18.12.2025

Only 1 in 10 put the office Christmas party at the top of their work wish list

New research from Moonpig for business reveals that during the festive party season, 17 per cent of UK workers would rather untangle a box of fairy lights than attend their office Christmas party.

In a survey of 2,000 UK employees, seven in 10 (70 per cent) said that celebrating Christmas at work helps them feel more connected to their team. Yet when asked what they’d really value from their employer this festive season, only one in 10 (11 per cent) chose an office party as their top Christmas wish, with 60 per cent saying they’d like an extra day off, while one in five (21 per cent) would most like to receive a thoughtful, physical gift from their employer.

Although most people enjoy some workplace festive cheer, more than half (52 per cent) of employees said they’d rather spend a night in watching Christmas films than go to the office party, with others confessing they’d choose to untangle a box of fairy lights (17 per cent) or even visit the dentist (14 per cent) than join the festivities.

And when it comes to the seating plan, opinions are just as divided. When asked who they’d least like to sit next to at the office Christmas do, nearly a third (32 per cent) of Brits named the boss, while HR (16 per cent) and IT (13 per cent) also ranked high on the list. The marketing team was the least avoided, with just 5 per cent choosing not to sit next to them.

Nickyl Raithatha, CEO at Moonpig, said: “Christmas is a time for connection, and it’s great to see that so many people value celebrating with their colleagues. Knowing your team and what makes them tick is essential when it comes to selecting the right kind of gift. This knowledge will ultimately have the best impact in your decision making, be it a big party, a thoughtful gift or a simple thank you. At Moonpig for business, we believe it’s those thoughtful touches that make people feel truly seen and appreciated, and that’s what brings teams closer together.”

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