Technology has already changed our way of life in monumental ways, from putting a man on the moon to shopping for groceries online. This year it goes just a step further—you can now party without ever leaving your house thanks to the Houseparty app. The new live video chat lets you commune with friends and family around the country—sort of like a cross between Facebook and Skype.
Here's how it works: Once you download you download the app for free, you can add friends based on phone numbers in your stored contacts or by username. You can join what they call "rooms" (a play on the old school "chat room") with other friends who're also on the app. The limit per chat room is eight participants, but there is no limit on the number of rooms. Similar to an IRL party, you can mingle among one group, then mingle with another group, and then another, and then back again. Just a swipe across the screen is all you need to switch to another room.
Unfortunately, the app isn't capable of allowing you to feel a loved ones warm hug, but nothing in life is perfect. One thing is for sure: if you need to live on a strict budget, it's 100 percent cheaper than flying home this holiday season!
