Media Post has been discussing the word engagement and Gord Hotchkiss set out to present the two definitions.

Both definitions are tied to a personal connection and commitment to something beyond our own self. To be engaged is several steps past just showing up or just being involved with someone or in something. In fact, the word engagement has become quite a buzz in social media companies. We even have books that focus on how to be more engaged or engaging on the internet.

Our business revolves around party activities, so we ask the question: Can you have an engaging engagement party?

The answer is yes… From the “ring and wedding” perspective, the engagement period can be one of the most engaging times in a couples life. If done right, all the family becomes engaged in the process.

The impact of a wedding announcement is widespread, even though the focus is on a singular event. There are two distinct families to be introduced, connected and finally united.

But even a traditional engagement party leaves some people out in the cold; feeling less engaged in the process. The level of connection is naturally diminished for some family members who live a distance from the bride and groom.

When an engagement party is planned, there are often those who feel left out because they cannot afford to travel for the real party. In this case the distance builds barriers to personal engagement.

The solution to this challenge is to find ways to engage others without the need to travel. The new tools on the internet can help to involve distant relatives and friends at the start of the engagement period, and through to the wedding party. Skype, Facebook and Youtube can all be employed to share some of the exciting steps toward the nuptials.

Weddings create a flurry of party and gift giving opportunities that are used to support and demonstrate love for the couple. Those who live close get the great parties and participate in the fun personal interactions. It is sad that distance is a restriction for some friends during this important life event.

How could the web be employed to make the engagement party more engaging for even the most distant friend?

We have a few ideas…. What about you?

Are there any other people who are experiencing what Sarah and I are living through? Are there other stories like ours?

Twenty-five years of child-rearing trained us to pay attention to the lives of the five unique personalities placed in our care. We spent our time between watching and participating in the developing story of our children’s lives. We helped write the first few chapters, but now they author their own stories, independently and from a distance.

I must believe that many other moms and dads of grown children are experiencing and struggling with a similar change in roles… From story director to story observer.

There is a feeling of loss at first. Not only of the physical presence and the missing sounds of young voices, but of the missing responsibility that comes with actively directing the story for so many years. There is a realization that the independence that you promoted for so long has turned on you, and left you only to watch what happens next.

It is hard to sit on the sidelines when for so long you have been in the middle of the action.

What can be done?

The answer lies in the realization that watching and participating in the life story of our family doesn’t end at the empty nest. We learn to contribute from a different perspective and find ways to add value to the growing stories being written in other locations.

In our case, it involved building an electronic mimic of our family room, where everyone could join for a few hours of conversation and fun together. This is a place where mom and dad can electronically watch and participate in the story again. An internet family night, if you will. A web-based party like those we hosted in our family room many times before.

Our family game will never take us back in time or fill the house with the sound of childrens laughter… But for a few days during the party, we can enjoy the familiar arguing between our children. We can experience the humor and the cleaver banter of our new “in-law” children, and witness some of the stories that they are all now telling.

For a short period of time, their lives join with ours on the pages of a website, in an activity that promotes telling stories and sharing fun as a family.

As far as I am concerned, that is the great story that we share with you, and we plan to stick with it…

NOTE: I was inspired to write this story from a post that Jim Gilmartin contributed to the Media Post organization concerning the Baby Boomer Generation.

...to grand mothers house we go.

With almost 20% of Americans choosing to travel less this year; will personal and family connections suffer from the reduced involvement? The answer is probably yes. But there are some solutions that can help fill part of the gaps.

In a survey conducted by American Express and reported by Media Post’s Jack Loechner, we learn that; “19% of the general population who traveled last year will be staying home in 2009”.

The survey also suggested that more people are going to drive this year instead of flying, which will further cut into the quality family time this holiday season. When you consider that just over 60% of us did no holiday traveling last year, we have the makings of a very blue season. Which means, we won’t be seeing grandma or others as much as we would in better economic times.

But families can be creative when finding a replacement for this loss of face to face visiting.  The personal visit can be replaced by a virtual connection made in one of the many social networks or applications on the internet.

With these new web-based tools, Grandma can see the new baby on Skype… The young professional can share her thoughts and pictures with Mom and Dad through Facebook… And Uncle Bob can use YouTube to show-off the gifts he opened at his holiday party.

None of these solutions are as good as the feeling of sitting with friends and family around a warm fire, but the internet can replace some the connections that distance may have cooled.

Many of these online applications allow us to remain close, even when distance and money are restricting our travel plans. Joining together online will at least provide some measure of the family togetherness that we all crave during the holidays.

This year we may be traveling less, and missing a few hugs, but online activities like AlbinoPhant will bring grandma a little bit closer to her family , even if we don’t go over the river or through the woods.

What are you doing to share the holiday spirit online?