AT&T's Holiday Et-Tech-Quette Tips For Alexandria Residents

Bags are packed, airplane tickets booked, car tanks filled, and presents bought – it’s the holiday season, which means quality time with your family! Before you get full on all the home-made treats, make sure you maximize time with your loved ones by ensuring that face-to-face interaction isn’t interrupted by electronic devices. Here are AT&T’s top five tips on electronic etiquette this holiday season:

• Phones on the Sidelines – Not for the faint of heart: suggest everyone put their devices into one communal bowl before dinner in order to ensure minimal electronic interference.
• Silence is Golden – Put your cell phones on silent or vibrate mode.
• Instagram Later – It might be tempting to select the perfect filter for that great picture of your holiday meal, but wait until after the meal to Instagram to your heart’s desire.
• Facebook Before or After – Changing your status to show you are thankful while tagging everyone around the table? Great idea, but update your status either before or after the meal, not during.
• Show Gratitude – Use an app such as Paperless Post to send a thank-you e-card to your host.

Of course, there’s an exception if you want to all gather to video chat with a family member who couldn’t make it to the festivities.