The holiday season is a perfect time to celebrate the people who keep your business running: your team. Whether you lead a fully remote workforce or a hybrid crew, holiday team building activities can boost morale, encourage connection, and end the year on a high note.

But not just any activity will do. Forget the forced fun—think meaningful, inclusive experiences that fit your team’s unique vibe. The right approach can turn a simple celebration into something that strengthens relationships and reflects your company’s culture.

Here are 10 genuinely fun and effective holiday team building activities, plus some practical advice from the experts at Teambuilding ROI, who specialize in maximizing the impact of every team moment.

1. Virtual Secret Santa with a Twist

Add a creative layer to the classic gift exchange. Instead of just sending gifts, have each team member include a handwritten note explaining why they chose that particular item. This small gesture adds warmth and thoughtfulness, even across time zones.

Pro Tip: Use a tool like Elfster or DrawNames to automate pairings and avoid awkward mix-ups.

2. Holiday Bake-Along

Everyone loves holiday treats—and even more so when you’re making them together. Host a live virtual baking class where your team can follow a chef or a team member through a recipe.

Make it better with Teambuilding ROI: Their facilitators can coordinate delivery of pre-measured ingredients, so your team can focus on the fun, not logistics.

3. Themed Costume Call

Encourage everyone to dress up based on a holiday theme: "Ugly Sweater Day," "Winter Wonderland," or even “Favorite Holiday Movie Character.” Then jump on a quick call and vote for the best outfit.

This is a simple, budget-friendly way to spark joy and creativity—perfect for remote teams looking for low-lift holiday team building activities.

4. Virtual Holiday Escape Room

If your team loves puzzles, a holiday-themed escape room can be a high-energy way to bond. Look for versions that can be played entirely online in breakout groups. They often require collaboration, problem-solving, and a bit of festive cheer.

5. Year-End Awards Show

Host a “Team Oscars” and create light-hearted award categories like “Best Zoom Background,” “Silent Hero,” or “Most Likely to Reply with a GIF.” Invite peers to nominate each other anonymously and present the awards during a live call.

It’s a feel-good way to wrap up the year and recognize unsung heroes.

6.  Holiday Karaoke Showdown

Holiday tunes + a little bravery = instant team bonding. Host a karaoke competition via Zoom or gather video submissions ahead of time. Use a voting system (or just applause emojis) to crown a holiday karaoke champ.

7. Letters of Gratitude Exchange

Have team members draw names and write short letters of appreciation to each other. This works beautifully in both virtual and in-person formats. Reading thoughtful words from a teammate can leave a lasting impact—far beyond any virtual game.

Teambuilding ROI encourages teams to incorporate gratitude into their culture, not just during the holidays. Their team often facilitates “Gratitude Circles” that help normalize peer recognition and create deeper team cohesion.

8. Online Holiday Trivia

Divide into teams and test your knowledge with holiday-themed trivia. Keep the categories light: holiday movies, traditions around the world, quirky holiday facts, etc. A great host makes all the difference here—especially for remote teams.

Looking for someone to run it? Teambuilding ROI offers trivia hosts who make the experience smooth, engaging, and surprisingly hilarious.

9. Holiday Photo Challenge

Ask your team to submit a fun or heartwarming holiday photo—whether it’s their home decor, pets in Santa hats, or a family tradition. Display them in a shared doc or slideshow, and have the team vote for the funniest, most creative, or most festive entry.

10. Celebrate Global Traditions

If you have a diverse team, why not make that a feature? Ask teammates to share how they celebrate the holidays in their part of the world. Create a casual show-and-tell format with stories, recipes, or short video clips.

This is a great way to build cultural appreciation and make everyone feel seen—especially on globally distributed teams.

Why Teambuilding ROI Stands Out

At Teambuilding ROI, the focus is simple but powerful: deliver engaging, meaningful team experiences that actually improve performance and connection—not just pass the time. Their facilitators and planners specialize in making virtual events seamless, fun, and impactful.

Whether you need full-service planning or just a few creative ideas, they help companies design holiday team building activities that are aligned with culture, goals, and the spirit of the season.