You know the scenario. We’ve all had up to a half decade of the modern social media Christmas now.
Kids open gifts, while adults record it on their phones. When the frenzy wanes, those adults scroll aimlessly through a bunch of holiday chafe on Facebook or Instagram. The posts in their social streams look just like theirs: too many photos, too many blurry photos, too many photos that didn’t warrant meaningful captions. Oh, and a stack of empty status updates.
Rather than blame social media for invading the holidays again this year, harness it for wonderful Christmas memories.
Avoid generic participation.
Your social media connections are looking for something interesting and different—and something exclusively you. Don’t be the person who posts only the “Merry Christmas, everybody!” status update or who shares that clichéd meme your aunt posted. (No, that doesn’t count as your online Christmas card.)
If recent and significant life events have changed Christmas for you, let that filter guide your words and media. If you’re going to post a picture of your Christmas tree, tell us what’s special about its decorations this year. Share the significance behind your photos. Explain why a particular artist’s version of a Christmas song transports your imagination or memory. Pull back the curtain on your traditions and their origin.
Maximize the moment.
You only get one December this year, one chance to make Christmas memories. So, sink into it. Be present. Absorb as much as you can. When the buzz quiets and the energy level wanes, look up. Survey your surroundings for moments that are happening or situations pregnant with potential. If you’re tempted to avoid boredom by escaping online, start a new conversation; or suggest a new location or activity. Be intentional to interact with the family and friends in the room more than the audience online.
Choose a designated documenter.
To allow as many people as possible to focus on the present, choose one or two loved ones to capture the photos and video. It’s okay to take turns. If you’d like additional, alternate angles, use tools like tripods, Gorillapods, or time-lapse devices for unattended capture. Or let the dog, a remote control car, or a wobbly toddler wear a GoPro. (Make sure everyone knows to record any video clips only in landscape mode.)
Put someone in charge of gathering all the media from everyone. With Bluetooth, WiFi, and external drives, this is easier than ever. Then the aggregator can send the Dropbox link to everyone else. Decide Facebook responsibilities in advance. Is everyone going to post their own photos, or is someone going to post one album and tag everyone in it? Make sure the unedited originals are saved somewhere, so that friends and family can crop, filter, and Photoshop to their liking.
Compile and edit the memories.
Nobody wants to see all 176 photos your mom took while the grandkids opened presents or made cookies. Even other grandmas. Do document everything. Just don’t share everything. Comb through the captured media to find the true highlights, the most memorable moments. Make sure to write down those funny quotes and catchphrases you might forget later.
Then, have one or two volunteers work on a physical or digital keepsake. Maybe it’s a photo album or scrap book. Maybe it’s a slideshow or video. Services like DreamItReel and Xcut will do all the video-editing work for you, if you don’t have time or talent for such editing. Just about anything you create can be turned into a social media post—even if it has to wait for a #throwbackthursday.
Don’t compete.
You’re not going to win Instagram on Christmas. Believe it or not, but the holidays weren’t intended as fodder for your Facebook profile. If you focus on comparison, you can’t enjoy contentment. The rest of us can tell when insecurity drives your posts. That doesn’t mean you skip sorting, cropping, or editing your digital media. Do find creative ways to capture your unique experience. Make it your own. Just don’t measure your memories by how many likes or comments they garner. If that pull to check your notifications is too strong, make this Christmas a detox holiday. Use this the occasion to celebrate others.
Maybe that’s the point of Christmas and social media anyway?
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Stock images purchased from iStockPhoto.com
