K is for Keeping in Touch #AtoZChallenge

Posted April 13, 2020 in A-Z Challenge / 4 Comments

The Blogging from A-Z Challenge continues today. Every day throughout April (except Sundays) I’ll be posting a range of ideas and tips for keeping your family entertained at home. It will include arts and crafts, games, learning ideas and imaginative activities for all ages. I thought it would be particularly useful while we’re all self-isolating or socially distancing, though it can be used for any time of year.

Letter “K” is for Keeping in Touch. Most of us are going to be missing quality time with our friends and relatives while on lockdown or socially distancing. During this time of uncertainty, social interaction and bonding is vitally important for our mental wellbeing.

Luckily, thanks to modern technology, long distance communication has never been easier. Here is a list of all the different ways you can stay in touch with your loved ones.

  • Phone them for a chat.
  • Send a text message to show you’re thinking of them.
  • Create Facebook or WhatsApp groups for your different social circles.
  • Schedule a regular video call. Check out this list of the best free video call apps. I tend to use FB Messenger for friends and family and MS Teams for meetings with colleagues.
  • Now is the time to dig out that fancy letter writing set that has been sitting a drawer for years and get writing! Or you could send a fun postcard.
  • Send an email or e-card.
  • Play a game together via an app like Houseparty or join in with an online quiz like Virtual Pub Quiz (Thursdays, 8 pm GMT). More about quizzes later in the month!
  • Feeling creative? Decorate a card and post it to them.
  • Support a local business by ordering a little gift to be delivered as a surprise.
  • Create a playlist of songs that remind you of your loved one and send them the link. Or go oldschool and burn a CD to post to them.
  • Record a funny video or voice message to send to them.
  • Tag them in silly social media games and memes.
  • Make a photobook of your most recent pictures and send it to them. Snapfish have up to 60% off up until 27th April.
  • Agree to watch a film at the same time and send messengers to each other as you watch.
  • Don’t forget their birthday! You can use a service like Moonpig or Funky Pigeon to send a personalised card.
  • For neighbours and friends that live nearby, you can display signs and posters in your window to cheer them up or shine a light when you’re thinking of them.
  • Host a digital dinner party. Agree on a menu which you all cook seperately then use a video call app to dine together.
  • If you have a fun hobby or belong to a social group, consider taking it online. You could start a blog to teach people a skill and share your creations or have a go at making live dance or craft tutorials for YouTube. Try JamKazam for virtual music rehearsals or Goodreads for book clubs.
  • Call your local radio station and ask them to do a shout out or place a “thinking of you” message in the local paper.
Image description: a beautiful, old-fashioned hand written letter with interesting stamps and three pink flowers. Image from Pixabay.

Over to you!

How are you keeping in touch with your friends, family and colleagues? Let me know in the comments.

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4 responses to “K is for Keeping in Touch #AtoZChallenge

    • Yeah, I was trying to think of something a little different. I’m video calling more than ever now. I never bothered to do it before.

    • It’s good to do that every so often. I am very introverted so I can go ages without speaking to anyone if necessary. I’m mainly calling family who might be lonely on their own.

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