Can anyone give me some ideas for office Christmas parties? I want to plan something other than just a dinner.

Answer 1

Well, I think you are in California, around Los Angeles. I don't know your budget, however.

A dinner on a boat, such as on the SF Bay or out near Catalina Island, would be great. Or you can simply charter a private boat to take you to Catalina, then you could have dinner there.

Some companies actually pay for a small cruise to Ensenada from LA, as a Christmas gift\party for their employees. The cruise takes 3 days.

Answer 2

A White Elephant gift exchange. Everyone brings something from their house that they no longer want or need...they gift wrap it and put it under the tree when they arrive. Some items in the past have been refrigerator magnets, sweat socks (clean!), strange gifts that person wants to pass along to someone else (like a mermaid clock...)
I tried to explain it, but it got complicated, so here's a website that explains the rules better. http://www.partygamecentral.com/pgcstandard/gametmpstd.asp?gn=WHITE+ELEPHANT+GIFT+EXCHANGE
This game used to be a standard for our school staff Christmas parties.

Also, there's the old clothespin game....everytime a person crosses their legs, you can steal their clothespin (or safety pin)...person with most pins at end of party gets a prize.

I went to a Christmas party once where we were told upon entering that we had to preempt every sentencewith the words "Ho Ho." If we did not and we were called on it, we'd have to give up our clothespin....again..person with most pins gets a prize.

You could do the White Elephant game and serve desserts and coffee, instead of having a big dinner. That way, you get to start a little later...it's less formal, and everyone goes away having had a laughing great time!

Answer 3

What about doing something for charity? Everyone can bring a present for less fortunate kids and then you can wrap them at the party?
You can still do a lot of these other suggestions but this would be a nice addition.
Other than that... I went on a harbor cruise in Newport one year. That was a good way to celebrate Christmas in Southern California. We had dinner and dancing on it also.

Answer 4

Here are a Couple of Ideas
Have a Secret Santa Game
Have a Christmas Cookie Exchange
Have everyone bring their favorite holiday dish
Sing Christmas Carols

Answer 5

You could go to a Murder Mystery Dinner or another theme type dinner like Tony and Tina's Wedding.

Another fun idea is drinks and karaoke but you might feel a bit stupid the next day at the office if you were busting out the Tiffany or falling on your knees belting out Bon Jovi.

Answer 6

How about Karaoke or some sort of live entertainment. Something cheesey like a clown or magacian (just for laughs), or even better a real comedian and then give people a chance after wards to do their own comedy on stage.

Answer 7

Well, what I have done for the last 2 years is this. Hired a private chef to come to my home and cook a fabulous meal. (its not as expensive as it sounds if you know how to shop around) Have them provide the appetizers and main course. Have the office staff provide their favorite holiday dessert and also have everyone bring an ornament wrapped up for an exchange. Nice cocktails, nice surroundings, fun exchange and darn good food.

Answer 8

I love the fake gambling tables. Give everyone a certain amout of money and let them do roulette, blackjack, craps etc. The person who cashes in the most at the end of the night wins a nice prize.

Answer 9

The best one I went to, they rented a bus, gave drinks and snacks on the way and drove us to an old english style pub place where the staff wore period clothes and you had your choice of eating with your hands or a huge wood spoon. The only downside was that the English of that day ate turnips. Ugh.

Answer 10

Take everyone to Santa Anita Park or some other racetrack; make sure you serve spiked mint juleps, though!