Time Well Spent: 17 Alcohol-Free Ideas for Meaningful Christmas Work Celebrations
Introduction
Not every team wants their end-of-year celebration to revolve around prosecco, pints and pub quizzes. Whether your workplace is fully alcohol-free, your team includes sober colleagues or you simply want to offer a more intentional alternative to the classic boozy night out, planning a festive gathering without alcohol can be refreshing, creative and inclusive.
Here’s the good news: skipping the drinks doesn’t mean skipping the fun. In fact, when you remove alcohol from the equation, you often get more connection, more creativity and memories you actually remember.
If you’re looking to host a Christmas social that aligns with your values, feels good for everyone and leaves your team energised (not hungover), here are 17 thoughtful ideas to get you started.
1. Wreath-Making Workshop
Get hands-on and festive with a wreath-making class. These are hugely popular in December and offer a calm, creative atmosphere. Bonus points for supporting local florists or makers such as Rook Botanics in Glasgow - Sarah’s wreath workshops sell-out fast but she also offers workplace sessions.
2. Candle Making or Decorating
Try a candle-making or decorating workshop for a sensory, seasonal activity. It’s soothing, smells amazing and everyone leaves with something beautiful. For candle painting, Tyninghame Candles in East Lothian offers private hire events or try Hazel at Dear Green Candle Co for candle making workshops in Glasgow.
3. Paint a Canvas for the Office
Skip the paint-and-prosecco model and instead invite your team to create a collaborative piece for your workplace walls. Carla Scott Fullerton is an artist based in Glasgow that offers this as a service.
4. Escape Room Adventure
Great for team bonding and full of fun, an escape room creates a shared challenge (and a lot of laughs). Most towns have one and they’re suitable for groups of all sizes.
5. Afternoon Tea with a Twist
Book a festive afternoon tea at a local hotel or independent café. Add a theme to make it that little bit extra… festive sparkle? Or cosy knits? The Prince and Princess of Wales hospice have a private dining room that you can book, and they have a beautiful afternoon tea!
6. Mindful Festive Walk + Hot Chocolate
Sometimes simplicity is key. A crisp walk in nature followed by hot chocolate at a cosy café (or even a thermos in the park) offers quality time without pressure. I can highly recommend Bare Bones, handcrafted from scratch in their Glasgow chocolate factory.
7. Christmas Cookery Class
Learn to make festive canapés, desserts or a plant-based holiday menu. Cooking together builds camaraderie and everyone walks away with new skills. I’ve attended many different cookery classes in Glasgow over the years, but sadly most of them have closed down. However I’ve spotted that Chaophrya has Thai cooking classes which sound amazing - check them out here.
8. Board Game or Puzzle Night
Hire a private space or host in the office after hours. Bring your cosiest jumpers, favourite nibbles and games that spark laughs and teamwork. You could even pay a visit to Settlers in Shawlands, Glasgow to pick up a few new board games.
9. Festive Film Screening
Book a local indie cinema or turn your boardroom into a private screening room. Add popcorn, cosy blankets and mocktails. Despite not drinking alcohol for nearly 7 years now, I do still enjoy the theatre of having a fancy mocktail!
10. Storytelling Workshop
Susan Perry is a Glasgow-based speaker coach who offers workshops such as storytelling for impact. I’ve been working with Susan one-to-one ahead of a keynote speech I’m giving next month, and she’s fantastic.
11. Silent Disco
It’s not everyone’s idea of a good time, but a silent disco with festive bangers and disco lighting is surprisingly fun, even for the soberest of teams. Get in touch with Gillian at Ya Dancer Silent Discos here.
12. Volunteering as a Team
A wonderful way to connect is to give back. Whether it’s wrapping gifts for a local charity, collecting donations or serving in a community kitchen, purpose-driven teams love a chance to give back. I volunteer at the Prince and Princess of Wales hospice in Glasgow, and they often have workplace teams volunteering.
13. DIY Gingerbread House Challenge
Think Bake-Off meets boardroom. Set up in teams, decorate wildly and enjoy a little festive chaos.
14. Wellbeing Treat
Bring in mobile therapists for chair massage, reflexology or facials. Calm, relaxing and rejuvenating. If you’re Glasgow-based you could try Elaine Taggart Therapies, who also runs aromatherapy workshops.
15. Wine-Not? Host an Alcohol-Free Drinks Tasting
There are so many amazing 0% spirits, wines and cocktails available now. Hire a mixologist (or nominate your in-house drinks expert) to host a tasting.
16. Secret Santa
Rethink the gift swap by inviting people to gift their favourite book.
17. Storytelling or Open Mic Night
Encourage connection with a night of team stories, poetry, music or reflections. It can be silly, heartfelt or inspiring - and it’s often a powerful way to bring people together.
Tips for planning an alcohol-free Christmas social
Ask for input. Invite team members to share ideas or vote on their favourites
Be inclusive. Consider accessibility, sensory needs and neurodivergence when choosing venues or formats
Focus on connection. Look for experiences that encourage presence, conversation and creativity
Make it memorable. A small gift, thoughtful detail or meaningful message goes a long way
Why it matters
An alcohol-free Christmas night out isn’t just about removing booze. It’s about making space for:
Deeper connection over default behaviours
Inclusion over tradition
Intention over expectation
When we remove the assumption that celebration = alcohol, we open up a world of possibility for more thoughtful, accessible and joyful ways to mark the season. And for workplaces that want to honour their values while having fun? That’s time well spent.
Next steps
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