Staff Party
18 ideas for an unforgettable office party
When you think of an office party, does an image of endless clock-watching awkwardness come to mind? We’ve all been there, and we definitely don’t want to go back. Planning an office party can be a daunting task, as it involves balancing your responsibilities with your guests’ enjoyment. But fear not! We’re here to help. Check out these 18 exciting office party ideas that will break all inhibitions and help you organize the best office party ever!
Office Party Ideas
Office Party Ideas
An office party is perhaps one of the most difficult events to plan, as it is indeed a serious task, mostly because you have to balance two very opposing goals: your responsibility and the enjoyment of your guests.
But if you've been tasked with planning your next office party, fear not, we're here to help. Here are 18 of the most exciting office party ideas that will remove all inhibitions and help you organize the best office party ever.
- Office Olympics
- Do it yourself photo booth
- Gift Exchange
- Pub Quiz
- Treasure Hunt
- Talent Show
- Game Tournament
- Food Night
- Escape Room Challenge
- Decade Theme Party
- Murder Mystery
- Office Awards Ceremony
- Shut Down for Lunch
- Karaoke
- Movie Night
- Bowling Party
- Cocktail Making
- Hire a DJ
- Check with your office before choosing a theme
- Find the right venue
- Kom igång dryckerna
- Engage yourself
- Embrace the moment
- Last but not least: Say thank you.
Our list of 18 best office party ideas
Office Olympics
Get ready to bring the Olympic spirit right to your office with the most thrilling Office Olympics ever! Create different teams and arrange super fun and unique events (not just sports-related) that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
This is a great way to mix different departments, create teams and organise different fun and unique events. They don't have to be typical sports activities, and you don't even have to have an open space to carry them out, as long as it's something your employees will enjoy, there are more than enough ways to do what you want.
To really embrace the occasion, you can also hold an opening and closing ceremony, medal ceremonies and have each team choose their own "national anthems".
Price: € €
Do it yourself photo booth
Photo booths are always popular at parties, but they can be expensive to rent. By making one yourself, you save time and money while adding a personal touch. You will need:
Background::
This can be anything from a strip of paper, sheet, or curtain.
Props::
You can easily make your own props by downloading templates from the internet and cutting them out yourself. Some accessories are also very cheap to buy in party and masquerade shops.
Camera:
Ask around the office if anyone has a good quality camera they could borrow for the evening. If not, a smartphone camera can work just as well and let you upload photos instantly.
Price: € €
Gift Exchange
Presentutbyten är ett annat bra sätt att blanda olika grupper och främja nya vänskaper. En idé kan vara att ha en liten upptakt inför presentutbytet på festen. Ge alla en “hemlig vän” en vecka innan festen och lämna kuvert med allas namn på kontoret. Människor kan sedan lägga små presenter, lappar eller ledtrådar i kuvertet till sin vän innan den stora avslöjningen på slutet av veckans fest.
Price € €
Pub Quiz
Although the idea of a pub quiz can sometimes be frowned upon, it can be a truly memorable night if done right. Balance is key - don't copy generic questions you hear in the pub every week. Try to add a personal touch and include questions that are specific to the office or have open-ended answers that you can judge for yourself.
Here are some ideas for fun questions to use in your quiz that are sure to keep everyone on their toes and make the night memorable. All you have to do is watch as the evening unfolds and the teams begin to work together in a healthy, engaging and competitive spirit.
Price € €
Treasure Hunt
A great fun activity that gets everyone out and exploring is a scavenger hunt. Treasure hunts have the ability to bring together people from across the office and add a fun, competitive and interesting dimension to your party.
Familiarize yourself with the location where you want the treasure hunt and then think about how to structure your teams, tasks and prizes. Try to make it personal for the office and be creative with clues and tasks. . Here are some ideas to get you started.
