Staying Connected Archives

While we all wish we could celebrate the holidays in person with friends and family, that’s not the reality for some of us. Maybe you live on the opposite coast from your family and the cost of a plane ticket is too big for your budget. Maybe your boss is making you come into work the day after Thanksgiving. (We have some separate advice for you if that’s the case.) Or maybe you just flat-out don’t want to deal with planes, trains, or automobiles during this, the busiest travel time of the year.

If you’re missing out on the experience of baking in the kitchen with Grandma, singing holiday songs surrounded by loved ones, or drinking cocoa together with your siblings as you decorate the house, all is not lost. There are still plenty of ways you can stay socially connected to your nearest and dearest this holiday season — especially if you’re willing to get a little creative.

Here are seven tips that can help bring you closer to your loved ones this holiday season, even if you can’t physically be with them.

1. Schedule virtual holiday parties

A holiday party, even if you’re having it from far away, is still bound to be a blast. You just have to commit to going all-out — and all-in — on decorations, entertainment, refreshments, and more.

staying socially connected with virtual christmas party

Send out online invitations to make sure guests know the details of the party. Once you get a headcount, you can make arrangements for the fun, incorporating food, drinks, games, and more ahead of time — just like you would an in-person party. Take it a step further and send out physical gifts; that way, you can open presents together during the party.

2. Hold a holiday book club or movie screening

If you and your loved ones read books or watch movies together as part of your annual holiday festivities, you can still keep the tradition going this year. Plan ahead and spend the month leading up to the holidays reading the same book or watching the same movies. Then, schedule a phone call or video chat to discuss them. Some streaming services even have a feature that lets you watch shows or movies with others at the same time.

Want to take the party to the next level? Share your favorite eggnog recipe with all the attendees and set up a cozy, holiday atmosphere to really get in the spirit.

3. Organize a gift exchange

staying socially connected with sending gifts

Being there and watching as a friend or family member unwraps the present you got for them is a great feeling, as is receiving a gift from someone and giving them a big, ol’ hug afterward. But if you can’t physically be together this year, you can still make your loved ones feel special with a gift exchange.

Designate one family member to be the point person, and have that individual match up givers with receivers. Then, have everyone pick out something thoughtful and send it to their intended recipient. On the big night, instruct everyone to hop on a video call and open up their presents, one by one. Or make it extra fun and go the Secret Santa route, and have people guess who they think got them their gift.

4. Make and send holiday letters and cards

Who says snail mail is boring? Communicate with your loved ones the old-fashioned way with holiday cards and letters. Those folks are sure to appreciate such a well thought-out, dedicated effort. Whether it’s planned or spontaneous, this is a great way to stay socially connected and show someone you’re thinking of them this holiday season.

5. Participate in virtual holiday classes

staying socially connected with virtual flower arranging

Many of us associate the holidays with making (and eating!) our favorite foods with our closest relatives. If cooking and sharing a meal with family isn’t an option this year, you can still replicate this tradition by whipping up a favorite seasonal dish or dessert and sending it to the people who will be missing it most this season.

Or, take advantage of the wonders of technology and sign up for a virtual culinary workshop, wherein you and your loved ones will learn to create the same gourmet foods from an expert instructor. Then, when you’re done, you can all sit down at the table and enjoy the fruits of your labor! If the members of your crew aren’t all that skilled in the kitchen but are more the crafty type, enroll in a flower arranging class and beautify your homes with fresh and festive blooms.

6. Invent a new tradition

There’s no time like the present to shake things up. Get Grandma to play a round of Fortnite with you, ask your mom to send over photos so you can create a holiday card together, organize a virtual toast with your entire family to foster the community spirit, or institute a holiday-themed family game night for those you already live with. Whatever you do, make this new tradition a fun favorite that will last for years to come.

7. Surprise loved ones with thoughtful gifts

If you’re still looking for the perfect way to stay socially connected and spread holiday cheer from afar, browse our Christmas collection to find floral arrangements and gifts for those you hold dear.

Ever trample a loved one’s spirit because you ignored a simple request…or worse? Maybe you forgot an anniversary, broke a promise, or spoke hurtful words in anger or frustration. We’ve all been there, to one degree or another. Unfortunately, we tend to hurt the ones we care about most.

Whether you haven’t been pulling your weight around the house, consistently show up late, or kept a big secret, by following these eight steps, you can smooth things over with a significant other you have wronged.

1. Put yourself in your partner’s shoes

Painting a picture of your loved one’s hurt evokes empathy and compassion, which leads to a thoughtful apology, says Amanda Craig, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Darien, Connecticut. “Really try to imagine what your partner experienced,” she says.

Accountability should be paramount in your apology. Instead of shifting the blame, clearly and sincerely take responsibility for your actions.

