If you know a family member’s schedule, pick a day and time of the week that you’re both free and make an effort to talk on the phone at that time every week. If you’re overseas and worried about racking up long-distance charges calling your family, look into companies that offer cheap long-distance call credits without making you switch service providers. [2] X Research source
You can download Skype for free if you or your family doesn’t have it. If both you and one of your family members has an iPhone or Mac computer, you can use FaceTime to video chat with each other. [4] X Research source
If you’re traveling abroad or living in a new city, start a newsletter for your family. Include important news from your life in the newsletter and email it to your family members once a week. [5] X Research source
Download the Facebook app on your cell phone so you can get notifications anytime a member of your family messages you or comments on your profile. Change your Facebook settings so you get updates whenever members of your family make a post.
Create personalized “stories” on Snapchat that only your family members can see. Upload your photos and videos to your story instead of sending them to each member of your family individually. If you have a question or you need to tell a member of your family something, send a video over Snapchat instead of texting them. A video with your face and voice will be more personal than a typed-out message.
Make up a hashtag for your family to use on Instagram. When you upload a photo or video you want your family to see, use the hashtag in the description.
In your letter, ask your family member questions and encourage them to write back. Developing a handwritten correspondence with someone is a great way to bond, and taking the time to write out a letter each week shows that you care.
Make a holiday card where the front is a photo of you with your spouse, kids, pets, etc. You can hire a professional photographer and use fun props to capture a memorable photo to use. Make your holiday card a tradition and send one out every year.
Include a traveling scrapbook in the package you send. Put some photos of your life in it and leave the rest of the pages blank. Have your family member add their own photos to the scrapbook and then pass it on to the next family member. Once it’s full, you’ll have a family scrapbook to look through when you’re missing home.
Try to alternate where the dinner is hosted each week so no one family member feels overburdened. If you do meet for dinner at the same family member’s house every week, try a potluck-style get together. One person can make the main course, another can do snacks, and someone else can make dessert.
If you have a large family, organize a reunion planning committee made up of three or four of your family members. You’ll have fun organizing it with them, and it will encourage you to keep in touch.
If your family member is busy and doesn’t have time to leave work, offer to pick up some food and eat with them at their office. If neither of you can do lunch, see if you have time to meet for drinks or an appetizer right after work.
