on December 2, 2025
We live in a plugged in, online world. In fact, it’s hard to escape it. Most of us spend our workdays online, watch screens for entertainment, scroll through social media, and look up any information we need online. Many people even have online avatars or personas, make it easy to slip into an alternate reality. While I’m certainly not against technology, I do think it’s important to experience real-world human connection–the kind of connection that can’t be found behind a screen.
Why Connect?
What if we chose to unplug for a little while over the holiday season? What if we intentionally logged off and attempted to gain back some of the in-person connections we so often miss? Taking the time and effort to do this might be more important than many of us realize. Numerous studies point to the necessity of meaningful human connections, including the Harvard Study of Adult Development which followed thousands of people over several decades. This study found that the “people who were more connected to others stayed healthier and were happier throughout their lives,” regardless of other factors (like blood pressure or cholesterol levels). In other words, connections are vitally important.
How to Connect?
This season, I challenge you to be more present and make a conscious effort to connect with others offline. To do this, here are a few ideas:
Arrange a Game Night
Whether with your family or close friends, putting together a game night is a fun and engaging way to spend time in an offline space. Today, there is such a HUGE variety of games to choose from (from complex strategic games to lighthearted card games), so it’s easy to pick one that will please whichever crowd you’re with.
Bond Over Food
Do you have a family recipe that you’d like to teach your children or spouse? Or maybe you have a favorite dish you’d like to share with friends? Or, perhaps, you simply want to try a new restaurant in town. Whatever the case, food is a classic way to connect with others offline. Growing up in Monroe, Wisconsin, one of the traditional desserts from my childhood was a Hungarian cake called Dobosh torte (AKA Dobos torte). It’s a layered sponge cake with chocolate buttercream between each layer, topped with caramel. This cake never fails to evoke memories, which is a testament to the nostalgic power of food!
Get Outside
Another classic way to form holiday memories and reconnect with those around you is to engage in outdoor activities. Go sledding with your kids, go skiing or snowshoeing with your significant other, or take a nighttime stroll to see some Christmas lights.
Volunteer
Add some meaning to your holidays by helping make others’ lives a little brighter. Volunteering in the community is a powerful way to not only give back, but also gain a new perspective. You could sign up to volunteer alongside your children, spouse, or friends, or you could choose to do it solo. Opportunities are practically limitless, so it should be easy to find an event or organization that matches your skills, values, and schedule.
Learn Something New
What have you always wanted to learn how to do? Maybe you’re interested in making croissants, or knitting, or learning how to carve a wooden bowl on a lathe. Maybe you’re interested in learning a new language or making your own cheese. It’s possible to find all types of classes and courses, even if you don’t live in a big city. Find out what is being offered in your area and see if anything piques your interest. Your new hobby could lead to even more quality time offline!
As the holidays approach, I hope you will take the time to intentionally seek meaningful offline interactions. These are the types of connections that are becoming increasingly rare, and I would argue we need them more than ever.