Social distancing is the current way of life, as we continue to take precautions amid a global pandemic. Thankfully, the power of technology has given us ways a number of ways to interact in everyday social activities, including happy hours, dinners, dates, and more.
If you have yet to team up with friends or family for some digital bonding, we’ve put together a list of tips and alternatives for when you do. Tech is supposed to make things easier, but that’s not always the case, so the more you can curate your experience, the better. Read on below for some hacks on perfecting your next virtual hangout!
1) Warm Up With Ice Breakers
Digital sessions are only as good as you make them out to be. Ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard, and what better to start that dynamic off than by throwing out an ice breaker and making sure that all the participants get to sound off. Maybe a virtual tour of your room would be fun. Or how about everyone responds to a GIF with a one-liner? There’s always a good ol’ fashioned game of I Spy. Try the three mentioned below in your next chat!
2) Utilize Houseparty For a Game Night
The Houseparty app is meant for leisure, and its easy-to-use capabilities let you add up to seven people to your house. Plus, there’s a number of games like standard trivia, Heads Up and a Cards Against Humanity-esque knockoff to bring the funnies into the mix.
3) Keep Your Guest List Small
Just because you can have up to 100 people on one Zoom call doesn’t mean you actually should. Rounding up a smaller group of people to catch up with, will provide for a much smoother experience. With too many people in the ‘room’ every one may not get the change to talk. Send out invites with the meeting link to those attending beforehand, to keep the list in check. Zoom has this option set up through phone or email using your contacts.
4) Enjoy Happy Hour Over Zoom
Many have jumped on this bandwagon, but instead of using Zoom to conference call with your colleagues, the application (and its option to change backgrounds or your face via the Snap Camera app) can be the perfect place to see your friends on one screen, with a drink in-hand. In some more spontaneous settings, you can also find yourself chatting with new faces, too. Try your hand at making these fun and creative cocktails together as well.
5) Get Dolled Up
Seeing is believing and putting effort into your appearance — even if it is just from the waist up — is important. A part of what is making quarantine so difficult is the monotony of it all. Switch your routine up by getting dolled up to see your friends’ beautiful faces and there’s a good chance you’ll feel better about the virtual touch-base. Make it fun by picking a theme everyone can get into! Lost on what that can entail? This list can you scrounge up some ideas! 80’s glam anyone?
6) Opt For A Spotify-Themed Date
Digital dates can be romantic. If you’re into the idea of pouring yourself a beverage and getting to know someone on a quarantine date, putting together a playlist of songs could help. Press play and let the compilation provide some background music as you use the titles of the tracks to ask each other questions. These jams can get you off on the right foot.
7) Set A Time Limit
It’s understandable to feel a little nervous about setting up or participating in a virtual experience, but curating the event is certainly in your hands if you’re the host. Set aside a period of time for the digital hang, be prompt with your arrival, and schedule a limit for your suggested gathering to end, designate a person for this role if you need to. If conversation keeps on flowing after the designated end time, go with it.
