SNL's 'Office Christmas Party' sketch nails the awkward reality of workplace holiday events

With Christmas fast approaching, some companies may have already started preparing for the festivities. From decking out offices with twinkling lights to curating perfect gifts and planning team events, it's more than just a simple celebration. Office Christmas parties are all about harnessing the festive spirit and enjoying the holiday season with your work family. Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) recently performed a hilarious skit highlighting the chaos of a typical Christmas party at the office. The humorous parody had everyone in stitches, with people sharing their office party gone wrong stories on TikTok.

The video began in a typical office setting, with everyone hard at work—until a dramatic, sports-style voice-over kicked in: “Sixty employees and seven interns all going hard in the same space they were working in fifteen minutes ago!” The situation became visibly awkward as co-workers stood around, sipping from red Solo cups and wearing Santa hats. The satirical voiceover further revealed how, right at 5:45 p.m., the dull office gets magically transformed into—well—"the same drab office, but with a few lights turned on."

The skit took another funny turn when a man struggled to play some decent music, desperately trying to connect his laptop to the Bluetooth speakers. Meanwhile, the voiceover quipped, "With music by Ja-Ja-Ja-Jason’s laptop, as soon as he figures out how to pair a speaker with it.” As the "Insane event of the year" unfolded, the skit introduced a cast of classic partygoers. The characters included that one shy girl from the marketing team who spills her life story after just one drink. Then there was the perfect family guy who brought his kid—only to regret it moments later. And of course, plenty of other office colleagues we all know too well.

Additionally, the video highlighted the harsh but true reality of office refreshments—“ice-warm beers” and “the soggiest food you’ve ever seen.” Heidi Gardner who played "Dana from Sales," aced it with her painfully long "Secret Santa" session that takes forever to finish. But wait! That's not it. The real awkwardness set in when the "cute girl from accounting" introduced her "Fat quiet boyfriend." The drama just escalated tenfold when Chris Rock’s character introduced his real wife to his “work wife,” the coworker he's closest to within the office. Within minutes of the meeting between the wives, the real couple found themselves fighting in a corner at the party.

While the drama seemed to be increasing every minute, “Drinks will be drunk, H.R. complaints will be created and someone here is getting a DUI, but it’s not who you think,” the voice-over said with deadpan humor. Just when you thought the party was about to spiral into full chaos, the reality sets in, “And just when you thought the party couldn’t rage any longer, it doesn’t because it’s Tuesday night and all you all got work tomorrow.” The TikTok video received an overwhelming response with over one million views. 

@boo, who had a similar office party experience, commented, "Ours was during work. Catered food. We all grabbed a plate and went back to our workstations to eat. A multimillion-dollar company. Oh yeah, we got 50 bucks." @julie wrote, "We had a remote working Christmas party on teams. It was a grueling 1.5-hour meeting with mandatory cameras." Meanwhile, @queen wrote, "One of my coworkers brought her newborn baby to the company Christmas party this year lol!"

You can follow Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) on TikTok for more such funny videos.