Fancy dress at the work Christmas party can go one of two ways: brilliant team photos everyone shares for years, or one brave soul in a full reindeer suit while everyone else wears a paper hat. These Christmas party costume ideas are built for the office, so they’re fun without being awkward, easy to wear for a few hours and simple for a whole team to join in with.
If you’re after solo outfit ideas, our round-up of Christmas fancy dress ideas for adults has plenty more.
What makes good work Christmas party fancy dress
Work Christmas party fancy dress has a few extra rules compared with a party with mates. Before you pick a theme, think about:
- Comfort. You might be sitting through a three-course meal, so avoid anything that stops you eating, sitting or going to the loo.
- Commute. If people are coming straight from work, the costume needs to fit in a bag or go on in the toilets in five minutes.
- Inclusion. Not everyone loves dressing up. Always have a low-key option, like a festive hat or a Christmas jumper, so nobody feels left out.
- Keep it clean. Skip anything sexualised, anything that mocks a colleague, and anything based on race, religion or disability. You still have to see these people on Monday.
- Budget. If the company isn’t paying, keep it affordable. Accessory packs split across a team cost very little per person.
Group Christmas costumes for teams
Group Christmas costumes are the easiest way to make a team look brilliant, because nobody has to stand out alone. Pick a theme, split the roles and you’re done.
Santa’s workshop
One person (usually the boss, if they’re a good sport) is Santa, and everyone else is an elf. Elves can be as simple as a hat with ears and something green. It scales from three people to thirty.
Adults’ Unisex Cheeky Elf Costume
A unisex elf costume that works for most of the team, so you don’t need to juggle men’s and women’s versions. Sizing is generous, but check the chart if you’re between sizes.
Shop nowSanta’s reindeer
Antler headbands, brown tops and name badges for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Whoever’s in charge gets the red nose.
Festive film night
Each person or pair picks a Christmas film character: Buddy the Elf, Kevin from Home Alone, the Grinch, Scrooge from The Muppet Christmas Carol, or Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Then everyone guesses who’s who.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Assign each person a line of the song, from the partridge in a pear tree to the drummers drumming. Some are easy (lords a-leaping just need a crown), some need creativity (seven swans a-swimming). It’s a great talking point.
Christmas dinner
One turkey, one pudding, a couple of sprouts, a cracker and a pigs in blankets duo. Food costumes are funny, and nobody takes them too seriously.
Christmas Pudding Costume (Unisex)
The star of any Christmas dinner team. It’s unisex and padded, so it suits anyone, though it’s bulky for a crowded venue.
Shop nowLow-effort Christmas party fancy dress for reluctant colleagues
Got a few people who’d rather not? These options let everyone take part without a full costume, which is why they’re some of the most useful Christmas party costume ideas for offices.
- Christmas jumper competition: everyone wears a jumper and the team votes for the best one.
- Festive hats only: Santa hats, elf hats or a mix of headbands.
- Colour theme: everyone wears red, green or gold, with one sparkly accessory.
- Head boppers and props: hand them out at the door so latecomers can join in.
Velvet Santa Hats (4 Pack)
A pack of velvet Santa hats is a quick, cheap way to get the whole table in the spirit. They’re nicer quality than paper hats and you can reuse them next year.
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Christmas Headbands (12 Pack)
A 12-pack of mixed headbands works out very cheap per head, so you can buy one pack for the whole team and hand them out on arrival.
Shop nowOur Christmas accessories and Christmas jumpers are full of easy options for people who just want a token nod to the theme.
Christmas party costume ideas compared
| Idea | Group size | Effort | Comfort for a sit-down meal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa’s workshop | Three to thirty | Low | Good | Mixed teams |
| Santa’s reindeer | Five to nine | Very low | Very good | Quick team photos |
| Festive film night | Any size | Medium | Good | Film fans |
| Twelve Days of Christmas | Up to twelve | Medium to high | Depends on the role | Creative teams |
| Christmas dinner | Four to eight | Medium | Fair, food costumes are bulky | Winning the prize |
| Jumper competition | Any size | Very low | Very good | Reluctant dressers |
Making it work on the night
A few practical tips from people who’ve been to a lot of office parties:
- Agree the theme early. A message to the team three weeks before gives everyone time to order and try things on.
- Share a group chat or sheet. That way you don’t end up with five Santas and no elves.
- Wear layers. Venues get hot. A thin T-shirt under a Santa jacket or elf tunic means you can cool down without breaking the look.
- Check the venue rules. Some don’t allow masks or toy props, and inflatable costumes can be a hazard in busy spaces.
- Plan the journey home. Swap face masks or big headpieces for a normal coat before you get in a taxi or on the train, and never drive in a mask.
- Bring a prop for photos. A pack of photo booth props makes team photos far more fun.
Party Photo Booth Props (70 Piece)
A big set of photo booth props to leave on the table. Perfect for the team photo, and the bits that survive can go in the drawer for next year.
Shop nowTop tip: Want to add festive face paint, like rosy elf cheeks or a Rudolph nose? Our guide to Christmas face paint ideas has quick designs you can do in the office loos in under five minutes.
Ideas for the person organising it
If you’ve been handed the job of organising, keep it simple. Announce one theme with a low-key option, set a rough budget, and offer a small prize for the best costume, best group and best effort on a shoestring. That way the keen ones can go all out and the quieter ones still feel included. For individual outfits, point people towards our elf costumes and Santa costumes, which cover most team themes.
Men’s Christmas Elf Costume (5 Piece)
A men’s elf set that includes the main pieces in one go. Handy for the person who wants to look the part without hunting down tights, hat and tunic separately.
Shop nowFrequently asked questions
What should I wear to a Christmas party at work?
Choose something festive that you can comfortably sit, eat and chat in for a few hours. An elf costume, a Santa hat with a smart outfit, or a Christmas jumper all work well. Avoid anything too revealing, offensive or awkward to move in.
What is a good theme for an office Christmas party?
Santa’s workshop, Christmas films and the Twelve Days of Christmas are all popular because everyone can pick a role. A Christmas jumper competition is the easiest option and suits teams where not everyone likes fancy dress.
How do you get colleagues to dress up?
Give people plenty of notice, offer a low-effort option, and make it fun rather than compulsory. Small prizes help. Handing out hats or headbands at the door means nobody is left out.
Is fancy dress appropriate for a work Christmas party?
Yes, as long as it’s in good taste. Keep costumes family-friendly, avoid anything that could offend colleagues, and remember you’ll see everyone again after the party.