Price €
Talent Show
An office talent show is a really interesting way to get to know your colleagues and discover any hidden talents they may have. It can also encourage people to show new sides of their personality that may be difficult to convey in an office environment. Encouraging people to participate—whether seriously or jokingly—allows people to engage to the degree they desire while creating interesting conversation topics in the office. More importantly, it creates a newfound camaraderie and unites people with common interests, helping to create a more positive mentality among your employees.
Price €
Game Tournament
Game night is on! Gather board games, card games, and video games for a thrilling tournament. Split into teams and rotate through games – everyone gets a shot at victory!
This is a fantastic way to unwind, have fun, and build strong connections with your teammates. Ready, set, play – let the games bring out the competitive spirit in all of you!
Price €
Food Night
Foodies, unite! Bring everyone together with a delightful food-themed party. Host a potluck or ask for traditional dishes from different cultures – celebrate diversity with mouthwatering treats! Food has a unique way of bringing people together, and this event promises to be a feast for the senses.
For domestic offices, try bringing a selection of local and home-cooked food and have your own little food festival. Combine that with some drinks, decorations and music, and you've got yourself a great party!
Price € €
Escape Room Challenge
Ready for the ultimate thrill? Head to an escape room, and it can be an interesting way to try something new and different with your colleagues. Although being stuck in a room with all your co-workers may seem like familiar territory, here you have one hour to get out by solving various puzzles and clues. This is great for team morale and gives you the opportunity to get to know your colleagues in a completely different context than in the office. If there is an Escape Room nearby, why not give it a try?
Prepare for an adventure that will have you on the edge of your seats!
Price € € €
Decade Theme Party
Dress up in ’80s, ’90s, or any decade style you love! Rock the fashion, music, and vibe – it’s a blast from the past, and it’ll bring pure joy to the present! Embrace the nostalgia and create a time-traveling experience that will transport everyone to their favorite era. This is a chance to show off your dance moves and embrace the unique styles of the past!
Price € €
Murder Mystery
A murder mystery is a fun way to create a spectacular experience and add some excitement and fun to your party. By letting everyone assume different roles and characters, you can create a pleasant atmosphere and help people let loose a little. It is especially fun to see how everyone gets involved and rises to the challenge as the evening progresses and the mystery is revealed.
It’s a fun way to spark conversations and engage everyone in an interactive adventure that will keep everyone guessing until the very end! Here are some ideas on what kind of puzzle you can choose for the evening.
Price: € € €
Office Awards Ceremony
An office awards ceremony can be a humorous way to show appreciation for all the staff and office quirks. Coming up with a short list of fun and unique awards can be a light-hearted way to poke fun at yourself and the office. By mixing in a little more serious and sincere acknowledgment, you also show appreciation for the work everyone is doing and create a positive atmosphere. You can even go all out with a tuxedo dress code, decorations and envelopes with the winners' names to add some drama to the occasion.
Price: € €
Shut Down for Lunch
Time to shut down and enjoy some food! Surprise your team with a lunchtime extravaganza. Show your appreciation and give them a break from the usual routine.
Along with the surprise lunch, this is also a great opportunity to show appreciation to everyone in the office. Thank them for coming and praise their hard work – you can even give out small gifts to make the event even more enjoyable.
Price € € €
Karaoke
Let your inner diva shine with a fabulous karaoke night. Gather together and sing your favourite tunes – it’s all about having fun and embracing your inner rock star.
Make it inviting and inclusive, so even the shyest souls join in the fun! Sing your heart out, support each other, and create a memorable night filled with music and laughter.
Price € €
Movie Night
If you don't want to complicate things, a movie night is a great way to bring your office together without forcing awkward interactions or conversations. All you have to do is stock up on snacks and drinks and put together a great list of movies for everyone to choose from. If you start early enough, you can even watch multiple movies, as well as include other activities or opportunities for mingling when everyone is feeling relaxed.
