1. Team holiday trivia
Split into teams of 4–6, play 4–6 short rounds (movies, music, traditions around the world, a round about your own company). Teams write answers on one sheet, so nobody has to shout an answer alone.
Hybrid holiday party games that include everyone
Updated: 2026-10-19
In a hybrid party the remote people usually lose: bad audio, no idea what’s going on, no way to join in. Choose games whose ‘game board’ is a shared screen and whose answers can come from a phone or a chat.
Make the remote group its own team (or pair each remote person with an on-site buddy) so they compete instead of spectate.
The games
2. Emoji Christmas movie quiz
Show a row of emojis (🏠👦😱) and teams guess the film or song. Works on a projector, in a video call or printed on the table. Ten emojis take about ten minutes.
3. Party bingo
A bingo card with things that will happen at the party (“someone mentions the snow”, “find a colleague who has never seen Home Alone”). First full line wins. Gives quiet people a reason to start conversations.
4. Zoomed-in picture guess
Show an extreme close-up of a holiday object (a pine needle, tinsel, a gingerbread corner) and zoom out step by step. Fewer steps = more points.
5. Ugly sweater (or desk) contest
Optional dress-up; everyone votes in categories like ‘most festive’ and ‘best DIY’. Remote teams can vote on camera backgrounds instead.
6. Year-in-review awards
Collect nominations beforehand in light categories (“best rescue of a deadline”, “most helpful in the team chat”). Only positive categories – nobody should be roasted against their will.
7. Holiday this-or-that
Read two options (“mulled wine or hot chocolate?”, “real tree or fake tree?”); people move to a side of the room or vote with emoji in the chat. A perfect 5-minute warm-up.
8. Photo scavenger hunt
Teams get a list of 15 photo tasks (“the whole team in one reflection”, “something older than the company”). Photos go into a shared album; the host shows the best ones.
Host tips
- One good conference microphone near the host matters more than any game.
- Show all questions on the shared screen and in the call at the same time.
- Collect answers digitally (form or poll) so both groups are equal.
- Give remote participants the same prizes – send vouchers by email.
FAQ
How do we score fairly between office and remote teams?
Use timed rounds with written answers via a form; nobody benefits from being loudest in the room.
Which games should we avoid?
Anything physical (gift-wrap race, charades) unless remote people get their own version.