The holidays are the perfect time to blend the magic of the season with the wonders of technology. From festive light displays powered by drones to quirky holiday traditions in tech history, here are some fun facts and activities to make your season merry and bright.

Fun Tech Facts for the Holidays

1. NORAD Tracks Santa: Did you know the tradition of NORAD’s Santa Tracker started in 1955 due to a misprinted phone number in a Sears ad? Today, millions of families follow Santa’s journey around the world thanks to cutting-edge technology.
2. First Online Holiday Shopping Boom: E-commerce during the holidays took off in the late 1990s. By 2000, online shopping became a staple of the season, with Amazon leading the charge.
3. The AI Behind Holiday Music: Streaming services like Spotify use AI algorithms to recommend holiday playlists tailored to your preferences, ensuring every festive gathering has the perfect soundtrack.

Tech-Savvy Holiday Activities

1. Host a Virtual Holiday Party: Bring distant friends and family together with virtual gatherings. Use platforms like Zoom or Google Meet to play games, exchange gifts, or share a holiday meal.
2. Create a Personalized Holiday Website: Use a website builder to design a family holiday newsletter or share photos and memories from the year. It’s a modern twist on the traditional holiday card.
3. Light Displays with Drones: Swap traditional string lights for a dazzling drone light show. Many communities are embracing this eco-friendly alternative to fireworks for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

How Technology Enhances Holiday Traditions

• Smart Home Decorations: Control your holiday lights, music, and more with smart home devices like Alexa or Google Home. Set schedules or sync lights to music for a festive display.
• Online Giving: Many nonprofits now offer virtual giving trees, making it easy to donate gifts to families in need.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences: Apps like “Elf Yourself” and Snapchat filters bring holiday cheer to life with interactive AR features.

Stay Safe This Season

The holidays are a prime time for cybercriminals. Protect yourself by:

• Using secure payment methods for online shopping.
• Avoiding suspicious holiday deals or phishing emails.
• Keeping your software and devices updated.

Conclusion

This holiday season, let technology add a little extra sparkle to your celebrations. Whether it’s enjoying a drone light show, hosting a virtual party, or sharing holiday fun facts, there’s no limit to how tech can make the season bright. From all of us at STG, happy holidays!