Long-Distance Holiday
Whether you just moved out of state (or country) or have lived a long distance from family for years, staying in touch over the holidays each year can prove to be tough. However, when you and your children take time to get creative, staying connected can be a lot of fun for everyone in the family!
Here are eight fun ways to say hello long-distance:
Handmade gifts. Let them know you’re thinking about them by sending in the mail something your child has created, whether a coloring page or a fun craft project she made at home or school. For some fun craft ideas to do at home, check out sites like Pinterest (Pinterest.com) for inspiration.
Photos. It’s so easy nowadays to take photos! With phone cameras, you can click away and text the photos to family or upload them to the social media of your choice. You also can have your photos printed onto cards, mugs, key chains and more on various photo websites or even in stores. Or you may opt to make a little photo album to send to the family. Oh, and for just $1, you can send a photo as a postcard using Postagram (PostagramApp.com).
Write a letter. That’s right … write! Handwritten letters have a personal touch, and you can invest in some cute stationery for children on websites like Shutterfly.com or TinyPrints.com. What’s more, you can have the papers monogrammed with your child’s initials. For children who are unable to write just yet, write a note for them and have them scribble on the letter to add their own personal flare.
Keep a blog. It’s easy (and fun) to do! Document your child’s life so that long-distance family will feel included in your everyday activities. There are a number of free and easy-to-use sites for blogging, such as Wordpress.com and Blogger.com.
Pottery. Have some fun while making great gifts for family! Visit a local paint-your-own-pottery studio and let your kids get messy with paint. Pick out a mug, set of coasters or cookie jar and allow your little one(s) to paint and stamp their handprints or footprints on them. What a great homemade keepsake!
Skype. Have a face-to-face conversation with long-distance family on the computer! It’s just like being in the same room with them. Skype is free, and signing up is easy. Go to Skype.com for more information.
Social Media. It’s so easy to keep in touch these days with the Internet. More and more grandparents are signing up on Facebook, and they love to see recent photos and videos that you post of their precious grandchildren playing instruments, singing songs or reciting their ABCs. So, get busy posting to make them smile!
Telephone Date. Too busy for creativity? Make a phone date with family by setting a specific day and time to talk…and sticking with it. This also will teach your children that a simple phone call can brighten someone’s day.
Liberty mom and author Gina Klein and her family love keeping in touch with long-distance relatives throughout the year, whether it’s via snail mail or online. No matter how they do it, her two daughters always add their own personal flare!