Christmas is a time for bringing family together, for reflecting on the year that was and looking towards the future. This Christmas will be different for many of us, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be together. In fact, 2020 has gifted us with a new way of socialising – from group texts and Zoom Quizzes to online yoga retreats and book clubs. To help Spark a Little Joy this festive season, we have compiled our top 5 ways to stay connected with your loved ones this Christmas.
How to Stay Connected During the Festivities
The ‘House Phone’
If you don’t have access to a camera for video calling, a traditional phone call is a great way to stay connected with family and friends. Remember, the older generation are used to picking up the landline, so give them a call on their house phone.
Facebook Portal
If you are sick and tired of setting up endless Zoom calls, you should give the Facebook Portal a go. With the click of a button, you can call your friends and family on Messenger or WhatsApp. The Smart Camera even pans and zooms to keep up with all the family action. This is the perfect device for those who can’t be together (in real life) this Christmas!
To Spark a Little Joy in your household this Christmas, Electric Ireland are giving away a Facebook Portal bundle worth over £300 –check out our recent Facebook post for details!
Online Party
Partygoers rejoice. We may not be able to attend the office party or the Christmas jumper pub crawl this year, but we do have the next best thing. Using Facetime or Zoom, your party people can stream the same music simultaneously using Spotify’s Group Sessions.
Both host and guests can pause, play, skip, and select tracks as well as add in songs of their own so no one will have to shout for their request! This is a fun and entertaining way to stay connected this Christmas and it means you can still belt out some festive classics.
Send a Christmas Card or Letter
At this busy time of the year, it can be difficult to schedule a phone or video call with loved ones, especially if you live in different time zones. This year take the traditional approach and send a Christmas card or letter. Check out Moonpig, Funky pigeon or get the kids involved in making a heart-felt Christmas card.
Play an Online Game
It’s understandable that some of us will never want to hear the words ‘Zoom Quiz’ again. However, if you’re virtually connecting with your family and friends online, there are other games you can enjoy together. You can use the whiteboard feature on Zoom to play Pictionary or Guess Who. Make sure you nominate someone to referee the game as it can be harder to control the competitive family members!
How are you sparking a little joy this Christmas? Let us know using the hashtag #SmarterLiving and you could be in with a chance of winning a Facebook Portal to stay connected with your loved ones.