Wouldn’t it be wonderful to revive the art of conversation this holiday season?

What if we didn’t plan every moment with movies, games, playing the Wii, TV and cooking?

Imagine after Christmas dinner everyone, including the kids, gather in the living room to talk and remember stories. Grandpa tells of the time the mouse ate his Christmas orange and Grandma reminiscences on how she met Grandpa. Uncles and aunts laugh at "remember whens." Your sister tells of Christmases when you two were growing up together to your children. The kids are asking questions.

Maybe it’s already like that in your home. In many homes, though, the art of conversation is being lost. Even when you get in the same room, the younger ones are busy texting their friends or playing their portable games rather than engaging in conversation.

Sure, it may be easier that way. But, they are losing valuable skills of communicating in longer sentences than sound bites. How about if we hold on to the cell phones for a bit and let them become part of the conversation?

If you are a little rusty with communicating, try these questions:

• What was Christmas like when you were little?
• What is your favorite holiday memory?
• What was the worst storm you were in?
• How did you get along with your siblings?
• What is your favorite memory of…
• Who is the most loving person you know?
• Did your parents ever do anything silly?
• What was your most memorable toy?

Looking at family photos are a great way to trigger stories.

You can also find questions to ask in the If series of books by Evelyn McFarlane and James Savwell. And the book, "4,000 Questions for Getting to Know Anyone and Everyone".