Feeling Lonely? Try These Tips to Stay Connected at Christmas

Christmas can feel like a lonely time of year, especially if your loved ones live far away and you can’t travel to see them. If the festive season brings on the feeling of loneliness for you pretty hard, then how about trying some new ways to stay connected this Christmas? Read on for our top ten ways to keep in touch with friends and family when you can’t physically see them.

1. Create a Christmas Playlist

If you or people you know are working right up until the 25^th, you may not have time to arrange something for when you're all free. But creating a playlist of their favourite Christmas songs (or just their favourite songs!) can let them know you’re thinking of them and can provide a cheering soundtrack to their working day (and yours!). We hear Mariah Carey and Michael Buble are out of hibernation and raring to go!

female listening to music on her phone through headphones

2. Get Creative with Handmade Cards

If you’re spending a lot of time at home, why not put it to good use with some scissors, glue and decorations by making your own Christmas cards? They will have a more personal touch and the person receiving them will think a lot of it.

3. See Each Other on Video Chat

While it’s a lot less hassle to chat on the phone, 93% of our communication is non-verbal. So being able to see the facial expressions of the people we’re talking to can make all the difference if you can’t meet up in person.

Female video chatting with someone in a reindeer headband

4. Send Regular Text Updates

Texting a few of your nearest and dearest first thing in the morning and the last thing at night can make all the difference to your mood and make you feel less alone when you’re dropping off to sleep or just waking up.

5. Host a Virtual Festive Bake-a-Long

This might take some planning, but once you have the logistics in place, why not invite some of your closest friends and family to virtually join you in making a Christmas cake? (You can even sip eggnog as you go along!)

6. Check in on Your Neighbours

While you might be frustrated at not being able to see your family this year, someone living nearby might be in the same situation as you. A Christmas card or a quick note under the door offering a socially distanced drink might make their December (and yours).

7. Arrange a Virtual Secret Santa …

Was the office party cancelled? Show your colleagues that you care by arranging a Secret Santa by post! After all it’s always nice to get parcels!

8 … and Have a Work Christmas Quiz

You might be sick and tired of quizzes by now, but giving it a festive theme (with Christmas hats and jumpers) can take things up a few notches and allow you to celebrate the end of the year with your colleagues if you can’t make it to the pub.

9. Have a Remote Movie Marathon

If your family tradition is to watch the same film every year, there’s no reason to forgo it just because you can’t be together in person. Apps like Netflix Teleparty allow you to tune in together and even add running commentary in the chat box!

2 females sat on the sofa watching a film

10. Book in 1-on-1 Time with Friends & Family

While group zoom calls can be fun, it’s also important to catch up with people individually so you can properly check-in and see how they’re doing. They might also be feeling a little bit lonely over the holidays (but not necessarily want to admit this in-front of everyone else!).