Our society is more mobile than it’s ever been, and moving far from our hometowns to follow a job or spouse is not uncommon. We don’t want to lose touch with our loved ones “back home,” but with airline fares continuing to rise, frequent visits may not be an option. So how do we stay in touch?

Staying close to aging relatives (and childhood friends) is important – and easier than you think! Here are some ideas that will help keep you connected even when you’re at a distance – along with some gift ideas they’re sure to appreciate.

Telephone.
Regular phone calls are a great way to bridge the distance. Encourage your relative to call collect – or, better still, present them with a pre-paid phone card as a gift. Cell phones also have economical, long-distance calling plans and make a great gift – you may even be able to add a distant relative to your family plan for a low monthly rate.

E-mail.
Does your relative have access to e-mail? If not, find out if he or she would be open to learning. Personal computers are more affordable these days and make ideal “group” presents that two or more siblings can give together. There are also devices available that allow a user to receive e-mail without a computer.

Regular mail.
It may seem old-fashioned, but people still love to get mail (as long as it’s not a bill, of course)! It doesn’t have to be a long letter, either – a funny card with a quick note is enough to brighten someone’s day. But don’t stop there – send along drawings or schoolwork by your children, pictures, audio or video recordings, a batch of cookies, a magazine article you think your relative would enjoy…anything to let them know they’re still an important part of your life. Keep in mind, stamps, stationary or packs of greeting cards for all occasions make excellent gifts.

Fax machine.
This can be a great alternative for older people who don’t feel comfortable with a computer. Fax machines make affordable gifts, and using them lets you and your relative share items on the spot (such as photos, birth and wedding announcements, a company newsletter article about your promotion, a newspaper clipping about your son’s football game). And if your relative is confused about an insurance bill or other mail, he or she can fax it to you so you both have a copy to refer to when you talk about it on the phone.

Off-season travel tickets.
Travel costs during the holiday season may be prohibitive, but prices to tend to go down at other times of the year. Plan your trip during less busy travel times. Sending a ticket as a gift so one or both parents can visit you might be much less expensive than taking your spouse and children to see them – and it would allow your parents to see a different part of the country!

Tip: Do your folks have trouble hearing when they’re on the telephone, or is it a struggle for them to see while writing or typing? You may want to explore Gold Violin (www.goldviolin.com)! They offer many practical items designed to help people maintain an independent lifestyle.