5 best online games for Christmas 2021
As another year end rolls around, you might be looking for ideas for 2021’s virtual holiday party.
Online games are a perfect virtual holiday idea for work, with celebrations usually held over video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Teams, Webex and Google Meet.
If you haven’t got time to read through another long list of half-baked ideas and games that you’ll never use, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered!
We’re focusing on just five online team games for Christmas 2021.
They are best suited to people looking for an inclusive game that is unique, engaging, team-based, and a little bit competitive, If you are looking for trivia then this is not for you (sorry to all you trivia lovers out there!).
The challenge with online games for Christmas
Finding inclusive Christmas and holiday party games can be hard, as many include culture-specific or religious references, which for many modern and multi-cultural teams and groups, simply rules them out.
If the following list matches your organisation or boss’s pre-requisites for an online game for Christmas this year, read on!
Inclusive (culturally and socially)
Not boring or dated
Convenient and digital
Built for team play
Suitable for any group size
Clever & quirky
IT-compatible
Insightful
Suitable for remote and hybrid workers
5 Best Virtual Christmas Games 2021
A Very Meta Christmas
Christmas games often send us back in time but A Very Meta Christmas sends you forward in time, or at least brings you up to speed with this hot topic called “The Metaverse”.
This team-based problem solving game takes you on a road trip, with 10 different puzzles to solve as you navigate your way on a very curious adventure.
It’s a time-based competition with all teams having 40 minutes to complete the game, and the experience takes around 1 hour in total.
The game has a holiday theme with a delightful reveal at the end…
This game is perfect for tech teams, crypto die hards, futurists, and those blissfully unaware of the future being built around them.
It can be facilitated for you or self-led, if running online games for groups is in your field of expertise.
There is also the option to customise this Christmas game with some of your own themes and content!
The game can be played with remote teams as well as hybrid, blended, and in-person, you’ll just need to find a space for your team to chat and collaborate without being overheard.
Self-led games start at USD $50 and hosted experiences at USD $199 per group.
A Christmas Puzzle
Speaking of going back in time, A Christmas Puzzle does exactly that, with a light-hearted, retro and funny theme, that takes you back to a simpler time.
This Christmas online game is perfectly suited for use on Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Webex if you are using it with work colleagues and have some remote workers in the team.
The game utilises the breakout rooms function, with the group split into teams of 4-5 people with each team being tasked with a number of visual and word problems to complete, all based around Christmas and Holiday-season festivities.
As it’s problem solving based in doesn’t require any specific Christmas knowledge, outside of a few very well-known pop culture references.
This virtual game is great if you want to have a laugh, as it includes some very amusing wish list gifts from the 1990s…
Self-led games start at USD $50 and hosted experiences at USD $199 per group.
Winter Wander-land: An Escape to the Holidays
With their festive clues and wintery challenges, the Winter Wander-land escape room is a great virtual Christmas party game that you can play online.
Perfect for smaller groups, this online game sees your team solving a series of holiday-themed challenges.
It wouldn’t be an escape room without a spy in it, and this game is no different, with your team belonging to a family of spies.
The games are available as a hosted experience only, with prices starting at USD $750 per group.
Xscape Now B.R.U.C.E Saves Christmas
This Christmas themed multiplayer online escape room is a good option if you are a bit more budget constrained and looking for something for a smaller team.
It’s a 60 minute game for 2-6 players and can be played on Zoom, Teams, Webex, Meet or any other video conference platform.
You must have at least two devices for this game due to the cooperative nature of some of the puzzles.
Self-led games start at USD 27 per group.
Virtual Holiday-Themed Bingo
If you are looking for an online game for Christmas 2021 that is shorter form, then holiday-themed bingo might be a fun choice!
Bingo is a light-hearted game for the holidays because it encourages interaction and competition and doesn’t require a lot of effort.
You can use this free bingo card generator to make a Christmas-themed bingo board perfect for your virtual holiday party - make it as specific to your organisation as you like.
You can play this game on a virtual meeting, you’ll just a digital bingo board and a way to share screen.
Conclusion
The best online games for Christmas in 2021 should be team-based and inclusive, and playable on any video conference platform.
Choose something that will challenge, surprise and engage all of your team, include any remote employees.
A 2021 Christmas party provides a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and get excited for the year to come.
Contact us if you’d like any help selecting the best experience for your team.