Bridging the Distance: Celebrating the Holidays With Faraway Family

The holidays are about meaningful connection. As the season approaches, many of us look forward to gathering around the table, sharing old stories, and making new memories. But for many seniors, especially those who live far from loved ones and aren’t able to travel, spending the holidays with family in person isn’t always possible.

That doesn’t mean, however, that the season has to feel lonely. With a little creativity and the help of technology, people can still feel a part of it all, even when they are separated by many miles.

Celebrating the Season Across the Miles

Here are some thoughtful and fun ways to celebrate the holidays virtually with the older adults in your life:

• Host a Virtual Holiday Meal

One of the highlights of the season is sharing a meal together. Coordinate a virtual dinner via Zoom, FaceTime, or another video platform. Cook the same recipes or send a meal delivery ahead of time so your senior loved one can enjoy the same dishes. Set up devices at the dinner table to create a sense of togetherness and allow for real-time conversation.

• Send a Holiday Care Package

Before the holiday, mail a care package filled with festive items like cookies, gifts, holiday decorations, and a handwritten card. You could even include matching accessories like holiday pajamas, hats, or scarves. Then set a date and time to open the box together over a video call—the added tactile and visual element will make the virtual connection more meaningful. If your senior loved one buys and ships gifts for everyone, open those packages during the call, too.

• Watch a Holiday Movie “Together”

Who doesn’t love a holiday movie classic like Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or It’s a Wonderful Life? Choose a classic holiday film and stream it at the same time while on a video call. Another option is to use a platform that synchronizes playback, like Teleparty or Kast, to watch the movie simultaneously. You can share reactions and favorite moments in real time—it will feel almost like you’re side by side on the couch, enjoying a bucket of popcorn.

• Share a Holiday Home Tour Via Video Chat

Another fun way to feel connected during this special time of year is by sharing virtual tours of one another’s homes. Walk through the house room by room to show your loved one your decorations, and then encourage them to do the same. You can take it up a notch by creating a playlist of everyone’s favorite holiday songs and playing it softly in the background during the holiday tours.

• Holiday Storytelling or Memory Sharing

Set up a video call and take turns sharing favorite holiday memories or family stories. Invite seniors to talk about how holidays were celebrated in their childhood or past decades. Don’t forget to include photos of past years’ celebrations. You could even record these stories to create a lasting family keepsake, an oral history that future generations will treasure.

• Don’t Limit Your Celebrations to Winter Holidays

One final tip is to think beyond just the more popular winter holidays. When your kids have their Halloween costumes on, hop on a video chat so grandparents or other seniors in the family can see the younger generation ready to trick or treat. Think of ways to prepare for the new year ahead, such as through reflections and goal setting, and share your thoughts and aspirations with one another. Taking just a few extra minutes to include a faraway family member in events and activities can help bridge the distance and keep everyone feeling connected.

Keeping a Loved One Safe From Miles Away

If you are like countless other adult children or family members of a senior, being separated by many miles can be stressful. Their safety is likely a leading concern. That’s where investing in a mobile monitoring device can be helpful.

If you aren’t familiar with them, this Frequently Asked Questions page might be of interest. You’ll find answers to everything from how the product works to the training required for the Medical Alert Care Specialists who respond to alerts!