The holiday season is here, and Copilot can make it easier—and more fun. In Episode 2 of our Copilot Your Holidays series, we explored creative ways to use Copilot for holiday planning, from quirky gift ideas to organizing office parties and analyzing year-end feedback.
What We Covered
- Recap of Episode 1: Thanksgiving-inspired meals generated by Copilot.
- Holiday Fun with Copilot: Creative prompts for White Elephant gift ideas.
- Office Party Planning: Using Copilot to structure events, budgets, and food plans.
- Year-End Surveys: Leveraging Analyst Agent for actionable insights from feedback.
Highlights from Episode 2
1. White Elephant Gift Ideas
Not feeling creative? Copilot can help. We used prompts to generate funny, affordable gift ideas like:
- Pickle-flavored lip balm
- Mini dinosaur-shaped waffle maker
- “World’s OK-est Co-worker” mug
Tip: Run these prompts early so you have time to order your favorites online.
2. Planning Your Office Holiday Party
Copilot can help you:
- Build a party structure
- Suggest food and drink options
- Draft email templates for invites
- Estimate budgets
This isn’t a final plan—it’s a starting point that gets you 50–60% there, so you can customize for your team.
3. Analyzing Year-End Feedback
After the parties, it’s time to gather feedback. Analyst Agent (available with a paid M365 license) can:
- Process large survey datasets
- Generate insights and trends
- Create visualizations for leadership reports
Prompts We Used
(Copy and paste these into Copilot Chat or M365 Copilot)
Gift Ideas Prompt:
Generate a list of 15 funny and ridiculous White Elephant gift ideas under $25. Make them creative, slightly impractical, and guaranteed to make people laugh. Include a short, witty description for each gift that explains why it’s hilarious or awkward. Avoid anything offensive or NSFW. Think gag gifts, quirky household items, and absurdly specific products.
Holiday Party Planning Prompt:
Create a detailed, structured checklist for planning an office holiday party. Organize the response into sections with actionable steps. Include: General Planning Provide 3 date options. Suggest a realistic budget range based on headcount. Outline a timeline for tasks: booking, invitations, setup, and follow-up. Venue Compare in-office vs. offsite options with pros/cons, cost, convenience, and engagement. Recommend 3 local venues for [X] people near [location], including catering options and estimated pricing. Food & Drinks Suggest holiday-themed menu ideas (appetizers, mains, desserts, non-alcoholic drinks) suitable for catering or potluck. Provide a list of catering companies near [location] with sample pricing. Gifts & Activities List activity ideas: white elephant, trivia, photo booth, charity drives, team-building games. Create a step-by-step guide for organizing a white elephant exchange: price limits, rules, and fun twists. Suggest 15 gift ideas under $25 that are practical and fun. Decorations & Theme Recommend 5 holiday party themes and matching decoration ideas for an office setting. Music & Entertainment Build a holiday playlist mixing classics and upbeat tracks. Suggest entertainment options: live music, DJ, games, or virtual activities for remote employees. Other Areas Draft an invitation email with RSVP instructions. Include ideas for capturing memories (photo booth, hashtag). Provide a plan to make the party inclusive for all cultures and dietary needs.
Year-End Feedback Analysis Prompt:
Analyze feedback data with the following tasks:
- Sentiment Analysis
- Classify each feedback text as Positive, Neutral, or Negative.
- Plot a line chart showing sentiment distribution over time based on Date Submitted.
- Engagement Analysis
- Calculate the average Engagement Rating for each department.
- Plot a bar chart comparing departments by average engagement.
- Insights
- Provide a brief summary on whether sentiment and engagement vary across time and across departments.
Why This Matters
Copilot isn’t just for work—it’s your holiday assistant too. Whether you’re planning gifts, parties, or analyzing feedback, Copilot helps you save time and spark creativity.
Call to Action
Try these prompts today in Copilot Chat (free) or M365 Copilot (licensed). Share your favorite Copilot-generated holiday ideas with us in the comments!
Microsoft