How it works
These winter icebreaker questions cover the part of the season with no holiday in it: 60 cards about snow, cold, warm food and staying in. Another 46 handle January and the new year, at home and at work.
Read the full guide
Pick the topic for the week
In December and February, press Snow and cold, Cozy indoors, Warm food and drinks or Out in the snow; none names a holiday. For the year's first meeting, press New year at work: its 12 new year icebreaker questions for work cover the team, a shortcut to learn and the first task back.
What the new year cards ask
The New year topic holds 22 cards, half looking back and half ahead. Start by looking back: last year's best meal is easier to say aloud than a goal. The custom is old: Babylonians promised to return borrowed farm equipment, and Romans made promises to Janus, the god January is named after. One of the 12 January icebreaker questions asks what you are beginning.
- No snow where you are? Press Warm food and drinks. "Is soup a meal or only a starter?" works at any temperature.
- South of the equator, winter runs June to August: deal the 60 season cards mid-year and the new year topics in January.
- The shortest day falls on December 21 or 22 in the north. That week, deal "How do you feel about the sun setting before dinner?"
Questions and answers
Do these winter icebreaker questions mention any holidays?
The 60 cards outside the January, New year and New year at work topics name no festival, gift or decoration. Those three cover the turn of the calendar year, and none mentions a toast or a party. December festivals have their own deck.
Which cards suit the first team meeting of the year?
Press New year at work. "Have you written the wrong year on anything yet?" gets a quick laugh. Do not ask anyone to announce a resolution: common ones are about weight, exercise or smoking, which nobody should have to share with colleagues.
Is there a winter deck for a class or a youth group?
Not this one. It is written for adults: New year at work is for colleagues, and the looking-back cards assume a grown-up year. For a class, use the kids deck for ages 5 to 12 or the middle school deck.