How to Have a Virtual Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving this year will be very different for many of us. While you can still argue with relatives about your values, you can also manage those conversations over dinner in an awkward virtual space by asking the questions “are you off” and “how do I turn on the camera?” Fortunately, there are things you can do ahead of time to make your video chatting easier. Here are some ways to make virtual Thanksgiving easier.
Appoint a host
We all have a friend or family member who has an itinerary and activities planned. Event scheduling website Eventbrite says that this person will multitask, he is a great listener who knows what everyone likes and needs, and loves lists. If the person hasn’t already contacted and started making plans, talk to them about hosting your virtual meeting.
The host you designate must know all the intricacies of the video chat platforms used and have access to a reliable internet connection. Zoom suggests using an internet connection instead of relying on Wi-Fi if possible: “This will help you avoid any unstable Wi-Fi connection issues that could affect audio quality and the overall experience of attendees.”
Send lessons on the video platform in advance
Holidays are meant to be a quality time with friends and family, so you don’t want to spend most of your time troubleshooting video chat settings. Entrepreneurs at CIC say they need to send in all event information, such as links and passwords, in advance and schedule a time to test the technology ahead of time. I would go ahead and post instructions for audio and video settings, with links to some tutorial videos for family members who might not be that tech-savvy. It’s even better if you’re using a platform that your family is already familiar with.
Make a route
Your loved ones may think this is a little overkill, but having scheduled activities can help you avoid awkward silences and limit those overly talkative moments when conversations can go off the rails. Forbes’ article author Ali Valanski suggests “create touchpoints and schedule them” and should specify when to log in and when dinner will be served.
Remember to be flexible. “The reality of any virtual gathering is that everyone will juggle what is happening in person at home,” says Walanski. Schedule and allow time for unexpected breaks or changes in participants.
Consider setting up a group lesson
Since Thanksgiving focuses on food, consider scheduling a group meal for interested family members. You can exchange recipes and send links to what you will cook, or use the same delivered meal kits that have become popular, but also a lifesaver for key workers and large families at home during the pandemic. It’s easy for those who can’t get to the grocery store, and you can safely stay at home as ingredients are delivered in boxes. The best part is that the dishes are easy to prepare and are measured ahead of time, so even the worst chef can cook them right.
When it’s time to sit down and eat, instead of staring at a tablet or small computer screen on your desk, consider connecting your device to your TV . Choose a suitable view on your video platform so that everyone is visible and enjoy watching on the big screen.
Plan games for remote play
Online games and entertainment like Jackbox or Cards Against Humanity are great for friendsgiving, but you can do as simple, classic icebreaker games as you would prefer a truth or a lie . These are multi-generational games that are easy to play and don’t require more than what a simple video chat offers.
Reach out to those who are not in the chat
In a festive spirit of togetherness, schedule email greetings to friends and family that won’t be in video chat. You can send your own recorded video message on a stylish digital card, perfect for sending to those unable to call. Get everyone involved by signing up for a group video chat platform.