Anyone who's hosted a Christmas event with us knows we're big advocates of team volunteering, charity initiatives and other ways of giving back over the holidays. This time of year isn’t just about wrapping up work and celebrating: it’s also a time to reflect, connect and lend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

For workplaces, schools, sports teams and any other group, it’s the perfect chance to turn team development into something bigger by supporting causes that matter. From hands-on volunteering to creative fundraising, here are nine ways your team can celebrate the season with purpose.

1. Volunteer Your Time Together

The holidays are often the busiest time of year for charities, and they’re always looking for extra hands. Volunteering as a team isn’t just about lending a few hours – it’s about showing up for your community in a meaningful way. From serving meals at a soup kitchen to packing boxes at a local food bank, there are plenty of opportunities for teams to roll up their sleeves and make an immediate difference.

The beauty of volunteering as a group is that it combines purpose with connection. Instead of a typical year-end lunch, why not spend the morning volunteering and then celebrate together afterwards? It’s a reminder of what the festive season is really about, and you still get to have fun along the way.

You could also consider giving back through a structured activity like our Build-a-Bike sessions. They foster collaboration and problem-solving, and the finished bikes are donated directly to children in need. Watching the impact of your hard work roll out the door (literally) is one of the most rewarding ways to finish the year.

2. Festive Fundraising

Not every team has the time to commit to hands-on volunteering, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a big impact. Fundraising is a brilliant way to channel your team’s energy into something meaningful while keeping the festive spirit alive. Think beyond the office raffle: how about a holiday bake-off, a dress-up day, or even a charity trivia night?

Fundraisers are flexible and fun, and they give everyone a chance to contribute in their own way. Plus, they’re a great reminder that small donations add up to big change when everyone gets involved. You can even let your team vote on which cause to support, making it a shared decision that feels personal to everyone.

For a ready-made option, try a high-energy experience like a Trivia Gameshow or Drag Bingo. These crowd pleasers are perfect for combining lighthearted competition with fundraising goals. Ticket sales, entry fees or pledges for every right answer can go straight to your chosen charity, making every laugh and every win count for more than just bragging rights.

3. Support Local Businesses and Communities

The holiday season is the perfect time to think local. While many of us get swept up in the bustle of shopping centres and online sales, there are countless community groups and small businesses that could use a helping hand. Supporting them as a team not only spreads goodwill but also strengthens the places where you live and work.

One simple way is to source your team’s holiday gifts from local makers and small retailers. You could also sponsor a community project, donate supplies to a nearby shelter or take part in an “adopt a family” program, where your team helps provide gifts and essentials to households doing it tough. These gestures show that giving back doesn’t have to be grand to be impactful.

For a team-building twist, consider something like our Build a Hamper activity. Together, your team curates and packs thoughtful care packages filled with useful items and festive treats, with the hampers then be delivered to local charities, hospitals or families in need. It’s a tangible way to give back that combines generosity with teamwork and leaves everyone feeling good about the difference they’ve made.

4. Swap Gifts for Good

The office Kris Kringle can be fun, but let’s be honest – how many novelty mugs or questionably loud socks does one person really need? This year, why not flip the tradition on its head and swap gifts for something that gives back?

Instead of buying presents for each other, your team could pool the gift budget and donate it to a chosen charity. Another option is to set up a giving tree in the office, where each person selects a tag with a child’s or family’s wish list item to purchase. This not only keeps the festive spirit alive, but also ensures your generosity goes to those who need it most.

If you’d like to combine creativity with giving, a collaborative Masterpiece Painting activity is a brilliant fit. Your team works together to paint a large artwork, which can then be auctioned or raffled off to raise funds for a good cause. It’s an activity that encourages teamwork and sparks imagination, and the end result can have a lasting impact outside your office walls.

5. Bring Cheer to Those in Need

The holidays aren’t always the happiest time for everyone. For those in aged care homes, hospitals or community shelters, the season can sometimes feel isolating. That’s why one of the most powerful ways to give back is simply to share joy.

Your team could organise a visit to a local nursing home, where a chat and a smile can brighten someone’s day. Delivering toys to children’s hospitals or hosting a holiday morning tea for a community group are other small acts with a big impact. Even putting together handwritten cards or festive care packs can make the season feel a little lighter for someone doing it tough.

And spreading joy doesn’t have to mean giving up on fun. You could simply host your own themed event – like a Murder Mystery or Game Show – and donate ticket sales or participation fees to a local charity. It’s a chance to laugh, bond and know that every moment of entertainment is helping to bring comfort and cheer to others.

6. Give the Gift of Sustainability

Giving back doesn’t always mean money or time: it can simply involve caring for the planet. The holiday season is notorious for waste, from endless wrapping paper to over-the-top office decorations. Making sustainability part of your team’s giving efforts is a way to do good that keeps on giving well beyond December.

