How do I plan a work holiday party that includes everyone?
Make it an end-of-year thank-you, not a celebration of one holiday.Pick a date that avoids major holy days, serve food everyone can eat (clearly labeled, with alcohol-free drinks), make every part optional, and skip religious rituals. Then let people share their own traditions if they want to. Nobody should have to explain why they’re sitting something out.
1 · MindWho's at the party
Your coworkers may keep Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Bodhi Day, the winter solstice, or nothing at all. Some, like many Jehovah’s Witnesses, don’t celebrate holidays or birthdays for religious reasons. Some don’t drink alcohol, and some keep halal, kosher or vegetarian food rules.
The law sets a floor. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says employers must accommodate an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs unless doing so would cause substantial hardship. When an employer includes religious activities, it should excuse someone who asks to be excused for religious reasons. Protection also covers people who have no religious beliefs.
Most good holiday-party planning goes well beyond that floor. The goal is a gathering where everyone can come and nobody feels singled out.
What each tradition or community says
For many, the office party is part of the season they love. An inclusive party doesn’t erase that. It just makes room for everyone else too.
Many people from other traditions, or none, say what wears on them isn’t Christmas itself. It’s being expected to join in, or having to explain why they won’t.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and some others may skip any holiday-themed event. An end-of-year thank-you lunch without holiday framing may be one they can join.
2 · HeartWhat it feels like
A holiday party is meant to say thank you. When it’s planned with everyone in mind, it actually does.
Small choices are noticed: the vegetarian dish with a label, the sparkling cider next to the wine, the date that doesn’t fall on someone’s holy day.
The best office party is the one nobody had to explain themselves to attend.Neighbor Radio
3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor
Name it: “End-of-year celebration” or “team thank-you” instead of “Christmas party.”
Date: check an interfaith calendar first. In December that usually means Hanukkah, Bodhi Day and Christmas. Also avoid Friday evenings and Saturdays if you have Jewish or Seventh-day Adventist coworkers who keep the Sabbath.
Food: a vegetarian main dish, labeled ingredients, pork kept separate, and real non-alcoholic drinks. Ask about needs ahead of time on an RSVP form, not out loud.
Activities: make gift swaps and games optional. Skip prayers or religious readings. If people want to share a tradition, let them volunteer it.
Decor: winter and thank-you themes work for everyone.
This weekBefore you book a date, look up which holidays fall in that week. It takes two minutes.
Plain wordsWhat do these words mean?
- Halal
- “Allowed” in Islam. Most often used for food that follows Islamic rules, like no pork and meat prepared a certain way.
- Kosher
- Food that follows Jewish dietary laws. For example: no pork or shellfish, and meat and dairy kept apart.
- Interfaith
- Between people of different religions, like an interfaith family or an interfaith dinner.
- Shabbat
- The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest from Friday at sundown to Saturday night.
Four questions to take with you
From the story of the Good Samaritan, the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Good Neighbor Test.
- Did they see? Or look right past?
- Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
- Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
- Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?
Try it on: being the coworker everyone else counted on to plan it fairly.
Quick questions
Is it OK to have a Christmas tree at the office party?
Many workplaces do, and many people see a tree as a seasonal decoration. If you can, make room for other traditions too, and never require anyone to take part in a religious activity.
Should we just cancel holiday parties?
Usually not. Most people like a chance to celebrate together. Planning it with everyone in mind works better than canceling it.
What if a coworker doesn’t come?
Let it be. Don’t ask why in front of others. Some people skip for religious reasons, and some just don’t like parties.
- U.S. EEOC: Questions and Answers: Religious Discrimination in the Workplace
- jw.org: Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?
Fact-checked October 15, 2026 against U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and jw.org. Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Every fact is checked against what each community says about itself, in its own official sources, plus a neutral reference. Part of this community and something doesn't sound like you, or spot a mistake? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary.