You Can Order Cardboard Cutouts of Your Loved Ones to Help Get Through Social Distancing

One of the most challenging parts for many people is being apart from loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic. With no clear end in sight to the time spent in quarantine, it means potentially missing out on birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other important milestone celebrations—and while video chatting provides some comfort, it’s not quite the same as seeing friends and family in person.

There is one way to still spend time with your favorite people, and it’s truly hilarious. Cardboard Cutout Standees makes custom cardboard cutouts of the special people in your life, and since they’re made true-to-size, you can pose with them for photos until it’s safe to celebrate together in real life.

Offering three different material options (including coated cardboard, foam core, and corrugated plastic) and a shipping time within one business day, you can be “reunited” with loved ones sooner than you thought possible by sending in a full-length photo and choosing your specifications. For gentle indoor use, the coated cardboard option is sufficient, with the corrugated plastic serving as a solid option for those that want something more durable and that can withstand the elements—like for those upcoming outdoor parties you’ll have once the spread of the virus has slowed.

Each cutout comes with a sturdy stand and they’re customizable, so you can include speech bubbles, thought bubbles, and signs/slogans to truly give life to your cutout. Prices range from $49.99 to $209.99 (and extra charges may apply based on materials chosen) but there’s truly no better way to honor someone you can’t physically spend time with, as many people have already done.

Western Reserve Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, made sure that 400 students were able to attend a class meeting as scheduled—they ordered cutouts of each student and placed them throughout the room, letting students see themselves in the meeting on video conference.

“Our school is a community, and we miss our students very much,” Head of School Suzanne Buck told Cleveland19 News. “Our traditions bind us together, and we couldn’t resist a new twist on this one.”

Others have purchased cutouts for birthday celebrations and to help loved ones in nursing homes that are restricted to visitors right now feel a little less lonely during these uncertain times.