Holidays are a wonderful time of year. They are a time to visit and celebrate with family and close friends. They are a time to be thankful for the relationships that you have.
Once you are married or involved in a serious relationship (serious enough to meet the family) the family and time to spend with each family doubles. You no longer have one family to celebrate with but two. Scheduling and planning can be very tricky.
Things can get even more complicated when your family and your mate’s family live far apart.
Trying to decide or determine which family you will celebrate with can leave others with hurt or angry feelings. You must be careful to remember that it is no longer only about you. You must take your partner’s family and feelings into consideration also.
Some families are workable and change schedules to meet the needs of others. However, some families are very set in traditions and their holiday dates and times.
Some couples that cannot possibly celebrate on Christmas with both families alternate their visits from year to year. If much traveling is involved, it may be best to visit his family this year and then your family next year.
Other couples alternate holidays. If they spend Thanksgiving with his family then they will spend Christmas with her family.
No matter what you decide, it is very important to allow equal time with both sets of families. Your relationship is a partnership. Your family is his and his family is yours.
If traveling is not a problem, it is usually possible to spend the holidays with both sets of families. If the two are eating Christmas dinner at the same time, eat with one family and then have dessert with the other.
Neither partner should have to sacrifice spending time with family. If children are involved, it is also important for them to get to know each of their parents’ family.
The First Thanksgiving Website
Family Home Evening Thanksgiving
Husbands and Christmas Shopping