35 Exciting Thanksgiving Contest Ideas for Work
Every Thanksgiving at the office, I’ve noticed the decorations seem to outdo last year’s, yet there’s always this underlying panic—what if this year’s activities fall flat? Remember last year when we tried the turkey raffle and everyone stopped talking about it after five minutes? It’s a familiar struggle: trying to come up with contests that are both fun and engaging. I’m sure you’ve felt this, too, that slight fear of being mundane.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Over the years, I’ve stumbled upon some fantastically creative Thanksgiving contest ideas that have transformed our office celebrations. Picture this: employees eagerly discussing their next strategy during lunch or talking about last week’s mystery pumpkin challenge with stars in their eyes. It was a game-changer! I’m thrilled to share 35 practical and exciting Thanksgiving contest ideas with you that could bring the same energy and engagement to your workplace. Let’s dive in and make this Thanksgiving unforgettable.
1. Organize a Pie-Baking Contest in the Breakroom
Few things spark joy (and friendly competition) like a pie-baking contest at work! Ask colleagues to bring in homemade pies—think classic pumpkin, spicy apple, or even a daring s’mores creation.
Set up a tasting station and let everyone vote on categories like “Best Traditional Pie” and “Most Creative Flavor.” Don’t forget cute prize ribbons or a tiny golden rolling pin for the winners!
2. Host a Thankful Notes Jar Contest
Here’s a fun and cozy contest idea: set up a “Thankful Notes Jar” in your break room! Encourage everyone to jot down something or someone they’re grateful for and slip the note inside. Mix it up by offering a small prize for the jar filled with the most thoughtful—or most creative—notes. Last year, our team loved reading each other’s sweet messages, and it made our office feel extra cheerful. Pro tip: provide colorful pens and cute paper to spark even more creativity!
3. Design the Office Cubicle Decorating Challenge
Ready for some friendly competition? Host a cubicle decorating challenge where everyone decks out their workspace with pumpkins, autumn leaves, or even DIY turkeys. Set prize categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Use of Space”—you’ll be amazed how a plain desk transforms. Pro tip: Provide a few starter supplies to spark inspiration and encourage first-timers to join in!
4. Launch a Turkey Day Trivia Quiz
Nothing sparks some good-natured competition like a Turkey Day trivia quiz! Split coworkers into teams and ask questions about Thanksgiving origins, quirky traditions, or even famous parade moments. For extra laughs, toss in obscure facts—did you know wild turkeys can run up to 20 mph? Offer festive prizes like pumpkin-scented candles or mini decorative gourds. It’s a low-pressure, high-fun way to get everyone chatting and bonding before the feast!
5. Create a Pumpkin Carving Competition
Nothing gets everyone chatting and laughing like a pumpkin carving contest! Set up a space filled with pumpkins and carving kits—bonus points if you cover the tables with newspaper for easy cleanup. Encourage team members to go wild with their designs, whether that’s a classic Jack-o’-lantern or something quirky. Hand out fun awards like “Most Creative,” “Scariest,” or even “Best Use of Office Supplies!” This hands-on activity instantly brings out everyone’s playful side and sets the stage for some unforgettable memories.
6. Initiate a Creative Holiday Card Design Contest
Get everyone’s creative juices flowing by inviting your team to a Thanksgiving holiday card design contest! They can sketch, paint, collage, or even use a design app—whatever suits their style. For example, one team had hilarious “turkey in disguise” designs and beautiful autumn collages made from real leaves.
Make it more fun with categories like “Best Handmade Card” and “Most Humorous Design”—that way, everyone has a shot at winning. Display the entries around the office or online for festive vibes, and let coworkers vote for their favorites!
7. Arrange a Thanksgiving Recipe Swap Challenge
Host a Thanksgiving Recipe Swap Challenge at work by inviting everyone to bring their most-loved holiday recipes on cute cards. Ask them to whip up a small batch for colleagues to sample at lunchtime! For example, Julia could share her grandma’s famous cornbread stuffing—just imagine everyone trading stories and secret ingredients.
Make it extra fun by setting up a tasting table and voting for the most creative, comforting, or surprising dish. Pro tip: Snap photos of the recipes and share them in a digital cookbook for your whole team!
8. Host a Fall-Themed Photo Contest
Invite your team to snap photos that capture the autumn vibe—think golden leaves, homemade pumpkin centerpieces, or even a festive office snack spread! Set up categories like “Best Landscape Photo” and “Coziest Fall Moment” so everyone can find their niche. Pro tip: Display all entries on a shared slideshow or bulletin board so the whole office can enjoy the fall magic together before voting!
