Teen Easter Basket IdeasLight Therapy LampsEaster Gifts for AdultsBest Earbuds for iPhoneEaster Basket StuffersTechElectronicsThe Meta Portal Go: Keeping Me in Touch With Family Despite the DistanceMy sister, brother-in-law, and niece live states away from me. But with the Portal, I can easily reach them in ways more meaningful than a phone call.

　　By Amber Joglar

　　Buying a gift takes special consideration. And we’ve all been on both sides of the exchange, whether it’s gone well or not so well. You know when the wrapping paper comes off whether a present is a winner. In our Gifted & Approved series, we tell the stories of those winners, the best presents our editors have either given or received. We hope they provide a little inspiration and advice as you go about your holiday shopping and gift search.

　　My niece is about to turn 4, and she’s at an age where playing 24/7 is the only to-do on her list. She loves to draw, mold kinetic sand, and sing into her Frozen-themed karaoke machine. She’s active and imaginative, and quite the entertainer. She also loves an audience: I’ve spent many a time just sitting on the couch, watching while she pedals her bike around the kitchen or does her quirky version of gymnastics in the living room.

　　She’s growing incredibly quickly, and with life and busy schedules getting in the way, it’s hard to be there for every transformative moment with her. My niece, sister, and brother-in-law live states away from me, so visiting often is a challenge, and we rely on video and phone calls to stay connected. That’s why my sister gifted me the , so we can keep in touch despite the distance.

　　Facebook Meta Portal Go Touch Screen

　　Facebook Meta Portal Go Touch Screen

　　$140 at Amazon$140 at WalmartThe Portal Go is a portable video chat device that allows you to make calls via apps like Facebook, Zoom, and WhatsApp. It’s super easy to use — so easy that my niece is basically a wizard with hers (she’s not an iPad kid, I promise). It’s battery-powered and has an integrated handle, plus its wide base acts as a stand, so her tiny hands can carry it from room to room and place it down while we talk and play. She can easily make calls through Facebook (on mom’s account, of course).

　　When we are able to be together, the Portal Go still gets plenty of use. We video chat her grandparents and get them to join in on the activity, whether it be making towers with magnetic tiles or something simple like keeping her extra company while she eats dinner. We like to say that she “loves her people,” which means spending time with her favorite family members, even if it’s only virtually.