Spice Up Your Office Holiday Party with Alternative Work Christmas Party Ideas

The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate and thank your staff for all their hard work during the year, and there's no better way to do so than with our work Christmas party ideas in Australia! Instead of the cliche team dinner and drinks, we’re here to help you find fresh and exciting ideas to help spread some holiday cheer and bring your team together for some fun out-of-office bonding.

From cocktail making classes in Sydney to clay hand building workshops in Perth, there’s a variety of unique Christmas party ideas in your local neighbourhood that your team will love. No matter what kind of preferences or personalities within your team there are, our Christmas party activities help ensure that everyone has a fun time!

Interested in learning more? Read on to discover our top 5 picks for alternative work Christmas party ideas to spice up your next office holiday party and make it one to remember.

Shake, mix and muddle your favourite cocktails in Sydney

Why not spice up your Sydney office party by getting behind the bar? Cocktail making classes are a fabulous way to get your staff mingling, learning a new skill together and getting to know each other outside the office. At Li’l Darlin in Redfern, bartenders will first start with a cocktail making demonstration, then guide you through how to make your own cocktail (or mocktail) from their signature menu. Your team will get to muddle herbs, shake mixes, and layer spirits to create delicious bespoke cocktails to enjoy during the class. Along with getting behind the bar, they’ll also get to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner organised by Li’l Darlin—think classic margarita pizzas, arancini balls and a sweet brownie swirl. Your team will absolutely love doing something different this Christmas party, where everyone will be able to get into the festive spirit and leave the class with fond, new memories.

Personalise your own DIY terrarium in Melbourne

For teams who need a mindful break, terrarium-building workshops make for memorable and fun Melbourne Christmas parties. Take your colleagues to The Plant Whisperer in Brunswick and they'll learn how to make their very own DIY terrarium. It’s the perfect way to take their mind off screens and instead get their hands dirty. Guided by your passionate teacher, employees will learn how to layer soil, mosses and succulents to create a mini jungle to take home or put on their desks. Not a green thumb? No problem! Your team will even learn how to take care of their own terrarium long after the Christmas party.

As a bonus, terrarium-making can be a relaxing and creative activity during the holiday season. After a busy year of work, it’s amazing how it feels to simply sit and create something with your hands. Step inside a calm and friendly space, where your group is surrounded by nature, flowers and plants and can slow down their busy minds. It’s a therapeutic experience that makes for a chilled holiday celebration, which is why they are one of our best alternative work party ideas in Melbourne.

Paint and sip the night away in Brisbane City

Whether your team are a bunch of creatives or haven’t picked up a paintbrush since high school, a paint and sip party in Brisbane allows everyone to have a good time! At Wesley Taylor Art Studios they believe everyone has a talent for artistic flair, so come along and find your inner creativity. He’ll guide your group through a step-by-step painting session, where even complete beginners can create a unique masterpiece. Depending upon what paintings your team chooses, you could learn how to paint Christmas trees, palm springs, flamingos and even a sea turtle.

The best part about this Christmas paint n sip class is that it’s in the dark! Your team will get to use fluoro paints under UV lights and see their canvas pop and glow in the dark. It’s an amazing way to let go of creative guidelines and just have fun with the artistic process, all while sipping on a glass of their favourite beverage. Sounds like a perfect night out? Then, take your colleagues to Brisbane CBD and get ready for a fun and festive experience that your team will be talking about for years to come.

Find out more about planning an unforgettable Christmas party here.

Make your own handmade pottery in Perth

Looking for alternative company Christmas party ideas in Perth? A pottery class could be the perfect experience for your team! Head to your local Perth studio in Mount Lawley and let Susi Koessler help you sculpt custom pottery pieces to cherish forever. With her expert guidance, each person will learn how to shape and mould their own ceramic pieces from clay, from quirky coffee mugs to trinket bowls or platters. Whether they are complete beginners or pottery lovers, everyone is able to have a fun time with clay! After the demonstration is over, colleagues are free to tap into their inner artist, sink hands into clay and catch up with their friends over complimentary snacks.

Once the pottery has been kiln-fired, glazed and finished, simply pick up the unique ceramic pieces everyone has made and be amazed at what beautiful items you can make from ordinary clay. Your team will feel so proud taking it home and will always be reminded of the fun memories you’ve made with each other during the Christmas season!

Head to a flavourful cheese making class in Adelaide

For foodie teams, you can’t go wrong with a cheese making class in Adelaide. Led by expert cheesemakers at Cultured Cheese School, your group will learn all about making halloumi cheese from scratch. From heating up the milk to cutting and cooking the curds, they’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the time and care it takes to create halloumi cheese. At the end of the class, they will get to nibble on a selection of artisanal cheeses and sip a glass of Australian wine. Employees will even get to take home their own halloumi cheese, as well as a booklet of all the tips and tricks they learn for a future cheese making adventure. Help your team find new passions or hobbies outside of work and most importantly celebrate the festive season in style.

Planning a work Christmas party has never been easier with our meaningful and alternative experiences in Australia! Shake up the usual routine with these creative ideas that put a festive spin on these hands-on activities. From cocktail mixing to terrarium making, you’re sure to have a jolly good time making merry and bright memories with your team in 2024.