For many people, the Christmas season is all about exchanging gifts and being with those we care about the most. While this is well and good, the past two years have forced many of us to be apart for far longer than we would have liked.

If the past two years have shown us anything it is that communication and checking in with others is important. It helps us all with our mental health, lets others know you are thinking of them and ensures that your friends and family are still happy and safe. If they are not, then you have the opportunity to help them.

To make sure this occurs it’s important to remember to check in with your friends and family. Life can get in the way sometimes, but the holiday period gives us time to reflect and get in touch with those we have lost contact with over the past two years and even those we have not been in touch with for longer.

The Christmas season is the best excuse for you to give someone a call, catch up on old conversations and stories, or just tell them how important and grateful you are for their existence.

Getting in touch with your friends and family year-round is important, however, it is even more important during Christmas because it's the time of the year where family and friendship are at the forefront.

Here are some simple ways that you can show your loved ones that you are thinking of them during the Christmas season:

1. Send Them a Card

Try sending them a real card, not a virtual card. Although it's a lot easier and convenient to send a card online, a traditional one still takes a lot of thought and effort. Besides, it's also something that they can add to their Christmas decorations and they can easily remember how much you care for them every time they look at it.

2. Make a House Call

If you have family or colleagues who you know live at home alone, perhaps make some plans to call to their home over the holiday period, restrictions permitting. Perhaps let them know in advance that you plan to call on a particular day, or simply surprise them if you feel it is something they would like.

If you cannot make it to their home, perhaps you can offer to help with their shopping, bring them on a small trip or cook some Christmas dinner.

Being alone over Christmas can be hard for many who are used to a routine in work where they see their friends and colleagues often. A little effort on your part can make a world of difference to someone else.

3. Call them During their Free Time

Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and make a call.  We all tend to get busy during December and can often put off getting in touch with people.  That call could make the difference to a person who may be feeling a bit low, isolated, or just scared.  The pandemic is affecting our mental wellbeing and it is important to stay in touch!

4. Use all the new communication methods

From Zoom to Skype, Facetime and many other methods we can now put a face to the person we are calling over the festive period. We have all become accustomed to using this technology during the pandemic, so if you are far away, get online and call the person you have been thinking about.

The importance of communication

Just like in the workplace, clear communication is key to a happy workforce and happy friends and family. Sometimes people are too proud or stubborn to ask for help or pick up the phone. By you making the first move you may just be in a position to help a friend or family member out.

If they are in a happy place then all the better, you can simply have a friendly chat and catch up on how life is going.

Communication, even brief, can do a world of good for those you may have lost touch with. Use the festive period and the cheer and celebration it brings to call someone you have been meaning to.

Empower your employees

Let your employees know you are thinking of them also. A work email or memo with a personalised note can make a world of difference for staff who are under pressure, remind them what the holidays are for, time with friends and family and relax from work.

Final Words

The Christmas season is indeed very festive. Sometimes, a lot of us are so caught up with the preparation and life that we forget what it's all about, which is sharing joy and love.

This is why it is even more important to make sure that you reach out and check in with your loved ones during Christmas. Your effort does not need to be grand. Just make simple gestures to remind them that you care about them.