Thanksgiving is a time for family, laughter, and traditions, but when family members are spread across cities, states, or even continents, staying connected can be challenging. With a bit of help from the internet, however, you can still make the holiday memorable. Here are three creative ways for connecting with family on Thanksgiving using the internet so you can all feel close, no matter the distance.
3 Fun Ways for Connecting with Family on Thanksgiving
1. Host a Virtual Thanksgiving Dinner
You don’t need to be in the same room to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together! Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving dinner is easier than ever with video-calling platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime. Here’s how to make it special:
Set Up Your Space: Arrange your dining area with festive decorations and encourage family members to do the same. It might sound simple, but decorating your surroundings with holiday decor can make everyone feel like they’re sharing the same celebration space.
Synchronize Mealtimes: Even if you’re in different time zones, coordinating your mealtimes will allow everyone to sit down to eat together. If someone in your family can’t make it to dinner, invite them to dessert instead.
Plan Activities: Keep the experience lively by planning virtual activities that everyone can participate in, such as:
- Recipe Swap: Ask each family member to share their favorite Thanksgiving recipe beforehand. Trying out each other’s dishes during the meal can be a fun bonding experience and may even bring some surprising new flavors to the table!
- Virtual Toast: Start the meal with a Thanksgiving toast where everyone takes turns sharing something they’re grateful for.
- Post-Dinner Games: Try interactive games like online trivia or a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt, in which family members find things around the house and bring them to the camera.
With high-quality video calling, you can see every smile, hear every laugh, and truly feel like you’re enjoying the holiday together. Having reliable internet is key here, so you won’t miss a single heartwarming moment.
2. Create a Collaborative Family Thanksgiving Album
Photos are a wonderful way to preserve memories, and creating a collaborative family album is a fun activity that keeps everyone involved. Online photo-sharing tools like Google Photos, Shutterfly, or Dropbox allow family members to contribute pictures to a shared album. Not only will it make connecting with family on Thanksgiving easier, but will be there to relive your holiday memories all year long. Here’s how to make it fun:
Capture Moments Throughout the Day: Everyone can snap photos of their holiday preparations, the beautifully set table, family members cooking, and even the aftermath of a good meal. Ask each family member to upload their favorite shots to the album so you all get a peek into each other’s celebrations.
Add Captions and Comments: Encourage family members to add captions or comments to each other’s photos. It can be hilarious to see a photo of your uncle’s cooking disaster or a sweet picture of the little ones helping out in the kitchen. This interaction brings personality to the album and lets everyone join in on the fun.
Make a Tradition of It: Adding photos to the album each year builds a Thanksgiving archive that future generations can look back on. There’s something magical about seeing the holiday evolve over time while the core family traditions remain the same.
This album can be viewed and shared from anywhere, making it a lovely keepsake that all family members can enjoy whenever they’re missing home.
3. Stream a Family Movie Together
After the turkey is eaten and everyone’s had their fill of pie, a movie night can be a perfect way to wind down and relax. Thanks to online streaming and watch-party platforms, you can even enjoy the same film at the same time, regardless of location. Here’s how to make it a Thanksgiving tradition:
Choose a Family Favorite: Pick a movie that everyone loves and is excited to watch. You could go with a classic family film, a Thanksgiving-themed movie, or something light and funny to add to the holiday cheer.
Use Watch Party Platforms: Platforms like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party), Disney+ GroupWatch, or Amazon Prime Video Watch Party allow everyone to watch the movie in sync. They also have a chat feature, so family members can comment and react in real time. For those who love discussing scenes or laughing together, it’s a fantastic way to keep the social aspect of movie night alive.
Prepare Movie Snacks: Suggest everyone prepare the same movie snacks—popcorn, hot cocoa, or a slice of leftover pie—to enjoy during the film. This small detail adds a shared experience, making it feel like you’re all in the same cozy room together.
Streaming a movie is a wonderful way to wind down after the day’s activities, and when everyone’s internet connection is stable and reliable, the film can play without interruptions, bringing the family closer together.
Choose Hunter Communications for a Reliable Connection All Year Long
Whether you’re coming together for a virtual Thanksgiving dinner, sharing photos, or streaming a movie, a strong, reliable internet connection is essential to make your family gathering feel seamless and enjoyable. Hunter Communications offers fast, dependable fiber internet that will keep you connected to family and friends around the world, no matter the occasion. Our high-speed, fiber-optic internet ensures that every call, stream, and upload goes smoothly so you can focus on what matters most—making memories with loved ones.
Do you want to be well-prepared for connecting with family on Thanksgiving using reliable, fast internet? Let’s get you set up now!