This year, why not make technology a part your holiday experience? And, while there isn't an "App" ( Application for non-techies) for family traditions, there are ways to update some of your holiday traditions; just ask your kids for help! Look for ways like these:

Use a cell phone to connect a missing family member into the family gathering. Many cell phone plans include three-way calling, call waiting, and texting. The children can handle the phone, and the adults can guide the conversation.

Ask your kids to explain to you the rules of texting or the rules of their favorite electronic game. Then, try it yourself and remember to be a good sport.

Use your cell phone to send pictures to a loved one. Or, set up a tele-conference using a laptop computer with an embedded camera and Skype.

Create a holiday photo album and share it electronically with family and friends. Facebook has a photo album application that is easy to learn and use. Your Facebook account settings can be tweaked to allow only your friends to view your pictures.

Make sure everyone's cell phone directory contains the needed telephone numbers before setting out on a shopping trip or holiday journey.

With technology so prevalent in our children's lives, now is the perfect time to use it to contribute to holiday fun and safety and to provide your children with the opportunity to teach as well as learn.

Contributor Paulette Henderson is a freelance writer living in Anadarko, Oklahoma.