Lorraine Kelly will be staying connected with family this Christmas
Lorraine Kelly will be using EE technology to stay in touch with relatives as she spends Christmas Day with her daughter Rosie and granddaughter Billie.
Lorraine Kelly will be spending Christmas Day with her daughter Rosie and her granddaughter Billie.
The 66-year-old presenter and her husband Steve Smith will be spending the festive period with her loved ones and will be relying on EE technology to keep in touch with relatives who are further afield.
Lorraine said: "Christmas is all about connecting with family and friends and keeping in touch. I'm lucky enough to live near Rosie, Steve and baby Billie, and we will all be together on Christmas Day, but all doing our own thing for the rest of the holidays.
"Rosie will be taking Billie to see Steve's family on Boxing Day and we are heading north to visit my mum, so these video calls with Billie mean the world. When we are the hosts, our EE broadband keeps the house feeling alive, with music on, a festive film streaming and video calls with friends and family in Scotland and all over the world.
"It's a vital way to connect with my brother in Singapore, my cousins in Germany and friends in America and Canada. Those moments, whether shared in person or on screen, make everything feel warm and connected.
"For it really feel like Christmas, it is important to feel that sense of connection with everyone, even those not geographically close by, and EE's network helps us do that."
Rosie is planning to travel between festive celebrations with her 15-month-old daughter Billie and will be using EE's mobile network to keep the family updated on all the special Christmas moments through video calls and messages.
She said: "It's true, having a baby in the family has made us very popular to spend time with! This year we're trying hard to enjoy the precious moments as a family of three but also share that with family all over the world.
"At this age Billie has so many firsts and being able to send a quick picture or have a quick video call – especially at Christmas – keeps everyone in the loop.
"With EE's mobile network, being able to share the smallest update and know that they are able to feel a part of the moments makes us all the difference."
And Brits certainly put their network through its paces over the festivities with broadband used for streaming Christmas films and TV shows (43 per cent), social media scrolling (42 per cent) and shopping for last minute gifts (34 per cent), while mobile connectivity facilitates browsing gifts and shopping online (33 per cent), sharing photos with loved ones (29 per cent) and using messaging apps to coordinate plans (27 per cent).
A further half (55 per cent) use both their broadband and mobile network to video call friends and family throughout the festive period.
Though travelling around is still a big part of the festive season, three fifths of Brits (68 per cent) of Brits admit to relying on technology to stay connected with friends and family during Christmas, with more than half (58 per cent) stating that a simple video call helps them feel close to people who are miles away.
EE has also partnered with Expert Psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, who has shared her top tips for families that are travelling between different homes, but want to stay as connected as possible this Christmas, which are:
Share the unpolished moments
Perfection is overrated. The real connection comes from candid moments. “Let things be wonderfully imperfect. A messy kitchen selfie or a snap of the slightly lopsided dessert says, ‘you’re here with us’ far more than a curated post ever could.”
Protect those festive rituals
It's important to keep those family traditions alive, from taking the time to plan when you’ll watch that annual viewing of Love Actually together, or sending a personalised festive playlist in the group chat, to share those connective habits during Christmas. This is where good broadband plays a central role. “When the broadband holds firm, the rhythm of the day stays intact. It keeps the music playing, the recipes loading and the video calls flowing.”
Map out your journey beforehand, so you’re connected while on the move
Travelling between homes can be hectic, so it's best to map out the route ahead of time, and make sure to keep the family updated so there is no stress. “The best technology is the kind you never have to think about. When your mobile connection works without fuss, you can focus on the moment rather than the mechanics.”
Create shared moments, even from afar
Synchronised traditions help families feel aligned, even when they are apart. For example, watching the same film in matching pyjamas, cooking the same recipe together over a video call, or sending regular progress updates of decorating your Christmas Tree. “You can be thousands of miles apart and still create moments that feel beautifully in sync.”
Build tiny, repeatable habits
Consistency beats grandeur. Small, steady touchpoints create a sense of continuity that helps everyone feel connected, even when the day is scattered across different places and plans. ‘A morning group message or a quick check in before bed can be more grounding than any big gesture. Small rituals build emotional closeness.”
To find out more, visit: www.ee.co.uk/eedoesmore
