Meaningful Ways to Stay Connected From Afar
Loneliness can feel more noticeable during the holidays, especially when distance or full schedules make it harder to gather with loved ones. Sharing a favorite recipe, offering to shovel a neighbor’s driveway, ordering a surprise dinner to be delivered to a friend, or hosting a virtual movie night can bring back the warmth of connection even from far away.
These gestures not only brighten someone else’s day but also remind you of the comfort and calm that come from staying connected.
The holidays can be joyful and festive, but they can also bring moments of loneliness, especially if you can’t be with family or friends this year. Even when distance, busy schedules, or travel costs keep people apart, spreading love and kindness can help you feel close, supported, and connected.
Thanks to technology and a little creativity, you can brighten up someone’s day from nearly anywhere in the world. A simple phone call is always a good option, but there are plenty of other ways to spread cheer to friends, family, and strangers.
This week, check out our list of 10 inventive ways to spread kindness this holiday season.
Create a Family/Friend Scrap Book
There are tons of different online services where you can upload pictures from your phone or computer and transform them into a personalized book of memories. Put one together for your family or friends, and ship them out for the holiday.
Send Flowers or a Small Gift
If family or friends are in driving distance, you can make the delivery yourself, but there are also great services that can help you gift a bouquet of flowers.
Encourage Meditation and Deep Breathing
Sharing meditation techniques or deep breathing GIFs with friends and family can help them stay calm during the stress of the holiday season. GIFs and guided meditations are easy to send, simple to use, and can make a big impact.
Facetime Your Grandparents or Aunts/Uncles
You know they love to see your face. Try a video chat instead of the traditional phone call. Take it one step further and make the commitment to video chat a relative every Monday this month.
Send a Motivational Text
You never know how someone is feeling on the inside. A kind message can make someone’s whole day. Send a motivational message, like a short “thinking of you,” uplifting quote, or supportive note to let someone know they matter.
Host a Virtual Movie Night
Pick a holiday movie or favorite show, start it at the same time, and chat before or after. It can feel surprisingly close even when you’re miles apart.
Offer Help to a Neighbor
If someone nearby could use a hand–an older adult, a busy parent, or a friend recovering from an illness–offer to shovel a walkway or run a simple errand. A simple trip to the grocery store could be just the gift a person needs to get them through the holiday.
Write a Letter
A lost art, letter writing is a deeply personal form of communication. Everyone loves getting mail, and receiving a handwritten letter can really brighten up someone’s day.
Share Recipes and Send a Treat
One of the many joys of the holiday season is the food. Share some of your favorite recipes with family and friends, or send baked goods or nonperishables in the mail. You can also use a delivery service to send dinner to a loved one and surprise them with a night off from cooking.
Start a Book Club or Podcast Swap
If you’re expecting a lot of downtime this winter, why not put those extra hours to good use by devouring some good book? Besides being a helpful way to analyze and understand a novel, book clubs keep you accountable and motivate you to read that next chapter. Podcasts are also a great way to connect! Pick a few episodes to listen to together and chat about what you heard.