The year 2020 was rough all around, but perhaps the worst part was how little time we got to spend with our loved ones. Canceled graduations, postponed baby showers, and virtual wedding ceremonies became the norm as everyone tried to stay safe and healthy. Right now, we are smack in the middle of the holiday season, and you might be wondering how you’ll make it through the holidays without your family and friends.
(Pixabay / StockSnap)
While nothing can replace quality in-person time, there are some ways to remain connected with your loved ones even when you’re forced to celebrate long distance. We’ve compiled a list of five things you can do this holiday season to celebrate when everyone’s far away.
1. Schedule Something Fun for the Big Day
This idea is first because it takes the most planning, but it can be very worthwhile and heartwarming. A Zoom family talent show, opening Secret Santa presents over Skype, or a video ball drop on New Year’s Eve can be fun to do even when you’re miles apart.
Additionally, long-distance family games nights have never been easier. BINGO and trivia is always a winning combination, and gift cards for the winners are easy to send in the mail. Additionally, gaming sites like Jackbox Games have online games that provide easy and hilarious fun for long-distance families. The ever-popular smartphone game “Among Us” is easy to play with the entire family no matter where you’re located, and even board games like Headbanz, Box of Lies, and Bananagrams can be modified for long-distance fun over Zoom, Skype, Messenger, FaceTime or Google Duo.
2. Introduce Some Tech
“Necessity is the mother of invention” certainly rings true with people in the tech world, and those with the skills and entrepreneurial spirit have fared well during this pandemic. There is an incredible amount of technology out there to help you feel connected to your loved ones even when you can’t physically be together. Here are two pieces of out-of-this-world tech for you to consider:
- Friendship lamps: These lamps are so cool! They connect over WIFI and have 10 or more colors to help you express your mood to your loved ones. All you have to do is tap the lamp in your home, and the lamp (or lamps) that it’s connected to will light up as a way to remind your loved ones that you’re thinking of them.
- Touch bracelets: Touch bracelets look a little like a fitness band and take the physical reminder one step further by introducing a tactile component. When you wear the bracelet, you can tap it to send a vibration and light to your loved one’s bracelet wherever they are in the world. It’s a neat reminder that no matter the distance separating you, you can stay connected with a little tech. If bracelets aren’t your style, there are also long-distance touch necklaces that are very stylish as well.
3. Set a Cardboard Cutout
Ah, the good ol’ life-sized cutout. Nothing says, “Mark wishes he were here!” like a life-sized foam-core or cardboard cutout of Uncle Mark’s entire body. Whether you’re dressed in your holiday get up or your everyday garb, this cutout is sure to bring laughter to the house throughout the holidays (even if it gets stuffed up in the attic when the festivities are over). There are a lot of different companies that print these. Just type “life-sized cutouts” into your favorite search engine.
4. Try a New Recipe and Review Together
The holidays are notorious for traditional family recipes, but this year, you might start a new tradition together: cooking or baking something different. Each household agrees to try making the same new recipe and then after dinner, you gather ‘round the phone or in front of the computer and discuss what you liked or didn’t like about it.
5. Send Baked Goods
If you can’t deliver cookies to grandma’s front porch like you used to, you can at least send them in the mail. The challenge is making sure that they arrive intact and fresh, however. Here are some tips to making sure they show up unbroken and still tasty:
- Skip the nuts and frosting because they can lead to the baked goods going bad faster
- Wrap everything in airtight plastic before packaging
- Package strongly smelling things separately – you don’t want your chocolate chip cookies to taste like peppermint
- If everything you’re sending is soft, package them with a slice of bread to keep them from going stale
- Don’t skimp on the packing material. Packing paper, packing peanuts, newspaper – you should have those baked goods packed so tightly that you don’t hear anything move when you shake the box.
Of course, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of baking, packaging, and then braving the post office, you can always order online cookies and get them delivered. Our gourmet cookies are delivered right to your loved one’s door and make excellent holiday cookie gifts. With over 12 cookie varieties available, you are sure to find something to tickle everyone’s fancy. And with same-day or overnight delivery, they will be fresh and ready to fill your loved one’s home with holiday cheer!
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