Hosted vs. Self-Service Virtual Holiday Party: Which Is Right for Your Team?
The holiday season is fast approaching, and for many companies, that means planning a virtual holiday party. Whether your team is fully remote or spread across multiple offices, a well-planned online celebration is a great way to connect, celebrate the year’s wins, and have some well-deserved fun.
But before you start sending calendar invites, there’s one big decision to make:
👉 Should you choose a fully hosted virtual party, or use a more self-service platform to run the event yourself?
Both approaches have their strengths. Hosted experiences can feel polished and effortless, while self-service options often give you more flexibility and personality. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each to help you choose the best fit for your team.
✨ What Are Fully Hosted Virtual Holiday Parties?
Fully hosted virtual parties are like booking an “event-in-a-box.” You hire a company to plan, organize, and run the entire event, often with professional hosts, entertainers, and technical support included.
These experiences can vary widely, but some popular examples include:
🎤 Live game shows or trivia nights led by charismatic hosts
🍳 Virtual cooking or cocktail-making classes
🧩 Interactive escape rooms or mystery games
🧙 Magic shows or performances streamed live
Typically, hosted parties are scheduled at a set time. The vendor runs the show, and your team joins as participants. It’s a hands-off way to deliver a structured, memorable experience—especially for large groups.
👍 Pros of Hosted Events
✅ Professional facilitation
Hosted experiences come with trained emcees and activity leaders who keep the energy high and the event flowing smoothly. You shouldn’t have to worry about awkward silences or tech hiccups.
✨ High production value
Many hosted events include polished visuals, custom branding, and interactive components that feel like a professional production.
👨👩👧 Great for large or mixed groups
If your team includes hundreds of participants or spans multiple departments, a hosted experience can keep everyone engaged without relying on internal organizers.
🧘♀️ Minimal planning required
Once you book the event, most vendors handle the logistics—making this option ideal for busy HR teams or office managers.
👎 Cons of Hosted Events
💰 Higher cost
Hosted experiences typically charge per person, which can quickly add up to thousands of dollars —especially for larger teams. Premium experiences may also include additional service fees.
⏰ Less flexibility
Vendors often have fixed time slots, formats, and participant limits. If your team needs something custom or prefers a casual drop-in style party, hosted formats can feel rigid.
🧭 Can feel impersonal
While entertaining, some hosted experiences are more like watching a show than celebrating with your colleagues. Team bonding can take a back seat to performance.
🤝 Limited interaction
Because the focus is on the host or activity, there’s often less room for spontaneous conversation and inside jokes—the stuff that makes holiday parties memorable.
🧰 What Are Self-Service Party Platforms?
Self-service platforms give you the tools to run a virtual party on your own terms. Instead of hiring a host, you choose and facilitate the activities that fit your team’s personality.
These platforms include:
🕹 Online games or collaborative challenges
🎁 Virtual gift exchange platforms like White Elephant Online
📋 DIY escape room kits or trivia decks
🧑💻 Video calls with structured DIY activities
You set the schedule and guide the group through the experience. It’s more hands-on—but also more customizable.
👍 Pros of Self-Service Platforms
💸 Lower cost
Self-service options are typically far more affordable. Many platforms charge a flat fee per game or event, making them ideal for budget-conscious teams.
🕒 Flexible timing
You set the schedule and pace. Want to host a casual lunch-hour party or a 90-minute blowout? Both are possible.
👥 More organic interaction
Because these activities are usually peer-led, teams often chat, joke, and interact more naturally. It feels less like a presentation and more like a shared experience.
🛠 Easy to customize
You can mix and match activities, add your own traditions, or keep things simple. Self-service platforms let you reflect your team’s unique culture.
🌎 Perfect for remote and hybrid groups
Many self-service tools are designed for distributed teams and work seamlessly across devices.
👎 Cons of Self-Service Platforms
📋 Requires internal organization
Someone needs to plan and facilitate. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but a bit of prep goes a long way.
⚡ Group energy matters
Without a professional emcee, the vibe depends on participants—so choose an activity that fits your team culture.
🧑💻 Some setup required
Platforms are usually easy to use but benefit from a quick tech check beforehand.
📝 Which Option Is Right for Your Team?
Here are a few factors to consider when deciding:
Team size: Hosted events can be great for big groups, but self-service shines with small to midsize teams.
Budget: Hosted experiences often cost more. Self-service is typically more affordable without sacrificing fun.
Desired vibe: Hosted events deliver structure; self-service offers flexibility and personality.
Planning capacity: Hosted = low effort, higher cost. Self-service = higher involvement, lower cost.
👉 Some teams even blend the two approaches—for example, starting with a short hosted segment, then switching to a fun DIY activity like a virtual gift exchange.
🎁 Why Self-Service Works So Well for Holiday Parties
For many teams, self-service platforms hit the sweet spot: affordable, flexible, and personal. It’s the end of the year, and you want to actually connect, reflect and celebrate with your team in a way that feels organic and real.
With White Elephant Online, you can host a virtual gift exchange for any group size, anywhere. Setup takes just minutes, and the intuitive game play design makes it easy for anyone to run the game —leaving plenty of time for laughter, friendly stealing, and holiday cheer.
🎄 Conclusion
Both hosted and self-service virtual holiday parties can be fantastic options—it all depends on your team’s goals.
If you want a high-production, low-effort experience, hosted events are a great fit.
If you prefer flexibility, team interaction, and lower costs, self-service platforms like White Elephant Online are hard to beat.
Whichever route you choose, the most important thing is to create space for your team to connect and celebrate.
🎉 Happy party planning!