Office Christmas party: 7 theme and costume ideas
The office Christmas party usually gets stuck not on the venue or the snacks, but on one line in the invitation: “Dress code – according to the theme”. One colleague takes it as a red tie, another arrives in a full Santa suit with boots, and a third of the team decides the theme doesn’t concern them. In the group photo afterwards stand three elves and twenty people in work jumpers.
A theme on its own solves nothing if nobody explains what people are expected to do. Below are seven Christmas party themes for an adult team, what you can realistically wear for each one, and how to write the invitation so everyone understands it the same way. For more general, non-seasonal ideas, see our post about themes for a company party; here we talk only about December.
Themed Christmas party: how much dressing up to ask for
Most themes fail for the people for whom they are too demanding. An accountant who comes straight from her desk and a designer who spent two weeks choosing a costume need different options. So before announcing a theme, decide what level of costume you expect.
| Level | What you ask for | Example | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Accent | One themed accessory | Christmas hat, tree-shaped glasses, striped socks | Large, mixed-age team, party right after work |
| 2. Colour code | Clothes in the named colours plus one accessory | Red and white, silver and white, gold and black | You want a uniform group photo but not everyone wants a costume |
| 3. Full look | A costume in the theme | Elves, the 1920s, the 80s | Smaller team, party in the evening or at the weekend, room to change |
Offering a choice works best. For example: “Theme – the 80s. Minimum – a bright headband, maximum – the full sporty outfit.” Then nobody feels forced, and the colleague who really prepared is not standing alone in the room.
Seven Christmas party themes for adults
We picked the themes based on how they look in a real room with real people: whether you can join with a single accent, whether it would feel awkward for older colleagues, and whether the theme can be explained in one sentence.
1. Santa’s workshop
A classic that works, because there are roles for everyone. One Santa, a few elves, and everyone else as “workshop staff” in red or green clothes and a hat. Santa is worth one good-quality costume: he hands out gifts and appears in every photo.
Professional Santa costume consists of a jacket, trousers, belt, hat with a pompom and boots. Price EUR 69.90, sizes in pairs: S/M, L/XL and XXL/XXXL. The beard is not included in the set. If the company has neither a beard nor a sack, look at the same costume with accessories for EUR 86: it already includes a beard, glasses and a sack, only the sizes start from L/XL. The beard (EUR 8.90), gift sack (EUR 11.90) or bell are sold separately in the Santa costumes and accessories category. If you are preparing a padded belly for “Santa”, take a larger size, otherwise the jacket will barely close.
Elves can wear the Christmas elf costume for women: tunic and hat for EUR 23.90, sizes S to XL. Add red and white striped tights (EUR 6.90) and the look is complete without much effort.
2. Winter fairytale and Snow White
Colour code – white, silver, light blue. In photos the theme looks lovely, and not everyone needs a costume: a white jumper, a silver accessory or a winter hat is enough. For the evening host, the Snow White costume for women fits well: a dress with white faux fur accents, a black adjustable belt and a hat with a white pompom, EUR 30.90. Keep in mind that it is red with white, not light blue, so it will match the Santa’s workshop theme just as well. Last season it was one of the women’s Christmas costumes we sold most often.
3. Christmas sporty
For those whose party takes place in the office after work, at a bowling club or with active games. Nobody wants dresses or jackets here; comfort matters more than effect. Christmas sports costume – a sweatshirt and trousers with bright neon details, EUR 36. It can be machine washed, so after the party it won’t end up in the bin. We have only one or two of each size of this costume, so if you need several identical ones for the team, check the remaining stock in advance.
4. Retro New Year: 80s and 90s
If the party takes place between Christmas and New Year, a retro theme often works better than elves. Everyone understands it, and the music solves half the programme. The most suitable choice for both men and women is the 80s glitter black sports costume with accessories: loose cut, the set includes a headband, pilot-style glasses and a gold-effect chain, EUR 36.90, sizes S to XXL. You will find more clothing and small items from that era in the 80s and 90s party category.
5. 1920s New Year’s Eve
A more elegant theme for a restaurant or an evening with live music. Men need only a waistcoat, a tie and a hat; women need a dress with fringes and a headband with a feather. The glitter retro dress is in gold tones, with fringes, priced at EUR 32.90; right now we have sizes S and L. Men’s suits, hats and small accessories are in the gangsters and 1920s style category, for example a grey gangster suit with a waistcoat and tie (EUR 30.90). December halls are often cool and the dress is thin, so a white faux fur wrap (EUR 7.90) on the shoulders will come in handy, and it fits the era exactly.
6. Colour code only: red, white, gold
The safest option for teams with several generations working together, or when customers come to the party. Everyone wears an item in one of three colours and adds one small detail: tinted tree-shaped glasses (EUR 4.90) or a Santa bell (EUR 4.50). Anyone can take part, and the group photo still looks uniform.
7. Worst Christmas jumper contest
No purchase is needed for this theme, and that is its strength. Everyone brings their most awful jumper with reindeer or snowflakes, and colleagues vote. It suits a limited budget or a party in the office kitchen. For those who want more, adding a Christmas hat over the jumper is enough.
How to present the theme to the team
A good theme without a clear invitation ends with the same photo we mentioned at the start. In the letter or message in the team channel, it is worth including the following:
- Announce it 3-4 weeks ahead. In December many parcels are sent, and a costume sometimes has to be exchanged for another size. One week is too little for that.
- State the minimum and the maximum. For example, “at least a red accent, for those who want it – the full elf look”.
- Add 2-3 examples at different prices. A link to a costume and to a four-euro accessory shows that taking part can be inexpensive too.
- Say where the party takes place. If the hall is cool or part of the programme is outdoors, people will choose a costume that can be worn over a jumper, and they will go one size up.
- Appoint one person to place the order. If the company buys Santa and elf costumes, one person collects the sizes and submits a single order, instead of ten people waiting for separate parcels.
- Plan where to change. When the party starts right after work, that decides more than the theme itself.
- Reward the accent too. A “best accent” nomination encourages those who did not prepare the full look.
Sizes, delivery and returns
We keep the goods in our warehouse in Lithuania. Parcels to an LP parcel locker take 1-2 working days, delivery from EUR 2.99, by courier to your home – from EUR 5.95. You will find all the conditions on the delivery page. In mid-December parcel lockers are often full, so it is better to have the costumes for the party in hand a week ahead, not the day before.
A size chart is available for many costumes. Try things on as soon as you receive the parcel: unused items can be returned within 14 days, so there is time to change the size, but only if you act without delay. If you will wear the costume over a warm jumper, try it on with that jumper.
Frequently asked questions
When should I order costumes for a company Christmas party?
The best time is in November or the first days of December. Then there is time to try them on, change the size if needed, and avoid the mid-December parcel rush.
What should I do if some colleagues don’t want to dress up?
Choose a theme with several dress levels. A colour code or a single accessory lets everyone take part, while those who want to come in a full costume can do so.
Which Christmas party theme suits a mixed-age team?
Santa’s workshop or a colour code. Both themes are understood without explanation, and you can take part even with a simple red hat.
Will a Santa costume last several years?
The professional Santa costume is made for repeated wear, so it is worth keeping it at the company for the next year. The beard and other accessories can be replaced separately if needed.
Once the theme is chosen, you will find costumes and accessories for adults in the themed party category. For Santa and elves there are also small items for a few euros each, for those who just want an accent. If you order in November, you will not need to rush around parcel lockers on the eve of the December party.
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