Smart phones are ubiquitous these days, but at this time of year they can be too pervasive. Electronics are likely to be unwelcome at family dinners, work parties and friends’ gift exchanges. How can you get people of all ages to be social with each other instead of with social media? Here are a few ideas.

Play Games

People reach for their phones when they are bored. Prevent boredom with board games. It can be challenging to capture the attention of teens and adults with a few dice and some cardboard, especially those used to video games. However, a new genre call strategy board games may work. These games, such as the recently released Rise of Tribes game, combine the aesthetic of video games with the simplicity and approachability of traditional board games. You might also suggest more physically active alternatives like charades, visual challenges such as jigsaw puzzles or mentally engaging options such as card games. In general, avoid chess and checkers, as they are limited to two participants which will leave most of the party-goers out of the fun.

Get Creative

If there are many children present—or just those young at heart—you may try some creative pursuits. Little children may prefer building forts, creating card house villages or using coloring books. Older children often enjoy craft projects such as greeting cards or Christmas tree ornaments, which can become gifts for aunts, uncles and grandparents to treasure for years to come. If space allows, outline kids’ silhouettes on rolls of craft paper, then break out inexpensive acrylic paints for participants to color their own likenesses. Give the resulting works of art to parents or store them and bring them out at future family gatherings.

Set Smart Phone Limits

Employers have found it necessary to create cell phone policies and that necessity has snuck into our personal lives as well. Hosts have every right to limit the use of electronics: your party, your rules. If you want the whole event “unplugged” let it be known beforehand; realize that a few parents and professionals may decline the invitation rather than be without connectivity for hours. However, most people find reasonable boundaries are easy to comply with, such as no texting at the dinner table or posting on social media. Also feel free to ask that ringers be silenced. Remember that someone will inevitably take out their smartphone to retrieve information or share photos. The best approach may be to ignore the brief disruption or make casual fun of it—you want to have a good time, not spend your time policing the phone policy.

Give Smart Phone Assignments

Another approach is to embrace the fact that people love their smartphones and laptops. Put your most tech-savvy guests to work beforehand: have one in charge of electronic invitations, ask another to prepare the music playlist. Assign camera-lovers to take pictures throughout the party, then compile a slide show to share after dessert. Advanced users may be able to produce a short video, complete with titles and theme music. In this way everyone can use their phones to their comfort level and the phone itself can be a tool not for isolating, but for connecting.