Price €
Bowling Party
Easy to organize and fun to play, bowling is a nice way to get everyone together for a fun time. Most bowling alleys offer food and drinks, as well as the opportunity to play several rounds and keep the energy up. This is a great opportunity to mix up your colleagues and encourage them to meet and play with different people in the office. You can even organize competitions between teams and award prizes to winning teams and top scorers.
Price: € €
Cocktail Making
Bringing in a cocktail maker or mixologist is a fun way to get people to socialize. Giving them the opportunity to make their own cocktails will also encourage them to participate and ease any initial nervousness. The idea of everyone enjoying their time together and bonding across departments with their own homemade cocktail in hand is especially great for fostering collaboration and camaraderie within your team.
Price € € €
Hire a DJ till kontoret
I have played at many office parties and have always had fun. The beer fridge is close, the desks are moved to the sides and the dance floor is officially open. I've also been involved in bar/party games like dance duels, or if you want to really challenge yourself, drink a drink through a colleague's sock! Disgusting! Otherwise, just let the music flow and make sure everyone has a memorable night. All you have to do is book, the rest is taken care of by DJ Carl "London DJ".
Pris € €
Essential things to make the party really great
Now that you're full of ideas, here are six additional points to consider that will make your party run like clockwork and make sure everyone goes home happy
Check with your office before choosing a theme
As you've seen, there are tons of fun new themes for office parties. If you're organizing the office party yourself, it can be easy to get excited about certain ideas without asking the office, so it's important to give them a voice.
Suggest some ideas to them, but also be receptive to their thoughts. If you desperately want to organize a karaoke party, but no one in the office is motivated by the idea, it would not make sense to carry it out. Choosing a theme together that everyone is happy with is much more likely to create excitement and encourage people to participate.
Find the right venue
Regardless of what you are planning, a suitable venue is crucial. Don't try to save by choosing the nearest cheap bar or pub. Think about what you are planning, the number of guests and try to find a venue that suits your needs. It includes any support or equipment you may need, such as an open bar, bartenders, professional staff, IT support and DJs, among others.
Also, consider the location of your premises. The right place is one that is easy for everyone to reach. This may mean compromises are needed – think it through carefully in advance and take into account where your attendees will be traveling from.
Depending on your plans, a truly unique yet familiar place for your guests will make everyone feel welcome and comfortable at all times. Avoid choosing the easy solution and holding the party in the office, instead change the location a bit and add excitement to the familiar. You can find a variety of fun and interesting places using our free and easy place finder here.
Get started on the drinks
Another good icebreaker is to offer a nice welcome drink to help everyone feel at home and calm any pre-party jitters. Make sure to have enough drinks and offer a choice of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options throughout the evening. Of course, there will be a certain degree of moderation at an office party. Don't get your hopes up that the night will be great just because of the drinks. Center the evening around the planned activities and see the drinks as a welcome addition, rather than the most important part of the party.
Engage yourself
Don't be too shy to enjoy the party yourself! As a manager and organizer, it can be easy to sit on the sidelines and let everyone else have fun. Break the mold and make sure to mingle, have fun and make everyone feel comfortable. This will rub off on everyone else and help everyone enjoy the moment in a relaxed atmosphere.
Embrace the moment
How often do you all have the opportunity to meet in a non-work environment? Take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate together and strengthen relationships in the office. If you've chosen an interesting theme or activity, go all out to make it special and don't save just to save money. Use your entire budget in the best possible way and try to impress. After all, you want people to come to the office for days to come and talk about how great the party was.
Last but not least: Say thank you.
Be sure to thank everyone for coming and do your best to make them feel welcome. As well as creating a lovely atmosphere with food, drink and music, why not buy some small farewell gifts to add a personal touch?
Try to get rid of any stress in the beginning, it will ensure a relaxed and fun office party. Try to take photos for fond memories and share them on your social media platforms and office bulletin board. A successful office party can be the start of something much bigger and provide a positive mentality in your workplace.
