Office Holiday Party Entertainment Ideas (That Aren’t Forced Fun)
The best office holiday party entertainment is low-pressure and leaves people with something to take home. A live photo magnet station fits that description: employees scan a QR code, upload a photo, and walk away with a finished, sturdy magnet in under five minutes. Nobody has to perform, nobody has to win, and the keepsake is a photo of their own people.
If your team groans at the words "mandatory fun," you're not alone. The best holiday parties give people an easy reason to mix, laugh, and take a picture together, then let them leave when they're ready. Here's how to choose entertainment your whole team will actually enjoy.
What makes good office party entertainment?
Before you pick an activity, run it through three questions:
- Is it optional? People should be able to join in or hang back without it being awkward.
- Does it mix teams? Holiday parties are the one night departments end up in the same room.
- Does it last past the night? Trivia fades by Monday. A keepsake stays on a desk or a fridge through January.
8 office holiday party entertainment ideas
1. A live photo magnet station
Employees (and partners or guests, if invited) take photos together, scan a QR code, upload their favorite, and get a finished magnet in under five minutes. The photos are of your people: the finance team with the folks from sales, the new hire with the boss who's been there twenty years. It works for every age and comfort level, because it's a photo and a scan.
2. Holiday trivia
Good for competitive teams. It can turn into the same few loud voices, though, so keep rounds short.
3. White elephant gift swap
A classic that people either love or dread. Set a price cap and a clear rule list so it stays friendly.
4. Karaoke
High energy for outgoing teams, high anxiety for everyone else. Best as an extra, not the main event.
5. A professional photo booth
Fun, though guests usually leave with nothing, or a strip they'll lose. (We compare the two in our photo magnet station vs. photo booth guide.)
6. A cookie decorating or hot cocoa bar
Easy, cozy, and works for families if you invite them. Doesn't mix teams on its own.
7. A casual game corner
Cornhole, giant Jenga, or board games in a corner give people something to do with their hands.
8. A team awards or shout-out moment
Warm when done well. Keep it short and specific.
Why a photo magnet station works so well for work events
Most office party activities are things people do once and forget. A photo magnet station is something people keep: a team photo on a fridge, a funny candid on a monitor, a magnet on a locker. Magnets live where people see them every day, so the party keeps working long after the decorations come down.
It's also friendly for introverts. Taking a photo with a coworker is the easiest icebreaker there is, and nobody has to speak in front of a crowd.
Quality matters. Some vendors price lower because they print on thin, flimsy magnet sheets that curl, fade, and slide down the fridge. Every Moment Magnets makes sturdy, quality magnets built to last, so what your team takes home is still on the fridge next December.
You can also add your company's look to every magnet. A custom overlay (your logo colors, the year, or a holiday theme) is layered onto each photo. See more on our Business Magnets page.
What a live magnet station costs
Here's what a live photo magnet station from Every Moment Magnets looks like for an office holiday party:
- Live photo magnet station: starts at $750 for two hours and includes everything you need to create a mobile magnet cart experience your guests will never forget. A backdrop is included if you'd like one, and so is a custom overlay designed to match your event (your company name, the year, or a holiday theme, layered onto every magnet). Both are included, not upgrade tiers.
- Smaller or shorter parties: $350 an hour, which suits a team lunch or a short open house.
- Magnet arch rental: a 7-sided arch with 14 custom magnets for $150, a nice way to display team photos from the year.
Some vendors quote by guest count and cap it at one magnet per guest. At Every Moment Magnets, magnets are unlimited while we're there.
How to plan it (a simple timeline)
- Now (mid-October): Pick your date and check that the venue has a small footprint and an outlet for a cart. Every Moment Magnets books a few events per month, so December dates go fast.
- 4–6 weeks out: Decide on the overlay: logo colors, the year, or a holiday theme.
- 2 weeks out: Confirm your headcount and the timeline. Two hours is the base station time and fits most office parties.
- The night of: Set the station near the bar or the entrance, where people gather. Mention it once in the opening remarks, then let word of mouth do the rest.
For more on timing, see our guide to when to start planning your company holiday party, or explore everything included on our Weddings and Events page.
Frequently asked questions
What are good office holiday party entertainment ideas?
The best ones are low-pressure and let different teams mix: a live photo magnet station, a short trivia round, a white elephant swap, or a cocoa bar. A photo magnet station is the one that sends everyone home with a keepsake.
How much does a photo magnet station cost for an office party?
A live photo magnet station from Every Moment Magnets starts at $750 for two hours and includes everything you need to create a mobile magnet cart experience, with a backdrop if you'd like one and a custom overlay designed to match your event. Smaller or shorter events are $350 an hour.
How long does it take to get a magnet?
Under five minutes. Guests scan a QR code, upload a photo, and the finished magnet is ready almost right away.
Can the magnets include our company name or a holiday theme?
Yes. A custom overlay designed to match your event is included, so your company name, the year, or a holiday theme can be layered onto every magnet.
What size are the magnets?
Magnets come in 2x2 inch and 2.5x2.5 inch sizes, and they're sturdy, not thin flimsy sheets that curl or slide down the fridge.
How far ahead should I book for a December party?
As early as you can. Every Moment Magnets books a few events per month, and December fills up first.