9. Organize a DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece Contest
A DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece contest is such a fun way to spark creativity at work! Set up a table for entries and invite everyone to craft centerpieces using real pumpkins, autumn leaves, or even unexpected items like Mason jars. For example, one team could create a vibrant display with mini gourds and eucalyptus for a fresh twist. Elevate the excitement with playful categories—think “Most Elegant Centerpiece” or “Best Use of Natural Materials”—and let the whole office vote for winners!
10. Kick Off a Festive Sweater Competition
Ready to spark some mid-autumn laughs? Host a festive sweater contest where everyone rocks their silliest turkey knits or pumpkin-patterned pullovers. Snap group photos, and give fun prizes for “Most Creative Sweater” and “Funniest Design”—even a homemade certificate will do!
Invite participation by sending a calendar invite and letting everyone know about the categories in advance. Bonus tip: display all participants’ outfits on a virtual board or lunchroom wall so everyone gets a moment to shine!
11. Plan a Thanksgiving Pictionary Tournament
A Thanksgiving Pictionary tournament is such a fun way to bring your team together! Split everyone into small groups, then have each team take turns sketching Thanksgiving-themed prompts like “pumpkin pie,” “family dinner,” or “turkey trot.” For extra laughs, use a whiteboard or even a big pad of craft paper—no drawing skills required! Keep a timer handy, and offer tiny prizes for the most creative guesses or funniest drawings to boost that friendly competition.
12. Conduct a Holiday Dessert Bake-Off
There’s nothing like a little friendly competition, especially when dessert is involved! Organize a holiday bake-off where everyone brings in a favorite treat—think pumpkin pie, pecan bars, or inventive cranberry cupcakes. Set up tasting stations and let coworkers vote for categories like “Best Traditional Dessert” and “Most Creative Use of Ingredients.” Bonus points for fun presentation—like a pie topped with festive leaf-shaped crusts!
13. Introduce a Gratitude Wall Art Challenge
Get everyone in on some feel-good vibes with a Gratitude Wall Art Challenge! Set up a big blank canvas or pinboard in a common area and give employees markers, sticky notes, or craft supplies. They can draw, doodle, or simply write what—or who—they’re thankful for. When my office tried this, people shared everything from coffee breaks to amazing teammates! Wrap it up by recognizing the most heartfelt or creative pieces with fun awards—think “Warmest Note” or “Most Colorful Creation.”
14. Arrange a Canned Goods Sculpture Contest for Charity
Picture this: teams piling up cans of beans and veggies to craft a turkey or a festive centerpiece—right in your office! Not only does everyone get creative, but all the canned goods go straight to your local food bank afterward.
Pro tip: Set up a judging panel with fun categories, like “Most Creative” or “Tallest Tower.” Don’t forget to snap photos—these sculptures make for awesome Thanksgiving decor inspiration!
15. Host a ‘Guess the Number of Candy Corn’ Game
Fill a clear jar with colorful candy corn and put it on the breakroom table—instantly festive! Leave slips for everyone to guess the total. Want extra fun? Toss in a pumpkin-scented candle as the prize!
Pro tip: For bigger offices, take a photo and let remote teammates email guesses too, so everyone’s included. It’s a sweet way to spark chatter and friendly rivalry!
16. Set Up a Harvest-Themed Door Decorating Contest
Transform bland office doors into festive masterpieces with a harvest-themed decorating contest! Gather your coworkers, grab some faux leaves, mini pumpkins, and burlap, and let creativity shine.
When we did this at my office, one team even used real cornstalks for a rustic farmhouse vibe—so clever! Don’t forget to create fun prize categories like “Most Colorful Door” or “Best Use of Natural Elements” to spark friendly competition.
17. Organize a Thankful Story Sharing Event
Sometimes, the simplest activities create the biggest impact—like a Thankful Story Sharing event! Set up a cozy space (think autumnal table runners and string lights) where team members can take turns sharing personal gratitude stories. For example, last year our HR team shared how small daily thank-yous made them feel seen—everyone left smiling.
Encourage participation by having a gratitude “story jar” for shy folks to submit theirs anonymously. Wrap up with a group reflection or a fun certificate for the most heartwarming tale. It’s amazing how sharing thanks brings everyone closer!
