Because Zoom is Still a Thing: 33 Extra-Festive Holiday Backgrounds for All of Your Calls

If you had asked me back in December 2020 if I thought we’d still be using Zoom to gather during the 2021 holiday season, I would’ve laughed in your cute lil face. But months and months have passed by and we're still...out here doing the damn thing. So why not lean into the festivities with some holiday Zoom backgrounds?

Whether your office is still working remotely (hi, same!), your fam is choosing to celebrate the season virtually again, or you're just keeping in touch with your long-distance BFFs, we've learned that backgrounds are v necessary to make Zoom a fun time—along with party games, of course. Meh, at the very least you'll put a smile on the face of your fellow Zoomers and spread some holiday cheer. That oughta get you on the nice list, right?

If you’re not so sure how to add a virtual background, we’ve made it easy for you. Just follow these instructions:

  1. Download your favorite festive works of art below via right-click or just drag-and-dropping to your desktop.

  2. In the bottom left corner of your Zoom window (while you’re Zooming), you’ll see an icon that says “Stop video.” Click the little arrow right next to it, and select “Choose a virtual background.”

  3. Then upload one or all of these and share with your Zoom buddies!

Happy Zooming! (P.S. someone please let me know when we can officially retire that phrase?)

A (very relatable) holiday-themed Cosmo cover:

Photo credit: Mary Fama
Photo credit: Mary Fama
Photo credit: Mary Fama
Photo credit: Mary Fama

This banner to get everyone in the mood:

Photo credit: Mary Fama
Photo credit: Mary Fama
Photo credit: Mary Fama
Photo credit: Mary Fama

Various foliage to pretend you're frolicking outside:

Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash

Cozy fireplace vibes for warmth:

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash

Glorious eats because there's nothing better:

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: sankai - Getty Images
Photo credit: sankai - Getty Images
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: fcafotodigital - Getty Images
Photo credit: fcafotodigital - Getty Images
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash

Some snowy forests sans the cold:

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash

Sparkly things to bring out all the holiday cheer:

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Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash

Aaand, just some dogs. You're welcome:

Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Unsplash
Photo credit: Maya Karkalicheva - Getty Images
Photo credit: Maya Karkalicheva - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jagoda Matejczuk / 500px - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jagoda Matejczuk / 500px - Getty Images
Photo credit: Vectorig - Getty Images
Photo credit: Vectorig - Getty Images

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