Merging two families together can present some challenges at the holiday time. Most families have traditions that they follow each year. It might be visiting a particular light display, breakfast with santa or opening a gift on Christmas eve. However, when a family does one set of traditions, and another family has a different set of traditions, there is bound to be some conflict.
The first step is to sit down and communicate your traditions to each other. Discuss the events and activities that you cannot possibly imagine doing without each year. You might also involve the family in this process, as it is an important step in communication and getting along with others.
There is always a possibility that one family will conceded to the traditions of the other, or that there will be a way to do every single tradition that both families are accustomed to. But the problem is, that is rare. If it is possible, I say run with it, but if it isn’t – that is more likely and needs to be dealt with.
You need to keep in mind that any traditions involving younger children should be kept until they outgrow them (ie. Photos with Santa, etc.). And holiday parties you might be known for, probably will need to be compromised on quite a bit, as two families will have people to invite. But other than big things like that, it’s all about compromise, period.
Remember that you are including more people in your traditions, and you can create your own special holiday traditions that involve new activities and events that become a part of your Blended Family traditions.
It is difficult to accommodate everyone’s feelings, but it is an important part of including all family members in the new Blended Family, so be willing to sacrifice things and give up things you might otherwise have been accustomed to. Create new special traditions, because those are the memories that will stand the test of time.