Office Holiday Party Invitation Wording: Examples for Every Workplace
Office holiday party invitation wording for work: formal, casual, inclusive and funny examples, plus Secret Santa, white elephant and plus-one lines.
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Office holiday party invitation wording for work: formal, casual, inclusive and funny examples, plus Secret Santa, white elephant and plus-one lines.
An office holiday party invitation has to do a little more than a party invitation between friends. It needs to sound warm but professional, include everyone, answer the practical questions (Is it during work hours? Can I bring a partner? Is the gift swap required?) and still make people want to come. Get the wording right and the party starts on a good note before anyone walks in the door.
Here are office holiday party invitation wording examples for every kind of workplace, from formal corporate dinners to casual team lunches, plus inclusive options, Secret Santa and white elephant lines, a ready-to-use email and the best dates for December 2026.
What to include on an office holiday party invitation
- The event name: "Holiday Party," "End-of-Year Celebration," "Team Holiday Lunch."
- Date, start time and end time. Coworkers plan around childcare and commutes, so an end time matters.
- Location, with the address, room name or parking and transit details.
- Work hours or after hours: say whether the office closes early or the party is on personal time.
- Who's invited: team, department, whole company, plus-ones, families.
- Food and drinks: lunch, dinner, appetizers, open bar or drink tickets.
- Dress code: business casual, festive, cocktail, ugly sweater.
- Activities such as a gift exchange, awards or games, and whether they're optional.
- RSVP details, including dietary needs and accessibility requests.
Formal and corporate holiday party wording
[Company] cordially invites you to our annual holiday celebration on [date] at [time], [venue].
In appreciation of your hard work this year, please join us for an evening of dinner, music and celebration.
The leadership team invites you and a guest to the [Company] Holiday Gala. Cocktail attire.
Please join us as we celebrate a successful year and toast to the year ahead.
You are invited to [Company]'s end-of-year celebration. Dinner and drinks will be served.
With gratitude for everything you've accomplished this year, we invite you to our holiday dinner.
Casual team holiday party wording
You've worked hard, now let's play hard. Team holiday party on [date]!
Join us for food, drinks and holiday cheer as we wrap up the year together.
Laptops closed, party on! Holiday celebration in the break room at 3 p.m.
It's been a big year. Let's celebrate it together.
Holiday lunch is on us! Join the team at [restaurant] on [date] at noon.
Merry and bright, just like this team. Join us for our holiday party!
Inclusive "holiday" and end-of-year wording
Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so many workplaces choose "holiday" or "end-of-year" language. These lines are warm without assuming anyone's traditions.
Join us for a season of gratitude: our end-of-year celebration is on [date].
Happy holidays, team! Please join us for food, drinks and a toast to a great year.
Winter celebration: warm drinks, good food and great company.
Cheers to the year we had and the year ahead. You're invited to our year-end party.
Seasons greetings! Celebrate the season with the whole [Company] family.
Funny office holiday party wording
This meeting could NOT have been an email. Holiday party, [date].
Out of office, into the party. See you on [date]!
We survived another year. Let's celebrate before anyone schedules a meeting.
No agenda. No slides. Just snacks and holiday cheer.
Action item: eat, drink and be merry. Deadline: [date].
Please reply-all… just kidding. RSVP to [Name] for the holiday party.
Sleigh your to-do list, then join us for the holiday party.
Business open house and client wording
Our doors are open for the holidays. Please join [Company] for a festive open house on [date], [start] to [end].
Thank you for a wonderful year. Stop by our holiday open house for treats, drinks and good cheer.
To our clients, partners and friends: please join us to celebrate the season.
Office potluck and holiday lunch wording
Holiday potluck! Bring a dish to share and sign up at [link]. Plates and drinks provided.
Bring your favorite holiday dish, family recipe or store-bought cookies. It all counts.
Cookie swap in the break room! Bring a dozen, take a dozen.
Virtual and hybrid team wording
Grab a cocoa and join us on camera for our virtual holiday party, [date] at [time] [time zone].
Wherever you are, you're part of the party. Join us online for games, prizes and holiday cheer.
Ugly sweater required, pants optional (camera stays above the desk). Virtual holiday party!
Secret Santa and white elephant lines for work
Secret Santa! Sign up by [date] and we'll send you your person. Gift limit: $[amount].
White elephant gift exchange: bring one wrapped gift under $[amount] if you'd like to play. Joining in is optional.
Bring a wrapped gift under $[amount] to join the gift swap, or just come and cheer.
Gag gifts welcome. Keep it work-appropriate!
This year we're swapping gifts for good: please bring a new, unwrapped toy for [charity].
Plus-one, family and RSVP lines
Partners and guests are welcome. Please include their name when you RSVP.
