Not every team wants a Christmas party, and plenty of London workplaces now plan an inclusive holiday party that celebrates the end of the year without the tinsel. Maybe your team is diverse, maybe you’re planning a January winter party, or maybe you just want something different. Either way, the best non-Christmas holiday party ideas share one thing: they give people something to do together.
Here are some winter team experiences that work for corporate teams across London. They come to your office or a venue of your choice, and they can be presented in a winter or holiday theme rather than a Christmas one.
Make something together.
Candle Making.
Blend essential oils to craft your own signature fragrance, with warming winter notes such as cloves and frankincense and then create your own customised labels. It’s calm, creative and ideal for teams who’d rather relax than compete.
Tote Bag Decorating
Guests turn an eco-friendly cotton tote into a personalised piece they’ll keep using long after the party. The chosen designs can be non-Christmas themed. It’s a practical, low-fuss option that suits large groups and works as a team gift.
Festive Flower Arranging.
Expert florists guide your team in creating a hand-tied boquet from seasonal foliage such as pine and berries, with red and white blooms. Add ribbons for a modern twist. It’s a lovely fit for a seasonal party that isn’t strictly Christmas.
Arm Knitting
No needles and no experience required: just your arms. Teams knit a cosy hat or scarf, or donate their makes to a homelessness charity, which adds a giving-back angle to your winter celebration.
Something that gets everyone talking.
Winter Paint & Sip.
Your artist guides the whole team, step by step, through painting a design on canvas while everyone enjoys a drink. It suits mixed-confidence groups because nobody needs artistic talent, and everyone leaves with a finished piece.
Ice Sculpting.
This is the one people mention for months. Your team will be split into pairs and each pair will chisel their own ice sculpture, a real showstopper for a winter party and a great photo moment. It’s available as a workshop or a drop-in.
The Betrayers.
Inspired by the hit BBC series The Traitors, Betrayers is a game of deception for the whole team. Teams take on four to six challenges built around puzzles, cryptic codes and high-pressure tasks, with gold to be won in each.
Why more London teams are choosing a holiday party over a Christmas party.
A growing number of London companies now call their end-of-year celebration a holiday party rather than a Christmas party, so that every colleague feels included. London workplaces bring together people of many cultures, faiths and traditions, and a non-Christmas holiday party lets the whole team join in without anyone feeling like a guest at someone else’s celebration.
Inclusive doesn’t mean bland, though. Winter is a brilliant theme in its own right: cosy, creative and a little bit sparkly. Think candlelit workshops, seasonal flowers, mulled wine and ice sculptures rather than tinsel and paper hats. The best holiday party ideas for work put the focus on doing something together, whether that’s making, creating or playing a game, because shared experiences are what teams remember long after the party ends.
Holiday party or winter party: which suits your team?
If your celebration falls in December, a holiday party gives you a festive feel without a religious theme. If it’s planned for January or February, a winter party works equally well and often comes with better venue availability and less competition for dates. Either way, you can keep the tone warm and seasonal without being Christmas-specific.
Ready to plan your holiday party?
Not sure which experience suits your team? Book a discovery call and we’ll help you pick, or browse the full marketplace.
