Fun Gifts to Connect with Family this Year

Cuddly Pillows

Help your loved ones decorate by displaying their favorite family members and friends–you! The Photo Pillows from Minted are made of cotton and come in a variety of gorgeous patterns to fit anyone’s taste. Choose from florals, stripes, blocks, plaid, hearts and more. Personalize with photos, names and initials. Starts at $44 at minted.com.

Virtual Play Date

Video chat with grandparents or friends through Caribu’s website or app to interact by reading, drawing or playing games. Play “Memory,” color, do word searches, read stories about favorite characters, like DC superheroes and Thomas the Train, and more. First 15 activities are available for free, or you get a subscription for $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year at caribu.com. The first 50 families to redeem the code PARENT will receive a month of Caribu Unlimited for free.

Love Notes

Send notes to someone special with the Lovebox Spinning Heart Messenger from Uncommon Goods. Created by Marie Poulle and Jean Gregoire, this bamboo box features a pretty red heart that spins when you’ve received a new message. Send a message through the app, and you can display emojis with the Black & White Lovebox and photos with Color Pix. Spin the heart to send digital hearts to the sender’s screen. Available at uncommongoods.com for $100-$120.

Walk with Me

Be with your loved ones every step of the way with customizable socks from DivvyUp. Print your face, a loved one’s face or a pet’s face on these adorable socks. Christmas patterns include Santa hats and presents, snowflakes and red and green candy canes, and you can choose the color of the socks. For every pair purchased, one pair is donated to a local homeless shelter. Print 1-3 faces on the socks. Available in youth, small and large starting at $24 at divvyupsocks.com.

Synchronized Shows

Watch your favorite Christmas movies together, no matter how far apart you are. Host long distance movie nights with Teleparty, formerly Netflix Party, to watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and HBO. The movies will automatically stay in sync, and you’ll have a messaging chat board where you can share your thoughts as you follow along. The extension is free to install at netflixparty.com; streaming subscription services vary.