Last-Minute Virtual Holiday Party Ideas for Procrastinators
We’ve all been there - it’s mid-December, the holidays are around the corner, and someone suddenly asks:
“Wait… are we doing anything for the team this year?”
Don’t panic.
You can absolutely pull off a fun, meaningful, and professional virtual holiday party - even at the last minute.
Here are fast, creative, and low-prep virtual holiday party ideas that you can plan today and still look like you had it on the calendar for weeks.
🎁 1. Host a Virtual White Elephant Gift Exchange
If you only have time for one activity - make it this one.
With White Elephant Online, you can host your entire game virtually in minutes. Everyone joins a shared link, unwraps digital gifts, and “steals” from one another. The game practically runs itself - you just show up and have fun.
✨ Why it’s perfect: Easy, funny, and works for any group size.
🕒 Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
💻 Best For: 8–100 people (though you can split larger teams into groups)
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🧠 2. Quick Holiday Trivia
Use Kahoot! or Crowdpurr and pull from existing holiday trivia sets - no need to create your own. If you want a personal touch, sprinkle in a few inside jokes or company-specific questions.
💡 Example: “Which teammate once wore a Santa hat to every Zoom call?”
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
💻 Best For: 10–50 people
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎬 3. Holiday Movie Emoji Game
Show a few emojis and have your team guess the Christmas movie:
🎅🏠👦 = Home Alone
🧣⛄ = Frosty the Snowman
👻🎁 = The Nightmare Before Christmas
No tech setup, no stress - just drop the clues into the chat or slides.
🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
💻 Best For: Any group
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🧩 4. The 5-Second Holiday Challenge
Put team members on the spot with this simple game:
“Name three Christmas songs.”
“Name three things you’d never regift.”
“Name three gifts under $10.”
The countdown pressure makes it hilarious - and completely boring-proof.
🕒 Prep Time: None
💻 Best For: Small to mid-sized teams
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍪 5. Mug Decorating or Cookie Decorating Showdown
Let everyone show off their inner artist!
Have team members decorate cookies, mugs, or even holiday ornaments at home, then share their masterpieces on camera.
Vote on fun categories like:
🏆 “Most Festive”
🎨 “Best Use of Icing as Glue”
😂 “Looks Nothing Like the Picture”
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
💻 Best For: Creative teams
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
🎤 6. Holiday Karaoke (or “Name That Tune”)
If your group likes music, try karaoke with YouTube karaoke tracks or make it a quick “Name That Tune” competition instead.
Keep performances short - or skip the singing and build a team playlist instead.
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
💻 Best For: Outgoing or playful teams
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🧑🎨 7. Virtual Background Contest
Have everyone show up with their funniest or most festive background - from Santa’s workshop to tropical Christmas.
Vote on categories like:
“Most Festive”
“Most Likely to Crash Zoom”
“Looks Like It Took Way Too Long”
🕒 Prep Time: 2 minutes
💻 Best For: Remote or hybrid teams
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🪄 8. Two Truths and a Lie: Holiday Edition
Each person shares two true and one false story about their holiday past.
It’s quick, hilarious, and surprisingly revealing.
🎄 “I’ve never had eggnog.”
🎁 “I once wrapped a gift entirely in duct tape.”
❄️ “I collect snow globes.”
🕒 Prep Time: None
💻 Best For: All teams
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🥂 9. Virtual Toast or Year-in-Review
Sometimes simple is best. Have everyone raise a glass and share one thing they’re grateful for or proud of from the past year.
You can end with a slideshow of team highlights or a lighthearted awards round.
🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes (more if you do the slideshow)
💻 Best For: Any team size
🎯 Procrastinator Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎉 10. Combine a Few for a “Mini Party”
Short on time? Combine a few quick activities:
White Elephant Online (main event)
Holiday trivia or emoji game (warm-up)
Virtual toast or background contest (closing)
That’s a full 45–60 minute party - planned in under 30 minutes total.
💻 Make It Effortless with White Elephant Online
If you’re reading this, you’re probably the person tasked with pulling this together - fast.
Good news: White Elephant Online was made for you.
It’s fun, easy, and requires almost zero setup. Just create a game, invite your team, and let the chaos unfold.