As expatriates its part of life being away from family. With Christmas coming around fast, naturally we think of sharing time with family and friends. Communicating long distance can be easy. Here's five easy, creative ways you can connect, communicate and share this special time even from far away.
- Skype is a free internet service that allows you to chat via your computer, and use a webcam to see each other. You will need a PC, webcam and microphone. For relatives who are not keen on using a PC you can even get a video phone so they can call you without a complicated set up. All you need is an internet connection, and then calls are free. How much is it worth for grandparents to be able to see their grandchildren open their presents on Christmas day. Or younger children to be able to see their grandparents on a regular basis to maintain that close contact.
- Create a photo calendar of your year, get it professionally printed and have it delivered to parents and grandparents. A great Christmas present and way to share your experiences with them all year long. Vistaprint.com and Kodak.com both offer great services and deliver straight to whomever you are sending it to. You can customize the look and add special dates to make it really special.
- Write a summary of your year, with text and pictures. You could create an electronic version or make a personal hand made scrap book style sheet. Send or email to your friends and family to keep them up to date on what has happened to you in the last year.
- Use Twitter to send quick message updates of what you are up to on a daily basis. The best thing about this is its very quick and you can do as many or as few as you like. You can set it up to send to a mobile phone so family members will know what you are doing, as it happens. Creates a sense of connection and immediacy. Regular contact makes it feel like you are never far away.
- Trying to remember who you have sent photos to or sent emails about the latest news can be hard to remember if you have lots of friends to keep in touch with. Use Facebook to publish photos, and save sending individual emails to everyone. You can see what they have been doing too. Maintaining contact faraway friends and relatives is important in helping you feel connected and at home wherever you are.
And now I would like to offer you free instant access to my Setting Emigration Goals Article when you go to http://www.theexpatcoach.com/coaching_tools_20081126.html - you will also find a free planning and prioritizing tool The Emigration Wheel as well.
From Louise Green - The Expat Coach
