5 Ways to Connect Virtually with Friends and Family This Holiday Season

1. Do some cooking together

Celebrating apart isn't a new concept for Glad Loreen, 70, from Redmond, Washington. Her children are married with kids of their own, so they've learned to balance the holidays and visiting time with in-laws. Normally, they would connect by video and just talk, but this year the family has added a twist.

They joined Raddish Kids, a meal kit delivery service for children, and had their grandkids lead a cooking lesson over video. The family did it for the first time around Halloween. “It was a big hit,” Loreen says. “The basic thing that's so cool is the kids get some skill building, but then it's so much deeper than that with it being a shared experience.”

The family is planning to do the kids cooking lesson again for additional holiday celebrations. Families can recreate similar activities over video chat or hire a professional to lead cooking demonstrations around a specific meal or drink-making class.

2. Schedule a virtual movie night

Who doesn't love a good movie night? With some coordination and planning there are tons of ways for families who are separated this year to enjoy a movie together. Connecting through Teleparty, previously known as Netflix Party, is one option that allows viewers to watch a movie in sync and chat with one another in the same window.

Berke also suggests setting a time for everyone to watch a movie first and then connecting by video chat afterward to discuss thoughts on the film.

3. Try crafting activities

Hands-on activities are another way for the whole family to bond. Trixi Symonds, 61, from Sydney, Australia, is the founder of Sew a Softie, a project encouraging families to sew with their children.

"It's something that's accessible to everybody,” Symonds says. She has taught kids as young as 3 how to sew. Her website has ideas for simple projects along with detailed instructions on the materials families will need.

Families might sew or decorate Christmas stockings together on video chat, for example.

4. Game night can be for everyone

Another go-to option is to host a game night. This can be done in a variety of ways, says Flowers. Families can organize traditional games like a scavenger hunt or bingo over video chat, or sign up for services where games are incorporated, such as the Houseparty app (a group video chat service with built-in games), Kahoot! (an educational app that can host games of up to 10 people, such as trivia games) and Drawasaurus (similar to Pictionary — one player draws a picture while the others post their guesses in the chat window).

There are a wide range of possibilities, so explore and discuss what your family would enjoy most.

5. Share family memories

Simple gatherings where family members can reflect and speak from the heart may be the most powerful and meaningful. Michael Kipness, 63, from Las Vegas, says his family incorporates a memories theme in holiday celebrations and he plans to continue that tradition this year, but virtually.

"There's history that defines who we are,” Kipness says. He suggests sharing favorite memories, reminiscing over past holidays, remembering family members who have died and even discussing everyone's different experience with COVID-19 and the pandemic.

Kipness invested in a 27-inch monitor to get a better view of his family and grandkids (ages 2, 5 and 7) when they connect on video. He appreciates these moments and is looking forward to virtually sharing the holidays with them this year.

"One of the most important things for me is to instill in my kids and my grandkids my heritage,” he says. “What I've done in my life, and break it down so they can understand. … I also want to know what's going on in their lives.”