with more limited funds, you can still spread holiday cheer through something like a potluck or a simple white elephant gift exchange after your official event is over. 

The purpose of the activity will also help guide you toward the right choice for your team. Any of these activities are sure to be entertaining and will ensure your group makes lasting memories with each other, but there are other ways to narrow your choice depending on the results you hope to achieve. If you’re hoping to unwind and relax after a busy year, an all-inclusive event like trivia or karaoke where the participants simply rely on the host might be best. On the other hand, a group that could benefit from collaboration and more hands-on engagement may prefer a cooking class or a crafting activity. 

The dynamics of your company can also come into play when selecting a holiday activity. The playful bragging and jeering that comes with a little friendly competition can feel a little uncomfortable with people you don’t know very well, so a game of trivia would likely work best with a group of people who are more familiar with each other. If your team is newer to working together, something like a wreath-making craft or a gingerbread house event may be a better fit because these activities are more laid back and may breed more organic conversation. Along those same lines, a cooking event might be better suited for a smaller group so they can sit down together and enjoy an intimate meal at the end of their activity, while a larger group may prefer an ugly sweater party–the more fashion to laugh at, the better!

It’s also essential that you ensure your activity is something everyone can participate in, regardless of background or skill level. If there are a lot of different cultures represented in your team, an activity that specifically focuses on Christmas might seem insensitive and leave some people feeling like their needs weren’t considered. If you select a crafting or a cooking event, ensure it is beginner-friendly and that all ingredients and materials are free from allergens. You can help ensure inclusivity by sending out an anonymous survey before booking your event to ensure all employees have a say in expressing their needs and preferences.