You could organise a team tree-planting day, switch to reusable decorations, or commit to reducing single-use plastics at your holiday events. Another idea is to collectively donate to an environmental charity that resonates with your team’s values. It’s a thoughtful way to celebrate while leaving a lighter footprint.

If you’d like to add a creative edge, get together for a Graffiti Art experience where you work together to design a large-scale artwork themed around sustainability or social change. The finished piece can be displayed in your office as a reminder of your commitment, or even auctioned to raise funds for eco-friendly initiatives. Either way, it’s a colourful and memorable way to gift the planet something positive this festive season.

7. End the Year with Purposeful Celebration

Most workplaces wrap up the year with a party, but what if your celebration could do more than just bring the team together over food and drinks? By weaving a charitable element into your end-of-year event, you get the best of both worlds: festive fun and meaningful impact.

You might choose to donate a portion of your party budget to charity, encourage guests to bring non-perishable items for a food drive, or run small fundraising activities during the event itself. It’s a subtle shift that turns a standard party into a purposeful one, leaving everyone with the warm glow of knowing they’ve helped someone else.

For teams wanting a ready-made celebration with a charitable twist, a Gatsby Casino Night is a standout option. Teams can enjoy the glamour of the 1920s while playing with fun money instead of real cash, and at the end of the night, winnings can be converted into donations for your chosen cause. It’s a party with sparkle, laughter, and a legacy that extends far beyond the dance floor.

8. Use Your Skills for Good

Sometimes the best way to give back isn’t with money or gifts, but with the unique skills your team already has. Many community organisations need help with things like marketing, IT, legal support, design and event planning, and your team’s expertise could be exactly what makes the difference.

Offering pro bono services is a meaningful way to extend your team’s professional strengths into the community. For example, a finance team might help a local charity with budgeting, while a creative team could assist with promotional materials for a holiday fundraiser. It’s a powerful reminder that generosity doesn’t have to come from the wallet; it can come from knowledge and capability, too.

9. Double the Impact with Matching Donations

One of the simplest but most powerful ways to give back as a team is to boost the impact of individual generosity. Matching donations means that whatever staff contribute, the company pledges to match dollar for dollar. It instantly doubles the outcome and shows employees that their efforts are truly valued.

This approach works especially well during the holidays, when people are already in the spirit of giving. Teams can choose a charity together, set a fundraising goal and watch the impact grow as the organisation steps in to amplify the total. It’s a motivating way to build momentum and demonstrate shared commitment.

For an engaging twist, consider combining a fundraising event with donation matching. Experiences like Pub Explorer or Amazing Race with Bars bring teams together in a fun, social setting, and the entry fees can become part of your fundraising pool. With the company matching contributions, every step, laugh and cheer along the way adds up to something much bigger than the event itself.

Make Your Next Team-building Activity Truly Inspiring

Giving back as a team during the holiday season isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about creating moments of connection, joy and impact that last far beyond December. Whether you’re volunteering your time, fundraising, supporting local communities or using your team’s skills for good, every action contributes to a stronger workplace culture and a happier, healthier community. With a mix of creative, meaningful, and festive options, there are countless ways to combine team bonding with purposeful giving.

This holiday season, take the opportunity to make your celebrations more than just a party. Choose team-building activities that leave a lasting impact, and watch your group grow closer while making a difference in the lives of others. After all, the greatest gift is the one that keeps on giving.

Giving Back as a Team: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about charity events, purposeful team-building and giving back over Christmas.

What are some meaningful ways teams can give back during the holiday season?

There are plenty of ways for teams to make a difference while strengthening workplace bonds. Popular options include volunteering at food banks or soup kitchens, fundraising for a chosen cause, supporting local families through adopt-a-family programs, or swapping office Kris Kringle gifts for charity donations. Another great choice is taking part in structured giving activities, like Team Days’ Build a Bike workshops, where teams work together to assemble bicycles that are donated to people in need. These activities combine generosity with teamwork, creating an experience that’s both fun and high impact.

How does giving back as a team benefit workplace culture?

Giving back together has a ripple effect that goes beyond the community. It gives employees a sense of shared purpose, strengthens relationships across departments, and creates lasting memories that a typical end-of-year party can’t always deliver. When people see the tangible impact of their collective efforts – whether it’s through fundraising, volunteering or creative team projects – it builds pride in the workplace. Well-chosen activities can also encourage collaboration and creativity, showing that when teams unite for a cause, they achieve something bigger than themselves.

Can giving back be part of a company’s holiday celebrations?

Giving back doesn’t have to be separate from celebrating. In fact, the two pair perfectly. Many businesses now combine their Christmas party or end-of-year event with a fundraising or volunteering component. For example, you could host a Gatsby Casino Night where winnings are converted into charity donations, or run a festive trivia competition with entry fees donated to a local cause. This approach lets teams enjoy all the fun and connection of a party while knowing that their celebrations are making a positive impact in the community.