<div style=”transition: none 0s ease 0s; display: block; direction: ltr; text-align: left;” data-rss-type=”text”> n <div> n n What a year 2020 has been. I mean SERIOUSLY! It has been a YEAR! Now that we are entering this beloved holiday season, it feels so unfair not to be able to gather with friends and family as we have in years past. The holidays are such a special time for so many of us and I don’t know about you but I feel like I am missing out a little bit by not being able to keep up my Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions this year. And I know sitting this one out means we can have many more for years to come, but that doesn’t make this year feel any less isolating. n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n n Luckily there are so many ways to stay connected with our loved ones this holiday season. Here are 5 things you can do to keep that bond as close as ever:n n </div> n <div style=””> n <b style=”background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);”> n <br/> n </b> n </div> n <div style=””> n <b style=”background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);”> n n 1. If you are thinking about someone, tell them! n n </b> n </div> n <div style=””> n <span style=”background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);”> n n I can’t tell you how special it makes me feel when someone I love texts, calls, or emails to tell me something happened that reminded them of me. Letting someone know you are thinking of them can make a big difference; for them and you!n n </span> n </div> n <blockquote style=”margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;”> n <div> n <span style=”background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);”> n n n n </span> n </div> n </blockquote> n <div> n </div> n <div style=””> n <b> n n 2. Send a letter. n n </b> n </div> n <div style=””> n </div> n <div> n n Remember checking the mail as a kid? And the feeling you got when something came for you? Sending a letter to a loved one will be way more exciting for them than all of those amazon packages they’ve ordered!n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n </div> n <div style=””> n <b> n n 3. Start a virtual book club. n n </b> n </div> n <div style=””> n </div> n <div> n n Pick an awesome book to read at the same time and then have check-ins to discuss what you’ve been reading! n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n <b> n </b> n </div> n <span style=”font-weight: 500;”> n <div> n <b> n n 4. Use technology. n n </b> n </div> n <div> n </div> n </span> n <div> n n While technology has its drawbacks, there are so many ways to connect with people using things like Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype! Get some friends together for a virtual happy hour or game night to spend some time connecting with each other. n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n </div> n <div style=””> n <b> n n 5. Begin a recipe exchange. n n </b> n </div> n <div style=””> n </div> n <div> n n Using email or a shared drive, start a recipe exchange for all of those Holiday recipes you aren’t able to eat together this year! And be sure to share pictures and reviews of the recipes you make. n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n n Things might look a little different this year, but don’t let that stop you from connecting with the people you love! n n </div> n</div>