Tips for less stress and more cheer at your family ­gatherings this holiday

The holidays can be a magical time, but sometimes we can dread get togethers because of all of the additional work involved. Sharing time together doesn't have to be stressful, especially if you're willing to make a few adjustments to longstanding traditions. Here are a few options to consider this holiday season. ----- