Creating your Christmas memories remotely.

Keep in touch with Online games and more, whether together or apart this Christmas

Its been a weird year. But we have heard enough about all that. Its Christmas and its time to have fun and make memories with families and friends. Sure, we are all tired of Zoom calls and WhatsApp conversations that lag and drop but we are more tired of spending time alone and not having any craic. Here are some ideas for getting together to play games, whether you are in the same house or not this Christmas.

The Irish Government restrictions mean that families must choose which of their two favourite related households they will spend Christmas leisure time with (or which of their least favourite if you factor in the dangers of sharing Covid-19). This means that we will not be making all those cheery house visits to eat other mince pies, play games chat and watch TV.  To make the best of it, here are some ideas for party nights apart/together thanks to the miracle of good broadband and modern technology.

Synchronise your Film Time Watch the same tv shows, blockbuster films and Christmas specials by synchronising your screen time and second screening the room on a tablet or laptop.  Sure, there will be snack-envy and some talking over each other, but that would likely happen if you were all in the same room, so nothing new there. If you can get over the fact that you don’t need to chat to each other all the time, you can enjoy Die Hard, with Granny and Grandad on screen and propped against the cushions beside you.

Virtual Murder Mystery Games are a great way of socialising with friends in other houses.  There are loads to choose from and while it does involve a purchase but if you are feeling inspired, you can actually plan it yourself.   Choose a good video chat host, like Zoom  and make sure that everyone has read the plot and their character before the start.    It’s a twist on the  Family Quiz Nights, that proved so popular in the first lockdowns of 2020, but with added spice.

Games to Play on your phone with Friends and Family.

Games like QuizUp and Mario Kart Tour are free child friendly games that can be used by all the family.   The phones are in the hands of the players remotely all logged into the same game.  Second screen (or are we on a third one now?) just to make it more interesting. For the adults and the older family and friends, Jack in the Box Party box allows players to play on their phones while watching the games on TV Screen and if your head does not explode from all that technology, it will explode with laughter at some very risqué and hilarious games to keep competition and laughter between the players.  These do come at a price at your App store but it’s a small outlay for an evening of laughter. These games can be rude and a bit bawdy, so some advisory is needed if your family don’t appreciate toilet humour.

Passing the time together virtually will never replace the face to face arguments over the last purple Quality Street and who buys the best commercial properties in Monopoly. But until we can ditch the masks and throw the doors open to welcome all and sundry, we must find more and more ways of connecting safely.  Its not just about a conversation… sure who has news anyway?… so get to grips with virtual connections. Plonk the Zoom call up beside the gravy boat at dinner time and continue the call right through Father Ted’s repeated Christmas special to a shared game of Charades by the fire. We are in this together and aren’t we lucky to have the technology to ease the pain of being apart. Hope your Christmas was peaceful and happy.  We wish you all good things, including vaccines and excellent web traffic for the coming year of 2021 from all of us here at Dmac Media.