"The Office" TV Show Knows How To Party!

Holiday Office Party Ideas

By Jeanne Benedict
Not only does NBC’s hit TV show, “The Office”, entertain us each week with a brilliant cast and hilarious plots, they have changed the way America celebrates in the workplace. Here’s how to throw your own holiday office party with a Dunder-Mifflin flair, from a "Yankee Swap Party” to “The Margarita Party.” I secretly aspire to be Angela Martin, the office party, planning pro on the show. Her “Nutcracker Christmas Party” was a classic!

I became a fan of “The Office” when my husband worked on the show’s prop team for many episodes that featured parties. Putting together an office party in your actual place of work can be tricky. If you’re not hiring a caterer, or ordering take-out, hot food needs to be microwaveable or toaster-oven friendly. And the cube-farm set up can create decorating challenges. I’ve embellished upon some of “The Office” party themes to help you throw a holiday office party just like they do on TV.

"The Office" Inspired Holiday Office Party Ideas

Nutcracker Christmas Party

In the episode, “A Benihana Christmas,” Angela plans a lovely “Nutcracker Christmas Party”, which is rivaled by Pam and Karen’s “Margarita Party.” In the end, Pam brings everyone together for one, big, happy affair.

Decor: Create a table display with wooden soldier nutcrackers of various shapes and sizes in the center of your conference room table.
Food: 25 Holiday Cookie Recipes
Drink: Spike hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps or Bailey’s Irish Cream, and offer a variety of toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy cane stir sticks.
Fun & Games: Cookie Swap. Each employee brings a dozen cookies for the buffet. Cookies are munched during the party and then collected by all to take home.

A Festive Margarita Party

The Office has had its share of fiestas, from Oscar’s “Welcome Back” party to the famed Christmas Margarita bash, where Kevin belts out a karaoke version of “You Oughta’ Know”.

Decor: Use Mexican blankets as tablecloths and decorate with cactus plants. Hang holiday ornaments from cactus limbs for a funky, festive atmosphere.
Food: Set up salsa bar stations around the office and put chips in the rims of big Sombreros. Round it out with take-out food from a Mexican restaurant.
Drink: Rent Margarita machines like they did on the show.
Fun & Games: Karaoke!

Yankee Swap

Who can forget Michael Scott screeching, “Yaaaaaankee Swap” throughout this episode! Michael turns a “Secret Santa” party, where everyone has bought a specific gift for their chosen co-worker, into a random gift exchange known as a “Yankee Swap”.

Decor: Poinsettias set on a cream colored cloth would be perfect for this party.
Food: Potluck of “office friendly” comfort food, including a platter of sliced roast turkey or ham, and side dishes in attractive, microwaveable serving ware.
Drink: Beer and wine
Fun & Games: Yankee Swap. Each person contributes a gift. The gifts can have a theme, such as “office desktop” or “under $20”. A random drawing of numbers determines who gets first pick of the gifts. The “swap” concept is that another person, who picks their gift after you have chosen yours, can “swap” gifts with you if they like yours better.

Holiday Casino Night

Remember that wonderfully awkward moment when Michael invited both Jan and Carol to the office casino night? When the show wrapped for that season, the cast and crew celebrated with an awesome casino party in Hollywood. This party theme always hits the jackpot!

Decor: The red and green motif in gaming felts already has a holiday feel! Add red and green poker chips to evergreen wreaths and hang them on office doors!
Food: Ask everyone to bring a platter of finger food or appetizers, with touches of red and green.
Drink: A Martini cart would be ideal. Offer a selection of mixers and garnishes to please those who fancy Apple Martinis, as well as the “straight up” crowd.
Fun & Games: If you have the budget, hire a Casino company to execute this party. Or purchase gaming felts and supplies online, and hire a couple of croupiers and dealers.

A Cozy December Luau

“The Office’s” Inventory Luau was one of my favorites. Who knows how much work actually got done at the party, but office morale was high and you can bet Meredith, the loveable office lush, had her share of Mai Tais!

Decor: Clear off a desk or two for a tabletop tiki bar. Hit the party store for leis, coconut cups, and tiki accents. Deck the doorways with island-themed light strings.
Food: Chinese Take-Out or check out the appetizer recipes in my Vintage Hawaiian party.
Drink: Pina Coladas with Red & Green Cherries
Fun & Games: Along with a game of limbo, organize a Best Hawaiian Screen Saver Contest. Invite employees to participate by posting an island-themed screen saver on their desktop computers. The contest can be a winner-take-all or you can have categories such as, Funniest Photo, Most Romantic, or Best Sunset.

Office Party Idea Contest

Share your office party ideas for a chance to win a fabulous gift basket. Here’s how:

  • Submit your best office party idea by clicking here.
  • Name your Party - and be creative! Include the word "Office" in the name and then describe the party!
  • Check my blog Partini to see if you won!

We’re giving away 1 basket a week for 4 weeks. The first winner will be announced on Monday, November 26, 2007. Subscribe to my my blog to see the top ideas and check the weekly winners! If you have photos, send them! Simply log in, click Create Content, and then Image.

First Week's Prize is this "Taste of Italy" Gourmet Gift Basket from 1-800-Flowers!

Taste of Italy Gift Basket"Taste of Italy" Gift Basket from 1(800)Flowers!
Abbondanza! Share the culinary excellence of Italy with this "Taste of Italy" Gift Basket. Treat yourself or favorite food connoisseur to a magnificent feast of gourmet Italian cheese, sauce, pasta and more! The winner will receive this spectacular selection of imported gourmet delicacies in a handsome, reusable basket.

* Celebrations reserves the right to substitute gift baskets subject to availability.

 

 

 

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