How to Host A Virtual Christmas Party: Ideas and Planning Tips for Remote Teams

A Virtual Christmas Party is exactly what it sounds like—a holiday celebration hosted online. But let’s face it, a simple video call just won’t cut it. Most of your team at least, had spent 50% of their work time doing video meetings and won’t be expecting another one to be different for this time of the year. This one has to go beyond that and capture the holiday season mood!

So, how can you ensure that your Virtual Christmas Party will succeed throughout your team and company? Let’s find out!

Let’s start by Planning your Virtual Event

We know it’s pretty simple to plan and think of initiatives for an in-person Christmas Gathering, but going virtual? It’s easier than you might think! Platforms like SCOOCS are shaping the way people create virtual experiences, with cool features tailored to boost engagement and connection. Event Planning and Hosting can be overwhelming, so it’s important to choose a platform that will provide all the solutions you need while making these tasks easier.

Invite and Register your Guests

We know that a good Christmas Event starts with some good Christmas Invitations but did you know that we can have them virtual with a modern twist? You can ditch the papers while building excitement for your event and keep the invites eco-friendly!

Why not set up an Event Page with all the event details in one place and from there, let your guests RSVP and register through a personalized registration form? With a form like this, you can gather every information you need (like the preferences and interests of your attendees). 

If you’re worried about your guest missing the event, you can use a platform that has features to help you send confirmation and reminder e-mails a few days before the event. Don’t forget to include important details like schedules, dress codes (we’re assuming that every Christmas virtual party has a dress code!!), or other details that will get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Create Your Event Dashboard

Probably you already had a venue in mind like in the previous Christmas gatherings-maybe a restaurant or event at your company headquarters-but now that you’re going virtual you’re worried about having a place where everyone can meet and have all the event information available, right? 

We can make it happen with SCOOCS! You can use our customizable virtual event platform to design a festive online space that will fit your Company branding and Holiday spirit. You can add logos, colours, and themes to make the virtual event truly yours with our Event Branding Tools. Please don’t forget to plan the event activities and make them available with the Event Agenda, keeping every attendee informed.

Why not making it a Hybrid Event?

Why not mix up things this year? This way you can host a Christmas Party for those who can make it to the office and extend it online with the same kind of engagement! Using a platform like SCOOCS will allow you to stream live sessions or activities while having interaction moments through features such as live Q&As, Networking and much more, allowing you to connect and keep everyone engaged. 

Plan Activities

Let’s start to think about what you can do- maybe a cocktail workshop, a stand-up show, or even an ugly Christmas sweater contest. And what about a Christmas movie afternoon for everyone to join in? 

Create an agenda for the event, including all these things, once you’ve decided on the activities. And don’t stop here-send kits/materials related to what you’re planning to do during the Christmas Gathering to your guests. 

SCOOCS Tip: Involve your teammates in the planning process. Set up a party planning committee to brainstorm ideas and manage the details. This will make things easier and bring fun along the way.

And What Can You Do at your Virtual Christmas Party?

Opening Message/ Year-in-review

Why not start the event with your CEO or team leaders sharing a cosy opening message? It’s the perfect chance to review what the teams achieved throughout the year, celebrate everyone’s hard work and share a little bit of the holiday spirit.  

Party Chats and Networking

For larger companies, keep the energy high with themed breakout rooms or “virtual roundtables.” These spaces can bring team members together by department, shared interests, or even just for casual holiday chatter. You could host activities tailored to these smaller groups—like a DIY ornament-making session, happy hour, or a mini escape room challenge.

Giving Back to the Community

Why not have a charitable activity during the Christmas gathering? From encouraging employees to volunteer with local organisations, or to raise funds for a cause, here are some ideas:

1. Virtual Volunteering Booths: You can invite some charities or non-profit organisations to set up virtual booths during the Christmas Gathering, where your employees can explore how to get involved.
2. Fundraising Campaigns: Host a competition to see which team can raise the most (money or resources) for a specific cause.

You can check more ways to give back to the community during this holiday season, here.

Christmas Games

We know that a holiday party is incomplete without some fun Christmas days, and we can make it possible in a virtual gathering, too! Let’s bring some laughs and a festive vibe with some cool activities.

1. Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest: We know that there isn’t anything funnier at Christmas time than an ugly Christmas Sweater contest. Get everyone to wear their best over-the-top sweater or even a DIY one and organise a virtual “runaway” session. Everyone can vote on the most hideous sweater, funniest one, best DIY, etc…Why not have a gift card or holiday goodies for the winner?
2. Would You Rather: Holiday Edition: Create a list of Christmas-related Would You Rather questions like: “-Would you rather dress up as a Christmas villain or as Santa?” or “-Would you rather eat only fruitcake or drink only eggnog for a week?”-This is a simple and fun way to keep the group chatting and laughing during your Virtual Christmas Party.
3. Gingerbread House Contest: Send your gingerbread house kits to your guests and challenge them to a decorating competition. The funniest one will win! The participants can use SCOOCS’ poll features to choose the winner. 
4. Name that Christmas Song Game: Play snippets of popular Christmas songs and see who can guess the titles the fastest. Why not use breakout rooms for team competitions to do this and have the teams challenge each other?

Don’t forget

A Virtual Christmas Party may seem different but can be as fun and festive as any in-person gathering. You can create a virtual gathering that everyone will remember by mixing different activities, good moments, and the right platform! Whether you decide on going 100% virtual or want to do something more hybrid, the goal is to bring everyone together and celebrate the season!

Let’s create an outstanding Christmas gathering?

Connect with us and explore how SCOOCS can help you create impactful and memorable Christmas gatherings for your organization!