How to Host a Moroccan Christmas Party - Just Like Phyllis from The Office!
The Moroccan Christmas party episode of The Office was pretty memorable. The theme was ‘’nights in Morocco’’ as stated by Phyllis Vance, who wanted to plan an original Christmas party. After enduring so many traditional holiday parties put on my Angela from the Party Planning Committee, Phyllis was ready to flex her power as the new head of the PPC with an exotic party theme.
Whether you want to replicate Phyllis's Moroccan Christmas party at home, or would like to know what parts of the party were actually Moroccan and what parts were not, here is everything you need to know about that episode.
Season 6, Episode 13 - The Office Secret Santa
For those who’d like to host an elegant White Elephant Christmas party, or have a Secret Santa to shop for, it’s worth your time to check out the Etsy Editor’s Picks for some great holiday gifts.
Welcome party guests into your home with a favorite quote from the Moroccan Christmas episode.
How Accurate and Authentic is the Moroccan Christmas Party in The Office?
‘’This isn't a grandmother's Christmas party.’’ she said ‘’Unless, of course, she's from Morocco, in which case it's very accurate."
In order to fact-check and verify the authenticity of Phyllis’s Moroccan holiday party, I enlisted the help of Moroccan Zest founder Safaa Eljaz.
Safaa grew up in Morocco and her family has a long lineage of Moroccan heritage. She is a bona fied Moroccan expert, and she’s a fan of The Office show! Together we broke down all the elements of this episode to give you all the tools you need to recreate this TV classic.
Shop Authentic Moroccan Holiday Decor
On Etsy you can find amazing Moroccan decor, plus supporting artisans and small businesses is a huge plus!
All the Details from The Office Episode Moroccan Christmas
As you read through all the specific details we’ve outlined from the episode, Safaa gives her honest opinion of how authentically Moroccan it is. Plus you’ll find pointers on how to incorporate it into your own themed holiday party.
Can You Have a Christmas Tree at a Moroccan Holiday Party?
Remember when Phyllis makes Angela take down the Christmas tree because it wasn't on theme? Safaa weighs in on this topic.
Christmas is not a traditional celebration in Morocco. However, the last decade saw more and more Moroccan families celebrating Christmas. And while most of them don’t go as far as having a Christmas tree in their house, you’ll still see beautifully decorated Christmas trees in most malls and large stores in Morocco. So if you want to add a Christmas tree to your Moroccan party, it will still be on theme.
Are Paper Scroll Invitations Authentically Moroccan?
At the beginning of the episode Michael excitedly asks Phyllis if guests need to show their scroll invitations in order to enter the party.
Scrolls - or parchments - are not associated with Morocco as Morocco didn’t invent them or played a big role in spreading them. According to historians, parchments were invented in Asia as an expensive substitute for papyrus. Similarly, Papyrus is not directly linked with Moroccan culture and history as it was invented in Egypt and is still closely associated with this country.
Stay warm and cozy while you’re representing The Office Party Planning Committee.
Moroccan Music to Play at Your Party
Andy Plays a Sitar Instrument
This is a little bit off-theme, as sitars are Indian instruments. But I understand the confusion as there is however a Moroccan instrument similar to sitars, called Kamanja or Kamancheh. Another typical Moroccan instrument is the Oud, also part of Morocco’s philharmonic heritage.
Kevin is Playing a Small Drum
Like the Ouds or Kamanche, drums are a big part of Morocco's musical heritage. There are many types of Moroccan drums and the most common ones are the Bendir and the Darbouka. They are heavily used in celebrations to warm up the guests and encourage them to get dancing. Traditional Moroccan drums are usually made of wood or clay and covered with glued goat skin.
Traditional Moroccan Instrumental Music
Playing music at Moroccan parties is a must. At traditional parties, the music that is played is mostly Philarmonic featuring religious Berber, Arabic, or religious poetry and traditional instruments like the Oud or Kamanche.
In modern Moroccan parties, Moroccans love to play Arabian pop songs from Morocco but also songs from North Africa and the Middle East. Some of the most-played singers in Moroccan parties are Saad El Mjarad, Dounia Batma, Nancy Ajram, Mostafa Kamar, and Omr Diab, to name a few.
Pro Party Tip: Play a Moroccan music party playlist from Spotify.
Remember the Christmas episode of The Office when Phyllis made Michael a homemade oven mitt? Well this cute ornament really captures the sentiment.
Moroccan Decor for Your Party
Colorful Moroccan Christmas Decor
Phyllis decorates the office with large colorful scarves with ornate gold patterns. There are also Moroccan beaded curtains hanging in the doorways, and on the floor, there are ornate rugs.
This is on point! In Moroccan decor, mixing different fabrics and colors is a must. Rug weaving and intricate embroidery are part of the country’s heritage manifested in beautiful rugs, curtains, cushions, and pillows.
When planning a Moroccan party, make sure to include fluffy Beni Ourain or colorful Azilal rugs, and do not be afraid to mix bold-colored pillows and curtains. If you like minimalistic looks, then you can’t go wrong with white, black, and silver.
If you’re stumped for visual inspiration, all you have to do in search Marrakech riad in Pinterest and you can create an inspo board.
Floor Seating on Big Pillows and Poufs
During the intervention scene, the office coworkers sit on large decorative pillows on the floor.
This is also on point! At parties, Moroccan hosts often use a mix of antique fabrics, embroidered pillows, fluffy cushions, poufs, and comfy rugs were strewn about the floor for extra comfort. Food and beverages can also be served on the floor.
Decorating with Candles
During the party there's candles lit all around the office (which is how Meredith's hair catches on fire).
Candles are part of Moroccan parties. They set a charming cozy ambiance that encourages guests to relax and chill. Light it all up with Moroccan lanterns and candles. It may not seem like an ordinary Christmas, but an oriental theme will still honor the holiday and make it special. It may look like an ancient Moroccan wedding and you will for sure amaze your guests!
Do You Need To Take Off Your Shoes at a Moroccan Party?
In the episode, Phyllis makes everyone in the office take off their shoes.
In Morocco, people often take off their shoes when they are about to walk on a carpet. As mentioned above, rugs in Morocco are a national heritage, entirely handmade, and quite expensive. By taking the shoes off, people respect this work of art and preserve it from dirt and wearing out.
If you are throwing a party and having your guests sit on a rug, then yes, it’s totally appropriate to ask them to take off their shoes.
Are genie lamps really Moroccan?
When playfully chatting with Pam at reception, Jim holds an oil lamp that looks like the genie lamp from Aladdin.
Oil lamps were part of Moroccan’s everyday life until a couple of decades ago when electricity was introduced to most cities. You will still find some rural villages - especially in the Sahara or Atlas mountains - that still use oil lamps as light sources.
Oil lamps are also a designer's favorite accessory to decorate riads and add a charming Moroccan touch. So yes, you can use oil lamps to decorate your Moroccan Christmas party, they’ll add a charming and intimate ambiance.
You can also replace them with a Moroccan lantern for an easier-to-find and safer alternative.
If you click on the below Shop button, you’ll finds tons of awesome gifts for The Office Fans. Including these adorable ornaments!
Authentic Moroccan Food and Drinks
Moroccan Tea Sets
In the episode you’ll see Angela carrying a tray with a silver teapot and colorful small glass cups.
A Moroccan tea set is the centerpiece of every Moroccan party. For this, you will need an artisanal tray, the customary teapot, and assorted small Moroccan glasses.
The Office went for a set of colorful Moroccan glasses which is a popular choice in Morocco. You can also opt for a more discreet set with white or transparent Moroccan tea glasses.
What food is Phyllis serving at the Moroccan Christmas Party?
When I watched the Superfan extended version of this episode (streaming now on Peacock), I used my eagle eyes to spot all the food Phyllis was serving at the party. I saw hummus, pita bread, meat, and veggie skewers and halwa chebakia cookies. Plus a pitcher of red wine sangria with citrus fruits.
While hummus and pita bread are Lebanese and not Moroccan, the Chebakia and Halwa cookies, meat, and veggie skewers - also called katban - are important components of Moroccan cuisine and are often served during Moroccan parties and celebrations. So, spot on!
Hot to Make Moroccan Mint Tea Like the One Served in The Office
There is a whole ceremony about making and serving Moroccan mint tea. It’s all about gathering, and connecting with your guests while serving this delicious heart-warming tea.
There are many variations of the Moroccan mint tea recipe, below is the easiest to make - yet very delicious!
Ingredients:
6 sprigs of fresh mint, plus extra for garnish
2 teaspoons gunpowder tea
2 tablespoons sugar or to taste
4 cups water
Preparation Steps:
Boil the water and pour a small amount into the teapot. Add the tea leaves and swish the teapot around to rinse them.
Add the sugar to the teapot, then fill it with the remaining hot water.
Brew for 2 minutes.
Add the fresh mint and let boil for an additional 1 minute.
Oscar Is Enjoying Besseha
In the extended Superfan Episode of The Office Moroccan Christmas (streaming now on Peacock), Oscar talks about how he learned the meaning of the word Besseha which means enjoy and relax.
That’s 100% correct! Besseha is a Moroccan word meaning I hope you will enjoy something or I hope you enjoyed something. It can be used in many contexts, for example after or before a delicious meal, after or before someone gets a haircut, after or before someone buys a car, etc. You get the idea!
Write out a special message to a friend or loved one on a hilarious card adorned with a Santa Phillis.
Moroccan Party Activities
Creed is Smoking a Hookah
Hookah is used in many private Moroccan parties, especially men-only parties. So yes, you can absolutely add it to your party and be on theme.
Is Belly Dancing Authentically Moroccan?
While drinking and catching her hair on fire, Meredith wears a belly dancing tassel hip skirt.
Moroccan women love to dance, and it’s very hard for them to resist dancing when music is on. At Moroccan parties, hip tassels are mostly worn by professional belly dancers. Women also wear them in private, women-only dance parties so it’s totally appropriate for you to offer hip tassels to your guests.
What to Wear to a Moroccan Party
Phyllis and the Fez Hats
Phyllis tries to make all the men wear burgundy fez hats with black tassels. Stanley rebuffs with a sassy comment: "I will not be the big guy in a tiny hat."
In popular culture, Moroccan Fez hats - also called Tarbouche - are probably the most cliché headgear when it comes to representing Moroccan men. Many pop culture characters have appeared sporting the famous Moroccan red hat.
While Fez hats were a traditional accessory part of every Moroccan men's closet, they have been less and less worn in the last decades. Now, they are mostly associated with Moroccan traditional singers and Philarmonic music artists. They stay however a classic piece to add a quick Moroccan touch to any outfit.
Traditional Moroccan Clothing
In the episode Creed is wearing traditional white men's djellaba clothing. This is also on theme. Moroccan men often wear white djellabas in most celebrations. The Djellaba is a traditional attire for Moroccan men made with linen and cotton and hand-sewn by artisans.
If you’re a woman attending a Moroccan themed party, you can dress in vibrant and colorful long dresses. The fabrics can have prints and metallic trims. Accessorize with scarves and gold accent jewelry.
In Conclusion…
I hope you enjoyed our nerdy detailed breakdown of a classic The Office episode. And please leave a comment if you are planning your own Moroccan themed party and tell us all about it!