18. Plan a Thanksgiving Day Parade Hat Contest
Nothing sparks office laughter like a Turkey Day hat parade! Set out a few craft supplies (think felt, faux leaves, and glitter), then encourage everyone to craft a show-stopping Thanksgiving hat—bonus points for ones that look like mini parade floats. For example, one year my coworker made a papier-mâché turkey perched atop her hat and won “Most Festive” hands down! Let folks vote for categories like “Best Original Design” or “Biggest Showstopper”—and don’t forget snaps for those team photo memories.
19. Host a Seasonal Scent Candle-Making Challenge
Nothing gets you in the Thanksgiving mood quite like making your own cozy candle! Set up a candle-making contest at work with autumn-inspired scents—think cinnamon, apple, pumpkin, or even cranberry. Everyone can blend their own fragrances and decorate jars with fall flair. Pro tip: Offer prizes for “Best Fragrance Blend” or “Most Creative Design” to add a little friendly competition and fun to the mix!
20. Arrange a Hot Apple Cider Tasting Contest
Spice up your Thanksgiving with a hot apple cider tasting contest! Ask everyone to brew a batch at home—think cinnamon sticks, orange peel, or even a dash of chili for the bold. Set up a tasting table (bonus if you add cute autumn mugs!) and let colleagues vote on categories like “Best Traditional Cider” and “Most Unique Twist.” Try pairing with mini apple turnovers for extra festive flavor!
21. Launch a ‘Create Your Own Stuffing’ Competition
Nothing brings out Thanksgiving creativity quite like a “Create Your Own Stuffing” contest! Ask team members to whip up their signature or most out-there stuffing recipes—think chorizo cornbread or classic herb sage. Lay out samples in the break room, then let everyone taste and vote for their favorites. To boost participation, offer a fun prize like a quirky turkey-themed apron!
22. Start a Thanksgiving-Themed Poem or Limerick Contest
Who says work can’t have a little literary flair? Host a Thanksgiving-themed poem or limerick contest and watch creativity soar! Maybe someone pens a hilarious ode to pumpkin pie or a heartfelt verse about workplace gratitude. Provide some fun prompts and let employees share their masterpieces—bonus points if they perform them at a team meeting! Prizes for the funniest and most heartfelt entries keep things light and lively.
23. Set Up a Pilgrim Costume Contest
Channel a bit of Thanksgiving history with a Pilgrim costume contest—think classic hats, bonnets, and knickers! Encourage coworkers to get creative; maybe even offer extra points for handmade details or fun historical tidbits shared during the judging. For example, in one office, the winner wowed everyone with a DIY black felt hat (complete with a gold paper buckle!). Don’t forget simple props like a feather quill or a cloth basket to dial up the accuracy.
24. Host a Whimsical Feathered Hat Decorating Competition
Feather up some fun by inviting your team to decorate wild and whimsical hats! Hand out basic straw hats, then set up a decorating station with colorful feathers, ribbon, and even mini pumpkins. Think about prizes like “Grandest Hat” for an oversized masterpiece or “Most Whimsical” for those laugh-out-loud designs—perfect for sparking creativity and laughter during your Thanksgiving festivities!
25. Introduce a Signature Fall Drink Mix-Off
Time to channel your inner mixologist! Host a signature fall drink mix-off, where coworkers whip up creative beverages using fall flavors—think apple cider, pumpkin puree, ginger, or cinnamon.
Set up tasting tables and encourage everyone to sample and vote for “Best Fall Cocktail” and “Most Inventive Non-Alcoholic Drink”—perfect for including everyone. One office nailed it by featuring a “Spiced Maple Mocktail” that was a total hit with non-drinkers!
26. Conduct a Family Recipe Storytelling Challenge
Invite everyone to bring in a favorite family dish and tell the story behind it—like your coworker sharing her grandma’s secret pumpkin bread and the Thanksgiving memories that go with it. This challenge is such a warm way to celebrate the richness of different traditions at work. Tip: Set up a casual lunch or virtual meeting so folks can present their recipes and stories, making space for laughter and meaningful connections.
27. Organize a Thanksgiving Chalkboard Art Contest
This one’s a total crowd-pleaser: set up mini chalkboards around the breakroom and let everyone unleash their inner artist! Think turkeys, gratitude quotes, or fall leaves—like when our team turned the conference room into a cozy autumn gallery. Give shout-outs and fun prizes for “Most Detailed Design” or “Best Use of Color” to keep the vibe light and creative. Don’t forget to snap photos and share the masterpieces on your team’s chat for a daily smile!
