12 Cheap Office Holiday Party Ideas for a party that runs itself
Cheap Office Holiday Party: big vibes
Looking for office holiday party? Start by choosing a vibe and one or two anchor moments, then keep the rest simple. These 12 cheap office holiday party ideas give you specific, do-able options with enough detail to actually try them.
Plan this with Outside
Ready to make it happen?
Office Holiday Party Planning Checklist
12 Cheap Office Holiday Party Ideas
Table Topic Spinner (No Small Talk): Cheap Office Holiday two-team challenge
Write 20 questions on slips and put them in a jar at the table. Announce supplies in one tote so people self-organize.
Soft Theme Dress Code: one-pattern-only (stripes, plaid, etc.) (Cheap Office
Make the dress code easy to join (one color, one accessory, one vibe). Run supplies in one tote so guests can jump in any time.
Centerpiece Activity: question-of-the-night cards (Cheap Office Holiday
Put the activity in the middle of the table so it happens naturally. Announce one sign with the rules so you are not explaining it all night.
Theme in a Bag: Coastal Kit (Cheap Office Holiday photo-ready mix)
Pick one color palette, one prop, and one signature snack that match the theme. Announce three stations max so energy stays high.
Backyard Game Circuit (3 Stations): Cheap Office Holiday citrus tournament
Run three simple stations and rotate every 12 minutes. Announce a "final round" cue so guests can jump in any time.
Mini Craft Bar: bead keychains (Cheap Office Holiday mini tournament)
Keep it to one simple project with all supplies pre-portioned in cups. Run one photo spot with good light so energy stays high.
Three-Round Snacks (Savory, Sweet, Surprise): Cheap Office Holiday two-team vote
Plan snacks in three timed drops so the night has momentum. Keep three stations max so cleanup is one bag.
Memory Lane Timeline (3 Eras): Cheap Office Holiday blind-vote reveal
Print 12 photos from three eras and tape them in a simple timeline. Write supplies in one tote so guests can jump in any time.
"How Well Do You Know Office?" Trivia: Cheap Office Holiday late-night finale
Collect answers from Office in advance and print 10 questions. Announce one sign with the rules so you are not explaining it all night.
Mocktail Mixer Board + Garnish Bar: Cheap Office Holiday spicy tournament
Choose 2 juices, 2 fizzy mixers, and 3 garnishes (citrus, mint, berries). Run a simple scoreboard so it feels like a real moment.
Story Toast Cards (Short, Not Awkward): Cheap Office Holiday two-team challenge
Hand out 3 toast prompts at the start and collect volunteers quietly. Keep a simple scoreboard so people self-organize.
Photo Prompt Wall: the year in review (Cheap Office Holiday spicy round)
Tape up 12 quick prompts and one good light source. Announce one photo spot with good light so it feels like a real moment.
Home Screen Widgets
Beautiful countdown widgets that sit right on your home screen.
Lock Screen Widgets
See your countdown without even unlocking your phone.
Live Activities
Real-time countdown updates on your Dynamic Island.
Plan it with Outside
Pick an idea, create an event, and invite your crew — all in one app. Outside makes it easy to go from inspiration to real plans.
More ideas
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good cheap office holiday party ideas?
Start with one clear vibe and one anchor moment, then keep the rest simple. For cheap office holiday party, that usually means a shared activity, an easy food plan, and one photo-worthy detail.
How do you plan cheap office holiday party without it feeling stressful?
Use a short plan with a start, middle, and end, and make choices that reduce coordination. Assign one small job to one person (music, food, or supplies) so you are not doing everything yourself.
How do you do cheap office holiday party on a small budget?
Pick one low-cost splurge (like a dessert flight or a small decor moment), then keep everything else simple. Buying fewer things on purpose usually looks better than buying lots of random stuff.