Onceuponatime Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was at a casual party recently and one of the guests was the grown child of the hosts, via skype. A laptop was carried around so that she could participate in whatever conversation or activity that was going on. I thought it was a little odd and awkward, but I don't really know what my objections are other than it's not what I am used to or expect. Have you ever experienced this? What do you think about having "virtual guests?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I have, but it was a teen party, and one of their good friends had just moved across the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 My college son will video chat with his sister's on their birthdays. He even pops in to peek at our Thanksgiving dinner, but he doesn't stay for the whole party. I like it because I get to see his wonderful face during special times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 One of my sisters lives out of state. We hosted our family Christmas gathering last year, and we did Skype them during the opening of the presents, so that we could see them open our presents to them, and they could see us open their presents to them. It was nice to finally have them be able to participate in the festivities, at least to some extent. Carrying them around on a laptop might be a little tiresome, though! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 My husband has done that lots of times with his family when we've lived far away during the holidays or when the family gets together. It's even easier when you have a smaller device like an iPod that you can carry around. We do all kinds of things over Skype. I'd be happy to talk to a virtual guest at a party- it's obviously important to several people because it takes some effort to coordinate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 We've done that, although not for a whole party. When dd1 was having her baby blessing (like christening), my family couldn't make it, so we Skyped the whole thing with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 My family lives in Oklahoma--8 hrs away. I have a dd in college 4 hours in the opposite direction. Her breaks are short--so we will not make the 'big drive' this year, instead we will be Skyped into the gathering. We usually schedule a time--like from 4-5pm on Thanksgiving--and when they open presents at the Christmas gathering. We have done this a few times in the past-- the quality of Skype is so much better now. I also have a Webex account (for my classes) and we can have 'virtual' parties with lots of family members from coast to coast at the same time-- it is great. My dd (away at college) Skypes us DAILY... she is having a tough time (health issues)... It is nice to actually 'see' her to make sure she is taking care of herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 One of my sisters lives out of state. We hosted our family Christmas gathering last year, and we did Skype them during the opening of the presents, so that we could see them open our presents to them, and they could see us open their presents to them. It was nice to finally have them be able to participate in the festivities, at least to some extent. Carrying them around on a laptop might be a little tiresome, though! :lol: We had my MIL on Skype last year for opening presents on Christmas morning. It was great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 *praying that MIL doesn't discover Skype* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 One of my sisters lives out of state. We hosted our family Christmas gathering last year, and we did Skype them during the opening of the presents, so that we could see them open our presents to them, and they could see us open their presents to them. It was nice to finally have them be able to participate in the festivities, at least to some extent. Carrying them around on a laptop might be a little tiresome, though! :lol: We did this using webcam with the grandparents last christmas! Our Internet does not allow it this year :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brilliant Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 *praying that MIL doesn't discover Skype* LOL. You will just have to pretend you're too technically challenged to figure it out on your end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 LOL. You will just have to pretend you're too technically challenged to figure it out on your end. Well, I think she would be, for starters...Just would rather not even go there :lol: Problem is, I think it would be *awesome* for my parents, now that its been mentioned...But Wolf would then want/feel obligated to do the same with his mother...what to do, what to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Son at college means we miss him dreadfully and love it when we can have him join us however it is possible. LOOOOOOVE having the ability to do it. If I were separated from the people I love, I would be so happy if they would let me intrude on all their fun activities that way! I've been thinking about including some extra people in my book club this way, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was at a casual party recently and one of the guests was the grown child of the hosts, via skype. A laptop was carried around so that she could participate in whatever conversation or activity that was going on. I thought it was a little odd and awkward, but I don't really know what my objections are other than it's not what I am used to or expect. Have you ever experienced this? What do you think about having "virtual guests?" We video chat w/relatives. I wouldn't feel comfortable participating in a video chat w/people I don't know well. The internet and everything..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Since some of the members of my husband's family are in various places around the country, we usually skype with them at a set time during birthday or holiday gatherings. We don't carry the computer around, though. It's set on a specific table or counter, and anyone who wants to visit goes there. We visit with a niece and a few nephews who are away at college, and one entire family who lives out of state. It's wonderful to be able to share a few minutes of our celebration with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLDoll Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Ten years ago, my brother was working on a cruise line in the Mediterranean. My husband and I had to move our wedding up one month due to his unit deploying post 9/11. My brother made it to a payphone booth and called in for the small wedding, which was held in my parents' backyard. We had a chair reserved for him with his graduation photo in it. The phone had a large sign with his name taped to it. He got to listen to the ceremony and he was in all the pictures as labeled phone and photo. While I wish he could have been there, I love looking at those pictures now. I'm sure Skype would have made that whole experience better and I don't think it's that strange to include a long-distance loved one in a family event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Ten years ago, my brother was working on a cruise line in the Mediterranean. My husband and I had to move our wedding up one month due to his unit deploying post 9/11. My brother made it to a payphone booth and called in for the small wedding, which was held in my parents' backyard. We had a chair reserved for him with his graduation photo in it. The phone had a large sign with his name taped to it. He got to listen to the ceremony and he was in all the pictures as labeled phone and photo. While I wish he could have been there, I love looking at those pictures now. I'm sure Skype would have made that whole experience better and I don't think it's that strange to include a long-distance loved one in a family event. What a fabulous memory! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Yes my friend got married in Australia last weekend and skyped it with family in USA who couldn't make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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