It’s freezing out there, so let’s break the ice!

Data consistently shows that icebreakers are an essential ‌tool for creating a positive and engaging atmosphere in team meetings. They help break down barriers, foster connections, and set the stage for productive collaboration.

With the holiday season upon us, what better way to infuse some festive cheer into your virtual team meetings than with holiday-themed icebreaker templates?

We circled up with our team to come up with some ideas for you to surprise and delight yours. (And to be honest, we’re pretty proud of the results.) Whether you're looking to build a snowman, decorate a gingerbread house, or create your own ugly holiday sweater, these templates will help your team connect, have fun, and get into the holiday spirit.

And so, without further ado…

Build Your Own Snowman (BYOS) icebreaker template

An image of the Mural BYOS template — Build (without freezing your hands) with the Mural BYOS template

The "Build Your Own Snowman" icebreaker template lets you play in the snow in a virtual team meeting. With this template, team members can collaborate visually to create their own unique snowmen, fostering creativity, teamwork, and fun.

To use the "Build Your Own Snowman" template in Mural, follow these steps:

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.
Have each team member select a section of the snowman template and customize it with their own creative elements. They can add accessories, facial features, and even give their snowman a unique personality.
Encourage team members to collaborate and interact with each other's snowmen by leaving comments or suggestions.
Once everyone has finished building their snowmen, take a moment to appreciate and discuss each creation. This can be a great opportunity for team members to share their thought processes, inspiration, and any interesting stories behind their snowman designs.
Wrap up the activity by highlighting the teamwork and creativity displayed by the team. You can also use this opportunity to transition into the main agenda of your team meeting.

The "Build Your Own Snowman" icebreaker template not only brings a touch of winter wonder to your virtual team meeting but also encourages collaboration, creativity, and a sense of shared accomplishment. It sets a positive and engaging tone for the meeting, allowing team members to connect on a more personal level and build stronger relationships.

Decorate a gingerbread house icebreaker template

An image of the Mural decorate a gingerbread house template — Build a virtual gingerbread city with your team with the Mural gingerbread house template

The "Decorate a Gingerbread House" icebreaker template is a delightful and creative activity that allows team members to work together virtually to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses. This template promotes collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills while infusing a festive spirit into your team meeting.

To use the "Decorate a Gingerbread House" template in Mural, follow these steps:

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.
Have each team member select a section of the gingerbread house template and start decorating it with their own creative elements. They can add icing, candies, and other decorations to make their gingerbread house unique.
Encourage team members to collaborate and interact with each other's gingerbread houses by leaving comments or suggestions.
As the gingerbread houses take shape, team members can discuss their design choices, and even share tips on how to make their houses unique.
Once everyone has finished decorating their gingerbread houses, take a moment to appreciate and discuss each creation. This can be a great opportunity for team members to share their inspiration, favorite decorations, and any interesting stories related to gingerbread houses.

The "Decorate a Gingerbread House" icebreaker template not only allows team members to showcase their creativity but also encourages collaboration and communication. By working together virtually to create their own gingerbread houses, team members can strengthen their bonds, foster a sense of camaraderie, and have fun in the process.

Create your ugly holiday sweater icebreaker template

An image of the Mural ugly holiday sweater template — Impress your friends with the world’s ugliest sweater

The "Ugly Holiday Sweater" icebreaker template is a fun and lighthearted activity that allows team members to unleash their creativity and design their own unique ugly holiday sweaters. This template brings a touch of humor and holiday spirit to your virtual team meeting while fostering collaboration and encouraging team members to express their individuality.

To use the "Ugly Holiday Sweater Design" template in Mural, follow these steps:

Set a time for 5-10 minutes.
Have each team member select a section of the sweater template and start designing their own ugly holiday sweater. They can use various shapes, colors, patterns, and holiday-themed elements to create a truly unique and eye-catching design.
Encourage team members to collaborate and interact with each other's sweater designs by leaving comments or suggestions.
As the sweater designs take shape, team members can discuss their design choices, share funny anecdotes, and offer compliments on one another's creativity.
Once everyone has finished designing their ugly holiday sweaters, take a moment to appreciate and discuss each creation. This can be a great opportunity for team members to share the inspiration behind their designs, funny stories related to ugly holiday sweaters, and even vote for the "ugliest" sweater design.

The "Ugly Holiday Sweater Design" icebreaker template not only brings laughter and holiday cheer to your virtual team meeting but also encourages collaboration, creativity, and self-expression. By designing their own ugly holiday sweaters, team members can showcase their individuality, bond over shared humor, and create a positive and engaging atmosphere.

Connect better with your team this holiday season

As the year winds down and people begin to gather for holiday celebrations, a few minutes of fun with your team can make a big difference. Help everyone reflect on the year together, recognize how far you’ve come, and also just generally be unserious for a second so that you build lasting relationships and bonds that'll serve you well into the next year.

Whether in-person or virtual, meetings that intentionally build in connection and feature visual collaboration are more successful. Mural lets you stay connected, even when you’re a world away.