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How to Make Your Online Holiday Gathering Merrier!

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The More, the Merrier!

The holidays are upon us once more, but this year they will have a new twist. Just because we are doing more gatherings online doesn’t mean that they can’t still be merry and bright. With so many options for online video conferencing, there’s no reason to limit the number of gatherings or the number of people. In fact, online holiday gatherings give revelers the opportunity to get super creative!

 Start with a Little Brainstorming

There’s nothing like a brainstorming session with close friends or family to get the creative juices flowing. Think of all the things you might do at an in-person gathering and see how you may incorporate them into an online version. Put all your best ideas together, and you’re ready to plan a party.

Consider Décor

Décor can be a festive backdrop you make yourself. Try setting up a mini-photo shoot at home using your smartphone. It could be a beautiful shot of your holiday tree, wreath or menorah — whatever you’re celebrating. Maybe it’s a stack of beautifully wrapped gifts or a lineup of festive candles. The sky is the limit, so feel free to be innovative in your design. You could incorporate a fun virtual contest to see who has the most imaginative background. Many of the online videoconferencing services have a voting mechanism too.

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Fun with Fashion

Let’s face it; everyone likes to dress up. Being homebound should not prevent you from having a dressy holiday affair. If you miss getting dressed up and going out to festive galas, try having your party guests don their best formal dresses or suits to get in the mood. A party requiring some sort of fun accessory — such as an ugly sweater — is always a great way to get everyone involved and feeling festive. Consider a themed party where you ask everyone to dress in a specific period of our history, such as the ’60s or ’70s. Another contest idea could be who has the best look.

What about Food?

Since food might be tough to share this year, imagine planning a party for Christmas or Hanukah for which you have a rolling potluck. But instead of each guest bringing a homemade dish, consider supporting your local restaurants and doing a group delivery order in which everyone chips in to have their food delivered. Then tune in online to enjoy your appetizers and/or dinner together! If you do still want to cook, how about sharing those traditional family recipes you can’t live without? You still get to enjoy your mom’s famous stuffing, and your uncle’s gravy, but you get it all to yourself,

Virtual Games

Games such as charades are a perfect way to have fun online and generate some much-needed laughter. Establish holiday-themed topics or whatever you think might be fun for your individual group. Then sit back and watch the action unfold.

Gingerbread House Contest

Keeping in the spirit of competition, enlist friends and family to create the ultimate holiday gingerbread house. Post the results online and let your followers decide who built it best!

Host a White Elephant Gift “Exchange”

Everyone has probably attended a white elephant gift exchange at one time or another. It’s a fun party in which guests scour their homes for something silly to contribute to a blind gift exchange. Online, you won’t be able to actually exchange the gifts, but try a different take on this type of gathering. Consider asking your guests to find their own silly items at home, wrap them up and do the same fun exchange online. The bonus of it being online is that no one actually has to take the item home.

Virtual Mocktail Hour

Sip into the season with a virtual mocktail party! Pair your mocktail of choice with a unique charcuterie board made with fresh cheeses, fruits, nuts and more! You can even assign each participating household a theme for their board — like Mediterranean favorites or chocolate from around the world — and see who can get the most creative. This way, each guest may have their own mini-experience and still share it with their favorite group.

When you plan your holiday celebrations, remember that you don’t have to sacrifice the festive fun this year. And although we are all missing the hugs and kisses of our loved ones — especially those who are long distance — we may all feel the virtual love.