Celebrating festivals apart: Diwali, Eid, Christmas and more

Festivals are about being with the people you love, which is exactly why they're hard to spend apart. You can't light the same lamps or sit at the same table, but you can still share the day. Here are ideas that work for almost any celebration.

Call first thing in the morning, even briefly, and wish each other properly. If you're in different time zones, agree on which morning counts, or do both.

Walk each other through what the day looks like in your home: the food, the rituals, the music, who comes over. If your families celebrate differently, this is one of the loveliest ways to learn about each other.

Pick one festive dish and make it on a call at the same time: sweets for Diwali, a special meal for Eid, cookies for Christmas. Eat it together afterwards, even if one of you is having it for breakfast.

Wear what you'd wear if you were together. It's a small thing, but getting ready for each other makes the day feel like an occasion rather than just another call.

Diwali lamps, Holi colours, Eid lanterns, Christmas lights: make them part of the background and take a strip together. TwoFrames has festive frames for Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas and New Year, so the photos match the day.

If you're comfortable, bring your partner onto a quick call with family during the celebrations. Even five minutes of saying hello makes them feel included.

Post a small box to arrive before the day: sweets from your city, a small decoration, a handwritten card. Opening it together on a call is a lovely moment.

Make a plan to spend the next big festival in the same place, and put it on the calendar. "Next Diwali together" is a powerful thing to look forward to.

Festivals can bring up a lot of feelings when you're apart, and it's okay if one of you gets a little sad. Make space for that, and remind each other that this year is a chapter, not the whole story.