There’s no substitute for face-to-face interaction. But if you can’t see your loved ones in person, you can still spend time with them using these methods. Don’t have the funds to fly across the country to see your grandparents? Missing your college buddies that you haven’t seen in a while? Tired of social distancing from family and friends? There’s no substitute for human contact and personal interaction. But when you can’t be with the ones you love, there are some ways to spend time with loved ones.

So get out your phone, tablet, or laptop. Charge your battery, schedule a time to get together, and get comfortable. Here are some fun ways to connect with loved ones long distance, whether there’s a pandemic going on or not.

Video Chat

Something as simple as a quick video chat can really bring you and a loved one together. It doesn’t have to be long — five or ten minutes is all it takes to have a face-to-face conversation with someone you’re missing.

FaceTime is probably the easiest video chat app to use, but you’ll both need Apple iOS devices to use it.

If one of you has an iPhone and the other has an Android device, Facebook Messenger and Google Duo are good alternatives. As long as you both download the app to your devices, you can connect with anyone in a matter of seconds.

Video Conference

If a one-on-one conversation over video chat just won’t cut it, you can schedule a video conference with a dozen or more friends. A virtual get together is a great way to feel close to loved ones, even if you’re miles away.

Video conferencing apps, such as Zoom and Skype, allow you to share screens with 49 other people at a time. You can have an entire family reunion on a Skype call or get all of your closest (and not so close) friends on Zoom at the same time.

If you’re the social coordinator of your group, take the lead, schedule the meeting, and send invitations to everyone that you want to join.

Just be sure to block out a decent amount of time. When you get that many people together, you can expect that everyone is going to want to chime in and say something! The more people on the call, the more time you should expect it to take.  

Not a fan of Skype or Zoom? Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, and Google Hangout are some other good options to try.

Throw a Netflix Party

Looking for a way to connect that’s a bit more unique than just having a video chat? If you or your loved ones are movie fans, throw a Netflix Party!

Netflix party is the best way to watch shows and movies with your friends online. Just decide what you’re going to watch, log on at the same time, and Netflix will automatically sync video playback for everyone in your party.

Netflix Party also includes a fun chat feature. It allows you to text and chat with your friends in real time while you watch a movie or show. It’s the next best thing to sitting on the couch together, chiming in with commentary on every scene.

To throw a Netflix party, just find the show or movie you want to watch, click on the NP icon, and share the party URL with friends. To join the party, all they have to do is click on the invite.

Get Together for a Virtual Game Night

You don’t need a fancy gaming headset or a PS4 to play games with people online. There are tons of online games (including some of the classics) that you can play with friends.

Clue, Boggle, Monopoly, Scrabble, and dozens of other games have online versions — perfect for a virtual game night.

Schedule a time with your loved ones, “meet” them in the game, and get the competition started. It’s a great way to pass the time, especially if you’re missing that weekly game night at your buddy’s house.

Virtual game nights are perfect for people of all ages. So go ahead and invite your fraternity brothers from college or play against your grandparents a few states away. When it comes to virtual gaming, usually everyone is game!

Host a Virtual Brunch, Happy Hour, or Dinner Party

Wish you could get together with your friends for happy hour? Missing those family dinners with your folks? Sad that you can’t be with your niece to celebrate her eighth birthday?

Instead of having a random video chat or video conference, schedule a virtual theme party instead. Even though it’s virtual it doesn’t mean that you can’t rock your Harry Potter outfit or your authentic medieval costume. You can have everyone in the party dress up and be as silly or serious as they want. Also, don’t forget to prepare exciting virtual games!

Just because you can’t be in the same room doesn’t mean you can’t feel like you’re at the same event.

Here are some tips for how to plan the perfect long-distance party:

Schedule ways to spend time with loved ones ahead of time. Send evites just as you would for any in-person happy hour, brunch, or dinner party.

Create a menu so that you can all cook the same thing or make the same drinks. In the mood for an Italian feast? Share your favorite pasta recipes beforehand and show them to each other online so you can all get a glimpse of what everyone else’s dishes look like.

Are you the type of party planner who prefers to have your celebrations catered? Tell everyone to order a dish from their favorite sushi restaurant before the party starts. 

That way, when you’re all online together, you can all munch on edamame and spicy tuna rolls at the same time. (Bonus: you won’t have to worry about anyone stealing a piece of your sashimi!)

Missing your favorite bars, clubs, and lounges? Host a virtual happy hour, toss back a few cocktails, and turn it into a dance party. Everyone can take turns DJing and cueing up their favorite tunes.

Just remember, video conferences and online parties can be recorded, so your funniest dance moves could go viral if you’re not careful!

Conclusion

Sometimes, just picking up the phone is all it takes as one of the ways to spend time with loved ones. But with all the technology we have today, we prefer going one step further and having those face-to-face interactions instead!

Author Bio:
Aaron Hunt is the property manager for Prime Place KSU .