How to Connect with Family During the Holidays
With all the hustle and bustle however, it’s easy to forget what the holidays are really all about. True connection with our families is one of the most important things that go along with the holidays.
Connection means making quality time for our families in order to make wonderful memories together. Here are some ways you can do just that!
Make and Share a Meal Together
If you’re getting together for the holidays, then it’s more than likely you will be making some great food to share. Rather than letting the food prep become an overwhelming task, use it as an opportunity to connect.
You might give different family members separate tasks in the kitchen to create a meal that comes together as one. It can also be great to use the opportunity to pass on family recipes or make something new and exciting together.
If you have family members who won’t be able to make it for the holidays, you can use food to show them you care. Drop off a home cooked meal to their door, or consider mailing over some cookies. The gesture can go a long way.
Spread Holiday Joy by Volunteering
Nothing brings family together like the pride and joy that goes along with volunteering. You might give back by hosting a party to bring the community together, getting active in a holiday food drive, or helping out in a shelter.
Not only does the act of volunteering help to bond your family, it also allows you to contribute to your community. This is especially important during the holidays when other family’s need it the most.
Be sure to look up volunteer opportunities in your area, or see if one of your favorite charities is looking for help. You are bound to connect with your loved ones on a whole new level.
Create Handwritten Cards Together
Technology makes it easy to hop on a video call and start a conversation with just about anyone anywhere. Receiving a handwritten note or card however, can be a lot more meaningful - especially over the holidays.
Set some time aside to create beautifully handwritten cards for friends and family. This is a great way to show that you care and that you are thinking about them. Making it into a family activity is also a great way to connect with each other and bond over the people you love most!
Get Festive with Holiday Films
Everyone loves a good holiday film, so why not get together to do something that everyone loves? Whether it’s “The Grinch”, “Bad Santa”, or “Home Alone”, there are plenty of classics that can be enjoyed together.
If you can’t all be in one place to watch a film, you can always try out something like Netflix Party to sync up the film and make it feel like you’re watching it together.
See who can make the best snack and set up a cozy area that accommodates everyone. There’s nothing quite like a holiday movie one-liner to provide connection down the line.
Create a Coworking Space
There’s no denying that the holidays are a busy time. Whether it’s finishing up with deadlines, or attempting to tackle a pile of holiday homework. Coworking can be a great way to connect while getting work done.
If there are a few family members that need to get some work done, you might try setting up an area for them to work together rather than staying in separate rooms. Even without working on the same project it can be great to share a workspace and help each other stay motivated.
Coworking also provides an opportunity to help each other out with work and even provide new insights on your projects. There’s nothing quite like trying to solve math problems as a family!
Try out a Shared Activity
Trying out something new is a great way to connect. As a part of your holiday gift giving you might try a family activity as something for everyone to enjoy. This is a great way to take your gifts to the next level while also creating memories together.
Shared activities could include a paint night, skiing, a wine tasting, a workout class, or something even more elaborate like a family vacation. No matter the activity you choose, an active gift that helps you to interact, is a sure way to help you connect.
Then having distinct memories of things that you accomplished together is a great way to bond and reflect on the great times you had as a family.
Get Everyone Together Through Video Chat
Not everyone is going to be able to come home for the holidays, especially in our current world. Don’t forget to include those who are far away in distance and connect with them through video chat.
While it’s always great to share a meaningful conversation over video, sometimes you need to do a little bit more in order to connect and create memories. You might try playing an online game together as a new video chat experience, or even try watching a holiday film together.
It’s amazing how the simplest of things can help us feel closer, even if we are miles apart.
Make Your Memories Last a Lifetime
Once you have made family memories by connecting over the holidays, you will want to have a way to remember them! Creating a Memories Timeline is the perfect way to note down the special memories you created and share them for years to come.
You can invite your family members to collaborate and add their photos to the timeline, which makes it the perfect way to capture everything in one place. You will be able to remember the quality time you spent together, and add new holiday memories for years to come.