This is a family-friendly event: bring the kids for cookie decorating and a visit from Santa.
Please RSVP by [date] and let us know about any dietary needs or accessibility requests.
The office will close at 2 p.m. on [date] so everyone can join the celebration.
Sample holiday party email
Many teams send the invitation as an email with the designed invite attached or embedded. Here's a simple template:
Subject: You're invited: [Company] Holiday Party, [date]
Hi team,
To celebrate a great year, please join us for our holiday party on [day, date] from [time] to [time] at [location]. We'll have [dinner/appetizers and drinks], music and a white elephant gift exchange (optional, $[amount] limit).
Partners are welcome. Please RSVP by [date] using [link] and share any dietary needs.
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
[Name]
More subject line ideas: "Save the date: our holiday party is [date]," "Holiday party RSVP due [date]," "Join us for the year-end celebration."
Want a polished design to attach? Try the Merry and Bright office party invitation, the navy and gold company holiday party invitation, the Secret Santa gift exchange invitation, the retro white elephant invitation or the business holiday open house invitation.
When to hold the office holiday party in 2026
- Thursday, December 10 or Friday, December 11: the most popular choice for evening parties. Most people are still in town and year-end deadlines are manageable.
- Friday, December 4: easier to book venues and less competition with family events.
- Thursday, December 17 or Friday, December 18: good for a lunch or afternoon party right before people leave for the holidays.
- A January party (for example Friday, January 15, 2027) is growing in popularity: venues are cheaper, calendars are open and it doubles as a new-year kickoff.
When to send the invitation
- Save the date: 6 to 8 weeks ahead for company-wide or evening events (late October for mid-December).
- Formal invitation: 4 weeks ahead, with an RSVP deadline 10 to 14 days before so you can confirm catering numbers.
- Team lunches and potlucks: 2 to 3 weeks ahead is enough.
- Reminder: a short email or chat message two days before.
Tips for an inclusive office party
- Make it clearly optional, especially if it's after hours.
- Offer non-alcoholic drinks that are as good as the cocktails.
- Ask about dietary needs in the RSVP and label food at the party.
- Keep gift exchanges optional and set a modest limit.
- Pick an accessible venue and mention transit, parking and accessibility on the invitation.
- Include remote teammates with a virtual option or a mailed treat box.
Make your office invitation in minutes
Our Christmas and holiday invitations are editable Canva templates, so you can add your company name, colors and details. After checkout we email you the template link, usually right away and always within 24 hours. Edit with a free Canva account, then download it as a PDF or image to attach to an email, post in your team chat or print for the break room. Here's how to edit a Canva invitation template.
Short on time before the deadline? Choose We-Edit and we'll personalize it and email back the finished file. For a coordinated look, the Party Essentials and Full Party Pack options add matching pieces such as a welcome sign and thank-you cards. Hosting your own party too? See our Christmas party invitation wording ideas.
Browse holiday party invitations
Office holiday party invitation FAQ
How do you word an office holiday party invitation?
Start with a warm, professional headline, then list the date, start and end time, location, who's invited, whether it's during work hours, food and drinks, dress code, any optional activities, and how to RSVP.
Should an office invitation say "Christmas party" or "holiday party"?
Many workplaces use "holiday party" or "end-of-year celebration" so everyone feels included. If your team has always called it a Christmas party and that fits your culture, keep the tone welcoming and the activities optional.
How far in advance should you send an office holiday party invitation?
Send a save-the-date 6 to 8 weeks ahead and the invitation about 4 weeks ahead, with RSVPs due 10 to 14 days before the event.
How do you mention a gift exchange in a work invitation?
Name the game, the spending limit and that it's optional: "White elephant gift exchange: bring one wrapped gift under $25 if you'd like to play."
What is the best day for an office holiday party?
Thursday or Friday evenings in the first half of December. In 2026, December 10 and 11 are the most popular dates, and a January party is a smart budget-friendly option.
Make your invitation in 2 minutes
Type your details, see a free preview, and download a print-ready PNG and PDF right away. No design skills, no Canva needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a paid Canva account?
No. Every VoltBy template works with a free Canva account. You will never be asked to upgrade to Canva Pro to edit or download your design.
Can I print these at home or at a print shop?
Yes. You can print at home, at a local print shop, or through an online printer. You can also share your invitation digitally by text, email, or social media.
Can I personalize the text, colors, and details?
Absolutely. You can edit names, dates, wording, colors, and fonts directly in Canva. Prefer not to do it yourself? Choose the we-edit option and we will personalize it for you.
Is anything shipped to me?
Nothing is shipped. VoltBy templates are digital. After purchase you receive your design by email, ready to edit, print, or share.
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