Creative Virtual Holiday Party Ideas Worth Trying

Send Digital Greetings Cards

If you and your loved ones are busy during the holidays, you may opt to exchange e-greeting cards. While it may seem boring, why not have a theme for your virtual card exchange?

You can award prizes for the most festive or the funniest e-card. Select a few from your group to be judges. The winner could receive a digital gift certificate to keep everything virtual.

Consider Long-Distance Gift Giving

The holidays often include some sort of gift exchange, and several websites and apps can help you organize.

Elfster is one of the most popular choices; it allows you to create a wishlist from Amazon, among other websites. The name drawing is completely randomized and doesn’t require any particular platform to run.

No matter which tool you use, you can easily exchange names and send your gift without worrying about running to the post office.

Have a Festive Background Contest

To get your virtual partygoers in the holiday mood, why not have a contest for the best or most festive background?

It could be a virtual one, or you could suggest your loved ones decorate a little space where they will enjoy the festivities. This idea sets up a fun and easy game and helps everyone feel merrier for your virtual holiday party.

Hundreds of webcam backgrounds are available in apps like Zoom, or you can suggest that your partygoers create their own.

Choose the Best Virtual Venue

So you have the basics of your virtual party lined up, but what should you use to gather your friends and family? Several solutions are perfect for any type of virtual party. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams work on almost any platform or web browser.

However, one particular platform shines in the virtual party department. Because its creators originally had gamers in mind, Discord allows both audio and video and has several features built in for entertainment, too. You’ll also find some fun holiday activities, including several games.

YouTube is also available in Discord, and you can watch videos together, use a virtual whiteboard perfect for a rowdy Pictionary match, and even listen to music channels. With quite a few plugins that you can install on your private Discord server to add to the joyous occasion, the virtual holiday party ideas are endless.

Have a Virtual Ugly Sweater Contest

So you have cards, gifts, a festive area to celebrate in, and a virtual solution for everything to take place; you still need to look the part, too.

You can make another party game by having a select number of friends or family members judge the ugliest (or most festive) sweater, fostering a sense of connection. With a webcam, you can have a virtual catwalk where everyone struts their holiday stuff.

For a more inclusive vote, use something like Zoom’s Raise Hand feature for those voting on each sweater. If you’re struggling to find the perfect jumper, why not make your own using a sweatshirt? Check sites like Pinterest for tons of silly or fun sweater ideas.

Have a Variety of Activities to Engage Everyone

If festive backgrounds or ugly sweaters aren’t your thing, you have other options to keep your virtual partygoers engaged and entertained.

Discord has a variety of games built into its interface. You can also install a few activities, such as chess or trivia, in Slack to start the fun. Third-party sites are also perfect for online games.

Steam has a Tabletop Simulator that includes board and card games, such as Uno, for online play. Other sites like Tabletopia and Board Game Arena have other online options to suit anyone’s taste. 

A popular and easy game is a scavenger hunt: Create a list of common items that most people would have in their homes. The first person to find them and show them off wins. You can easily theme games for any holiday to amp up the gaiety.

If you have a small budget, several sites offer online escape rooms. Just like their real-world counterparts, these require teamwork to solve and are a great way to get everyone involved.