This holiday season may be different for quite a few people. Though some families are used to celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and even the holidays from a distance, most of us are experiencing socially distanced celebrations for the first time. How can you enjoy the holidays with your family when you can't be there in person?

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With today's technology, staying in touch is easier than ever before. Moving beyond a simple phone call, today you can actually see each other while chatting. Here are some options:

Video Chatting

The first and most obvious choice during the holidays is to enjoy simply video chatting with your loved ones. With the plethora of choices out there for this--Facetime, Zoom, WebEx, Skype, and more--you can get together face to face virtually. Enjoy catching up with your family members while getting to see each other through the video on your phone, tablet, computer, or other device.

Video Cooking

This is a fun twist on the video chat. Rather than just sitting and talking face to face, try cooking a meal. Sharing a traditional dish you typically enjoy when you're all together is easy when you cook together while video chatting. Pass down family recipes, share kitchen tips and tricks, or show how you put your own twist on a shared dish. For something extra special, bake holiday cookies together. Yum!

Reading a Holiday Classic

After visiting for a few minutes, take the time to read a short holiday classic to the kids. Grandma and Grandpa or a distant Aunt or Uncle could read The Polar Express, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas to little ones far away. Bonus points for using different voices!

Video Crafting and Decorating

Here's a fun idea... do some holiday crafts or decorate together while on video chat. Have each household on the chat get a gingerbread house kit and assemble and decorate them together. Another option is to decorate the Christmas tree together. Take turns playing your favorite holiday tunes and sharing stories about favorite decorations while trimming the tree.

OLD-FASHIONED HOLIDAYS

Just because we can use technology to get together doesn't mean we have to. Have an old-fashioned holiday and send your love via snail mail.

Gifts By Mail

Sending gifts to loved ones far away is nothing new. We've been doing this for decades (even longer, actually). Shop for those perfect gifts for your loved ones and have them delivered directly to their homes or have them delivered to you and wrap them yourself. Send your beautifully wrapped gifts in time for the big day and follow up with a phone call.

Phone Calls

You don't have to have a video call to enjoy catching up with your loved ones. A simple phone call is completely sufficient. Hearing your loved one's voice is such a joy at the holidays.

SHARE LOCAL EVENTS

Each town celebrates the holidays in a myriad of ways. Some have concerts and parades while others have drive through holiday light exhibits. Take the time to attend these events and record them to share with your loved ones through one of the many social media tools available. If you don't want to attend an organized event, there are those neighborhoods where just about everyone decorates. Drive through and take videos and pictures to share.

We hope these ideas help you find ways to celebrate the holidays with your family even if you can't be together in person. Remember that the holidays are less about spending money and more about spending quality time with your loved ones and you can do that while still being apart.

Happy holidays!