5 Creative Ways to Celebrate the Holidays With Your Team

For Kiwi bosses wanting ideas beyond a booze-up, here are five ways to provide end-of-year fun.

It’s a December dilemma for Kiwi businesses: hard-working teams need to let off steam, but budgets are tight and many Gen Zs don’t drink much. Plus, no employer wants their festive celebration to get out of hand and cause more stress than it relieves. 

The good news is it’s possible to mark the year’s end – and boost morale and connection – without a budget blow-out or embarrassing lawsuit.

1. Get Out and Get Active

Ditch the sit-down dinner and get your team out in the summer sunshine instead. A group wellness challenge – think step counts or coastal walks – costs virtually nothing and gets people involved. The prize? A day away from the desk or packed shopping centre. That’s something people actually crave during December.

Or spark some healthy competition and organise Office Olympics at a local park. Social cricket, three-legged races, an office chair relay – it’s ridiculous, memorable, and fun. A recent Massey University study confirmed happy workers are more productive, helpful and innovative. Not a bad ROI for an afternoon of laughs.

2. Give Back as a Team

It’s the season for giving so why not give time? Dedicate a paid day to volunteering together. Whether it’s a local food bank, conservation project, or community garden, giving back as a team builds bonds that last well beyond December. Plus, volunteering at NZ organisations is on the decline, so they’d be grateful for the help.

For a more targeted option, organise a skills-based giving event where your team offers expertise – IT support, graphic design, business advice – to a local charity. It’s priceless to them and reminds your staff why their work matters. Finish with a simple team lunch and you’ve got a celebration that means something.

3. Being together when you’re apart

For remote teams, high-energy virtual events are your best friend. No travel costs, no venue hire, and everyone can join from home.

Run a live virtual scavenger hunt where teams race to find household items on camera. Host a digital escape room using free tools like Google Slides. Lead a virtual mocktail masterclass: send out an ingredient list and mix drinks together over Zoom. Share ugly holiday backgrounds. Or fire up a Kahoot trivia session with questions about the year’s highlights, pop culture and fun team facts.

4. Spotlight Hidden Talents

They have skills in the workplace but what about on stage? Throw an Office’s Got Talent contest and unearth a secret Taylor Swift from Sales or closet Andrea Bocelli from IT. People can share magic tricks or stand-up comedy or just cheer on colleagues willing to brave the spotlight. 

Or how about an internal masterclass for employees with a cool hobby? Painting skills, photography, gardening – they share their sideline with co-workers and receive welcome recognition in return.

5. Let Staff Honour Each Other

The best recognition often comes from peers, not managers. Build it into your celebration.

Instead of Secret Santa, try a Koha Box Exchange – gifts focused on thought, not price tags. Think local treats, handmade crafts, or something bespoke and meaningful. 

Or hold an All-Staff Shout-Out, where peer-submitted thankyous are read aloud. Public recognition matters. Employment Hero’s Wellness At Work Report found connection with colleagues and bosses was crucial for occupational fulfilment. And when hiring costs an average $6,000 per role, retention is a great investment.

There’ll always be partygoers who pine for the old days. But with a bit of creativity, you can stage a modern celebration that shows gratitude, strengthens culture and paves the way for a new year without a hangover or credit card bill.