Nothing soothes the soul quite like a comfortable tête-à-tête with a friend or family member. Too bad most of us get more face time with the grocery store clerk than with the people who really matter in our lives. Looking to reconnect? Try these tactics.

Jettison the TV

A radical step, but it works. Exiling the tube to the basement, if only temporarily, can free up hours every day. Your brood will be forced to find alternate entertainment, which actually might include (gasp!) talking to one another.

Try a Little Gamesmanship

Standing dates for munchies and games (anything from gin rummy to a board game — whatever suits your fancy) are just an excuse for what you’re really after: a gabfest. Set up the card table, put out the chips and let the chatter begin.

Book Some Time

You don’t need to host a national TV talk show to start your own book club. For fun kids’ games, literacy-promoting activities and tips for parents, visit the RIF Reading Planet, an online feature of the nonprofit organization Reading Is Fundamental (www.rifreadingplanet.org/rif).

Champion a Charity

Community service is a terrific way to carve out quality time with loved ones and to give back to others. Lists of opportunities, from raking leaves to serving meals, are available online at such sites as www.volunteermatch.org and www.habitat.org. The Points of Light Foundation has a special section just for families at www.pointsoflight.org/networks/youthfamily.

Par-Tee

Gather the clan for a monthly bash. Make it a memorable event by having alternate generations select music from different decades. (For added fun, you can even ask for theme-appropriate dress.) Or rent a movie projector and set up an outdoor theater to enjoy a film alfresco.

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