The holiday season is filled with bright colors, sparkles, glitter, nostalgia, and cheer. But it can also be a season filled with unique and maybe even difficult family dynamics. Since we’ve already discussed gift ideas, and we hope you’ve got your holiday shopping done (without overspending) we’ll discuss some tips to make your family gatherings enjoyable and memorable.

We know that every family dynamic is different and sometimes these gatherings may be one of the only times a year you get to see your extended family. For others it may be just another gathering, we could all use some tips for how to best spend the holiday season with our loved ones. Whether it’s how to facilitate meaningful conversations or how to thoughtfully reminisce on memories shared, we’ve got you covered! 

Getting to spend the holidays with loved ones is truly a blessing, and however you choose to celebrate this season, we hope you take time to think about all of the things and people you’re grateful for! Here at Senior Industry Services, we are grateful for our loyal community and all those who support seniors and those who serve them.

Tip 1: Ask For Help

While this might seem like a simple enough task, we may often find our pride not allowing us to ask for assistance. But, the holidays should be enjoyed by all. Whether you live close by family or you have to travel, gatherings are often overwhelming and stressful, especially for the one hosting. This stress can be alleviated by enlisting the help of others! 

• Instead of making an elaborate meal, have a potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish or to contribute in some way.
• Ask for help or offer to help setting up and cleaning after, you can even chat with family while you do this to make it more enjoyable. 

Tip 2: Set Aside Time For Some R&R

Taking time to rest and relax both before and after gatherings is important. Our mental health should always be our number one priority, but we may find ourselves putting it on the back burner during stressful seasons. Remember to allow yourself self-compassion and time for some peace and quiet, doing whatever it is that helps you to relax.

• Set aside some time to focus on yourself, your needs, and your mental health, whether that be having a relaxing bath or reading a book, just take some time to decompress.
• Make sure you’re taking care of yourself even amid the holiday chaos, be sure to get enough sleep and eat well.

Tip 3: Make Things Easier

One way to help make family gatherings easier is to make it simple! Sometimes it’s easier to use single-use items such as paper plates for meals and desserts so there’s less to clean up afterward. Do whatever you can and whatever feels most helpful during holiday preparation so that you can sit back and enjoy time with your friends and family.

• Use single-use dishes to reduce the amount of cleaning to do afterward, as well as plastic cups with a permanent marker so people can write their names on their cups.
• There’s no need to go all out with decorations, you can keep it simple and minimal or even thrift some decorations to help make your space feel more festive.

Tip 4: Plan Ahead

Along the same lines of making things easier, planning ahead is another way to help ensure a less stressful holiday gathering. You can create a to-do list for tasks you have such as cooking, baking, or gift-wrapping, and try to tackle one task every day leading up to your gathering. This will help avoid last-minute stress and prevent you from scrambling the day of the gathering.

• Make a to-do list with things you need to do to prepare for the holidays, this will help keep you focused and also show you all that you’ve completed as you can visually see your progress.
• Plan gatherings ahead of time and avoid waiting until the last minute to schedule time together to give everyone time to prepare and avoid unneeded stress.

Tip 5: No Electronics

Being able to gather with friends and families during the holidays is a blessing that’s often overlooked. We should cherish the time we get to spend with them and make sure our gratitude is known. When having conversations with people we tend to make eye contact to show we are listening and interested in what the other is saying. But, in a digital age with cell phones glued to the palms of our hands, it can be hard to feel connected even when you’re in the same room. Setting aside or limiting these distractions can help your time together feel valuable and memorable. 

• Set aside a basket for phones and electronic devices to prompt meaningful and connected conversations, or simply encourage a no-phone policy during certain times or activities.
• Enjoy living in the moment with those you love and turn off or silence your phone to give them your undivided time and attention, this is sure to show them how much you value them and the time you get to spend together.

We hope these tips help to ensure you have a wonderful gathering with your friends and family! We hope you have a happy holiday season with those you love!

From, your friends at Senior Industry Services

Written for Senior Industry Services by Lauren Hope Bartling