28. Plan a Holiday Cookie Decorating Competition
Who doesn’t love cookies? Host a holiday cookie decorating competition at work! Set up a decorating station with icing, sprinkles, and candies in autumn shades. Encourage everyone to try their hand at leaf, pumpkin, or turkey cookie designs.
You can even vote on fun categories like “Most Artistic Cookie” or “Best Use of Ingredients.” Pro tip: offer decorating kits for remote workers, so they can join the fun and share their creations on a group call or Slack thread!
A little friendly rivalry adds tons of holiday cheer—and you’ll have delicious treats to share around the office at the end.
29. Create a Thanksgiving Joke-Telling Contest
Inject some laughter into your office by hosting a Thanksgiving joke-telling contest! Ask team members to share their wittiest turkey jokes or hilarious pie puns during a fun staff meeting. Bonus tip: Set up a group chat or virtual call for remote coworkers to join the fun and vote for winners like “Best Punchline” or “Funniest Delivery.”
For inspiration, you might even print out a few classic Thanksgiving jokes for anyone needing a jumpstart. (Example: “What sound does a turkey’s phone make? Wing, wing!”)
30. Initiate a Turkey Trot Office Relay Race
Get your coworkers moving with a Turkey Trot Office Relay Race! Divide into teams, map out a (safe!) loop through the office halls or parking lot, and let the races begin. Maybe even encourage quirky team costumes—one department at my old job wore homemade feathered hats and gobbled their way to the finish line! Don’t forget fun prizes for the fastest team and the one with the most hilarious turkey-themed spirit.
31. Arrange a Harvest Themed Potluck Competition
Nothing brings coworkers together like food! Organize a harvest-themed potluck where everyone prepares a dish inspired by their heritage or a creative twist on Thanksgiving classics. Set up voting cards so everyone can taste and pick favorites—maybe your colleague’s Korean-inspired sweet potato casserole wins “Most Unique Recipe” this year! This is a fantastic way to share stories, swap recipes, and turn lunch into a culinary adventure.
32. Host a ‘Best Thanksgiving Table Setting’ Contest
Sprinkle a dash of fun at work by inviting everyone to decorate a Thanksgiving table—think playful napkin folds, mini pumpkin centerpieces, and autumn-inspired accents. Snap photos of the displays so the whole team can vote on their favorites (bonus points for clever uses of office supplies!). Prizes for “most creative,” “most elegant,” or even “quirkiest use of paper clips” make everyone feel included and inspired.
33. Organize a Fall Foliage Artwork Contest
Imagine turning your break room into an autumn art gallery! Encourage everyone to craft pieces using real fall leaves, acorns, or twigs—they can collage, paint, or even make leaf garlands. In one office, coworkers displayed stunning leaf mosaics and whimsical nature mobiles. Tip: Set up fun award categories like “Most Creative Use of Materials” to keep things playful and engaging.
34. Plan a Thanksgiving Karaoke Contest
Crank up the fun with a Thanksgiving karaoke contest—think pumpkin-spiced parody songs and team singalongs! Give everyone a chance to shine, whether they belt out “Thank You for Being a Friend” or rewrite a hit with turkey-themed lyrics. Set up a cozy corner with festive decor and offer awards for “Best Vocal Performance” and “Most Entertaining Act” to keep things lighthearted. Pro tip: provide lyric sheets and a playlist of holiday classics to help even the shyest singers get in on the fun!
35. Launch a ‘Thanksgiving Morning’ Photography Contest
Encourage your team to snap photos of their Thanksgiving morning—maybe it’s grandma prepping stuffing, kids watching the parade, or even a misty autumn yard. Have everyone submit their favorites, then vote for fun categories like “Most Heartfelt Image” or “Best Use of Natural Light.” Instant tip: Set up a shared online album to make viewing and voting a breeze!
And there you have it, a treasure trove of 35 exciting Thanksgiving contest ideas to sprinkle some extra fun into your workplace festivities this year! I hope you found a few ideas that sparked your imagination and made you think, “Oh, we could totally do that!” Remember, the goal is to create an atmosphere where everyone feels included, engaged, and a little more connected.
So, why not pick a couple of ideas and give them a whirl? You’ve got everything you need to make this Thanksgiving memorable at work. Trust in your creativity and the joy you’ll spread as you bring everyone together in friendly competition. I’m so excited for you and the festive journey ahead. Just remember to enjoy the process, savor the moments, and have a fantastic time creating something special with your team. You’ve got this!
