Holiday Planning With Multiple Families and Easy Tips for Time Management

It is the time of year when we spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately, it does take a lot of planning to "spread the love" to everyone you wish throughout the holidays. Many people are members of large families. Some are blended or extended families, which potentially poses a problem when it is time to commit to planned events. If any length of travel is involved, that complicates the situation even more. You can't be everywhere at the same time. Hopefully, these will be a few tips to assist you this holiday season with your holiday planning.

If there was ever a time when your calendar was your friend, it is now.  It will be impossible to keep track of all the activities without one.  Consider your calendar to be the blueprint for your holiday season.  Depending upon how much of a social butterfly you are, there will still be the occasional impromptu invitation or visit.  Do not let that throw you off completely.  Even if a surprise invitation (or a surprise visit) comes to the surface, either go with the flow or graciously recommend to do it another time.  No harm...no foul.

Discuss with everyone when they plan to have their gatherings and, if applicable, when you plan to host your own. It is at this point you will red flag any conflicting dates. Do not make promises you cannot keep. It doesn't pay to say whatever you think everyone wants to hear. If you can't make it, be honest. Plus, there is nothing wrong with saying you will stop by for a short while. It doesn't have to be an all day commitment. Lots of short visits to different locations can go a very long way, especially if everyone is in relatively close proximity to each other.

No rule states that the celebration of a holiday has to be on the actual holiday.  Parents will find that their kids will especially like the idea of having more than one holiday to celebrate.  Of course, this is a matter of preference.  Some may not like this idea, but the holidays are more about being thankful and spending time with those you love...isn't it?  It shouldn't matter on which day that occurs.

Parents should consider that their children may have places they would like to go as well. They may have friends who would like to spend time with them or have them meet their family. Divide and conquer! Permit them to spend time independently and they will appreciate the time they spend with you that much more. After a certain age, your children do not want to be packed around like luggage. Give them the freedom to visit elsewhere, while maintaining commitments to spend time with their own family. Again, just work out a schedule and use your calendar.

Instead of looking at your watch and working on a strategy for your escape plan because you have made other commitments, relax and enjoy yourself. Regardless of how good of an actor you are, everyone will notice when you are squirming and looking for a way to make an exit.  Use these tips to assist you throughout the holiday season. Focus more on spending time with your loved ones.  Share the old memories and make some new ones.