Eros Miranda

Relationship coach and host of the Eros to the Heart podcast

Part of the apology process is recognizing your role in the issue. “You must start by reflecting on the actions that contributed to the problem,” says relationship coach Eros Miranda, a TikTok influencer and host of the Eros to the Heart podcast.

Choose your timing wisely, Miranda recommends. Ask your significant other when is a good time to talk. “Your partner might be in need of space, so prioritize creating a safe and respectful environment,” she says.

2. Be genuine

“People on the receiving end of an apology can tell if it’s heartfelt or just words,” Craig warns. After you’ve taken time to reflect, choose words that are simple, straightforward, specific, and sensitive.

“When making an apology, the main key is to own up and admit that you made a mistake and say that you will work on doing better next time,” says relationship therapist Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, host of “Love Talk Live” on LA Talk Radio.

3. Take ownership of your role

Admit to your partner you know what you did; trying to underplay your role in your partner’s pain or frustration only exacerbates the problem. “Accountability should be paramount in your apology,” Miranda advises. “Instead of shifting the blame, clearly and sincerely take responsibility for your actions.”

how to say sorry with man apologizing to woman

Stick with just these two words: I’m sorry. “Pairing an apology with the ‘why’ often waters down the apology,” Craig says. You might have an explanation for why, but you shouldn’t make excuses. Keep the focus on what matters — that you feel empathy for the person you’ve mistreated.

4. Use the right words

Sometimes we don’t phrase our apologies correctly, and that can make matters worse.

Craig suggests keeping it simple. Her recommendations: “I realize when I said X, that hurt your feelings. I am sorry.” Or, “I didn’t get it at the time, but as I’ve reflected, I see when I did X, it made you feel Y. I’m sorry.”

Miranda agrees. A good apology, he says, might look like this: “I take responsibility for my actions because it was wrong of me to act that way. I should have realized how those actions would not only affect you but our relationship. However, I know that words are not enough. So, if it’s OK with you, I would love to sit down and try to find a compromise on how to fix it. I am ready to listen to you, respect your perspective, and be guided by your needs.”

Conversely, he says, a bad apology might sound like this: “Here we go again. You’re always starting things. I might have made a mistake, but it’s your fault I acted that way. I’m sorry you feel hurt, but you shouldn’t be surprised or angry. Let’s not worry about this anymore and just get over it instead, OK?”

5. Gifts are welcome

Having a talk, penning a note, writing a poem — these are all welcome ways of saying sorry. But a gift can really show your partner how much you care about their feelings. And the experts agree that knowing your loved one’s most treasured flowers is the ultimate show of connection.

Be thoughtful with a gift. “Instead of just saying you are sorry, accompany that apology with their favorite flowers and a note recognizing your mistakes and expressing how much they mean to you,” Miranda says.

how to say sorry with man giving woman flowers

And don’t underestimate the importance of special time together as a treat. “A surprise weekend getaway is a wonderful way to say ‘I’m sorry,’ especially if the reason you are apologizing is due to a lack of prioritizing the other person and the relationship,” Bronstein says. “Your gesture will mean that you will be spending more time together to bond and build up a better connection.”

Just don’t overdo it. Sending flowers with every apology shows a lack of understanding and intimacy. “You don’t want to give the same gift every time you say you’re sorry, especially if it’s frequently, because the gift will lose its meaning,” she says.

6. Give space for your partner to respond

Your partner may not be able to forgive you for certain things right away, and that’s OK. “They might want to reaffirm boundaries or perhaps ask for more space, but it is imperative to give them the opportunity to express their needs,” Miranda says. “This is your opportunity to not only make amends but to grow as you learn from your mistakes.” Take time to listen to them.

7. Think beyond today

Your relationship is bigger than this one issue. “Forward thinking helps your partner feel like you care enough to think about the future,” Craig says. “Use statements like ‘Next time I will do X instead’ or ‘I think in the future I want to do X because I care about your feelings.'” And then, follow through. Otherwise, your apologies are vacuous.

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8. Actions DO speak louder than words

Verbal apologies are important, but your behavior is what your partner will notice. If you say I’m sorry for leaving your shoes in front of the door, but you continue to leave them there every day after work, your words mean nothing.

“After an apology, you need to show your significant other that you have changed, and the only true tell-tale sign that you have changed is time,” Bronstein says. “That’s why it’s important to say, ‘Please, let me show you that I can do better. I know it will take time, but I promise you won’t have to deal with this again. Once again, I am truly sorry.'”

Words flow easily for some. You may say the right things but not show that you respect your partner by hearing their hurt and making meaningful change. “A genuinely remorseful partner is one that is willing to show you with actions, not just words, that they are accountable and ready to make amends,” Miranda says.

Tag: Staying Connected

7 Tips for Staying Connected to Loved Ones This Holiday Season