There’s never a good time to have loved ones far from home, but Christmas can be one of the hardest. We miss them even more when they’re not with us to share traditions, enjoy grandies, open gifts, and gather round the table for a celebratory dinner. So this Christmas, we encourage you to prioritise connecting with overseas loved ones in as many ways as possible. Check out some of the following suggestions to make it happen!
Digital dates
Christmas is a full-on time for young families busy with work and festive arrangements. Offer to help out by digitally ‘baby-sitting’ while Mum or Dad are in the same room, busy with their own activities. Babysitting can include Zooming in to read a Christmas story to little ones, or playing a game of cards with them.
Join in with the tradition of dressing the Christmas tree by asking family to leave the Zoom (or Messenger- or WhatsApp-video) open while you watch the grandchildren enjoying the activity. There’s no need to interact while it’s going on unless the children want to show you a special decoration.
Christmas is so different in every part of the world. Schedule a video call to share 10 minutes of a December trip down town with family. Let them take you with them to their German Christmas market, or window-shop the High Street with them to take in the festive displays.
Every grandparent wants to attend their grandchild’s end-of-year school or kindy breakup, and there’s no reason for you to miss out just because you live far away. Ask family to record these events for you, then get them to send you a link so you can watch them at your leisure.
Record a visit to a community Christmas tree, parade, or carol service and send it to family to let them know how you’re spending the lead-up to Christmas.
Video calling for an entire Christmas dinner session with family abroad is taxing for everyone, but why not make a date to share starters, or sherry and Christmas cake, online! Be sure to get your international times in sync, then make the date for a 15 minute celebration.
Open gifts together online, or schedule a show-and-tell where the grandchildren display their Christmas presents or tell you how a new toy or game works.
Send a digital advent calendar to the grandchildren. Ask older grandchildren to send you a photo of the treat they open.
At home
Keep far away family close with a digital photo album displayed where you see it regularly. Add a touch of tinsel or fairy lights to the frame, and pop some Christmas decorations alongside it.
Pop a ‘long movie’ onto your screen to help you feel more connected to the place where your far-away-family lives. Great examples include ‘One Hour Walk in a Swedish Forest’ and ‘1 Hour of Relaxing Film Photography in Scotland.’ The movie can run in the background of your activities, or you can enjoy the whole thing while you have an afternoon rest.
Craft a New Year gift that can be sent to a loved one. As you knit, sew, crochet, or carve, you’ll be ‘with them’ in thought.
Bake a traditional Christmas treat in the tradition of the country your loved ones are living in – then share it online with them when you next call in for a chat.
Learn a Christmas greeting in the language of the country where your loved ones live, and surprise them with it when you call on Christmas day!
No-one’s saying having family far from home at Christmas is easy, but lessen the impact by staying connected in imaginative ways!
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