For decades, office parties have run on finger foods, sweet treats, and pizza. But ahead of the holidays, people are turning to a different type of snack.
Offices are tapping into “Dips-Giving,” a social media trend in which coworkers each bring a different dip to share, potluck-style.
While the main trend has remained popular over the last few years among friend groups as a lower-effort alternative to traditional “Friendsgiving,” Dips-Giving has slowly made its way into the break room, transforming fare usually seen as an appetizer or side dish into the main event.
The dips can be as classic or creative as a participant wishes. For example, at one dip-themed office party last year, employees brought in an array of dips like salsa, guacamole, cranberry apple dip, and even a cookie dough dip to pair with chips, crackers, breads, fruits and veggies, and more. In a video shared to TikTok, the user revealed the party was the office’s third annual “Dip Off.”
The year before, the same user posted another sizzle reel of the Dip Off, with spreads like a “funfetti” dip paired with cookies and the evening’s winner, a stuffed banana pepper dip.
The tradition also allows for content creation at the office. Take the Omaha-based party supply retailer Oriental Trading Company, which posted a video to TikTok featuring employees and their Dipsgiving dips for the holiday party. Offerings ranged from a cream cheese strawberry habanero dip to a pizza dip and a cannoli dip.
A real estate company in Florida named Gailey Enterprises held a “Christmas Dipapalooza.” While most staff members opted for tried-and-true options like a hummus and pita platter, one employee completely ignored the rules and brought pizza instead.
However, not everyone on social media is excited about Dips-Giving. Some users have raised hygiene concerns about coworkers “double-dipping” or cooking for them—a common worry associated with potlucks in general.
In one TikTok video, a user placed a large pot in her car and filled it with various ingredients to create a buffalo chicken dip. “I didn’t have the time to make buffalo chicken dip for the office potluck,” the user said, captioning the video, “I’m trying my best.”
One person commented: “One thing about me, I will always pass on a potluck.”