As the holiday season approaches, many of us will be engaging in Zoom meetings to connect with colleagues, friends, and family. With the traditional office parties and family gatherings off the table, these virtual meet-ups have become the new normal.

In this context, we've curated a list of six holiday-themed icebreakers designed specifically for Zoom meetings. These fun and engaging activities will not only lighten the mood but also help create a stronger bond among participants, despite the physical distance. Whether you're hosting a virtual office party or a family reunion, these icebreakers are sure to bring a festive cheer to your Zoom meeting.

1. Holiday Trivia

Prepare a list of holiday-themed trivia questions and ask each participant to answer one question. Keep the questions light and fun, such as "What is the most popular Christmas song of all time?" or "In which country is St. Nicholas known as Sinterklaas?" Be mindful of the difficulty level to ensure everyone can participate.

Pitfall to avoid: Make sure the questions are inclusive and not specific to one culture or religion, so everyone can feel included.

2. Holiday Memories

Ask each participant to share a favorite holiday memory from their childhood. This can be a heartwarming and nostalgic way to connect with one another and learn more about each other's traditions.

Pitfall to avoid: Be sensitive to participants who may not have positive holiday memories or who come from different cultural backgrounds where holidays are celebrated differently.

3. Virtual Gift Exchange

Ask participants to think of a virtual gift they would like to give to someone on the call. They can describe the gift or share a picture of it. This can be a fun and creative way to engage everyone and spark conversations.

Pitfall to avoid: Remind participants that this is a virtual gift exchange and not a real one, so they don't feel obligated to purchase or send gifts.

4. Holiday Recipe Sharing

Invite participants to share their favorite holiday recipe or a dish they enjoy making during the holiday season.

5. Festive Scavenger Hunt

Ask participants to find a specific holiday-related item in their home. The first one to bring it back to the camera wins. Pitfall to avoid: Ensure the items are common enough that most people would have them in their homes.

6. Virtual Holiday Bingo

Create a bingo card with holiday-related words or images. As the meeting progresses, participants can mark off items when they come up in conversation. Pitfall to avoid: Make sure to keep the game secondary to the meeting itself, so it doesn't distract from the main agenda.

7. Holiday Pictionary

Use the Zoom whiteboard feature to play a quick round of Pictionary using only holiday-themed words or phrases. Pitfall to avoid: Ensure all participants are familiar with the game rules and how to use the whiteboard feature.

8. Share a Holiday Tradition

Ask each participant to share a unique holiday tradition they have with their family or friends. Pitfall to avoid: Be mindful of cultural differences and ensure all participants feel comfortable sharing their traditions.

9. Favorite Holiday Food

Ask participants to share their favorite holiday food or drink, and if there's a special story or tradition attached to it. Pitfall to avoid: Be mindful of dietary restrictions and cultural differences when discussing food and drink.