Technology Etiquette for the Holiday Season
Technology Etiquette for the Holiday Season
In the manners courses that I teach we focus on how to preserve our manners and exude charm in a fast-paced and technology driven world.
I felt it important to share some best practices for holiday technology etiquette. We think of the holidays as traditional and cozy, but we know the reality is that the holiday season can be the most frenzied of the year.
To keep the chaos at bay and recenter ourselves around the real focus of the holidays - connecting with each other - I'm sharing some ideas on how to use (or limit!) technology most effectively for every part of the season.
I'm starting with the parties! As a certified sustainable party planner, I'm constantly prepping gatherings with a mind to festivity, efficiency and also delight. Often delight comes from disconnecting from the busyness.
Invitations
The ubiquitous electronic invitation is both affordable and efficient for party hosts. It's important to add an extra bit of attention to an evite for a holiday party. I recommend ensuring that guests' names are spelled out with proper grammar in the guest list, if sharing.
I recommend sharing a guest list for every event because it allows for guests to coordinate transportation, gift giving, etc. AND it alleviates hurt feelings so that guests know who's invited and who isn't.
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Life of the Party
Be careful when sharing party photos and videos from holiday gatherings. It's best to ask permission to post other's photos - tagged or not - on social media. The holidays are an especially busy time with many invitations accepted and declined. You wouldn't want to be the reason for someone's discomfort or hurt feelings when a post reveals their whereabouts.
Gift Giving
Technology ranks as one of the top gift giving categories as early adopters and enthusiastic gift givers delight over the next best thing. Remember to evaluate a gift's value in terms of intangible effects - attention building/depleting, fostering relationships, health, etc.
If a wish list item falls short of any of these criteria, re-think the purchase and opt for a gift that does.
E-Cards
The use of electronic holiday greeting cards is an affordable solution for personal and business use. If you opt to send a digital holiday greeting from one of the popular e-cards sites out there such as Blue Mountain, Hallmark, the hilarious and potentially offensive Someecards or my favorite Jib Jab, ensure that the greeting is appropriate for the audience.
Technology Usage
More than any other time during the year, aim to limit technology use - even refuse to use - when you're in the presence of another person.
Consider Adopting My Top 5 Rules
- No devices when dining - no matter the meal
- No devices with sitting with someone you know at a desk, conference table, in a waiting room, etc.
- No devices in bed - next to the bed is fine for alarms, emergencies, etc.
- Refrain from checking a device first thing in the morning. Instead, give thanks, read a few pages in a book, meditate, stretch...then check your messages.
- Limit game play to a healthy threshold depending on age, but set a timer for children's device usage, if nothing else.
Holiday Challenge
If you're the boss of your organization, I recommend giving the gift of unplugging this holiday. Whether team communication, social media strategy or sales outreach, press pause this holiday and invite your team to do the same.
Instead of time spend on a device, invite team members to envision three dreams - big and small - for their job, the company or even a dream for the break room. Gather the team to share their dreams in the new year and select a handful, but a vote of hands to pursue.
Turn the challenge into a way to connect and support the dreams of the team.
Let's Be Social
Thanks so much for sharing your social media love! Follow me on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Tag #satsumasmiles to share your creativity and I'll share back.
Photos courtesy of Unsplash
HELLO THERE!
Today is a gift. Let's put a bow on it!
Find creative and sustainable ways to make family life a delight! Sharing modern etiquette that kids will enjoy.
💕 jennifer
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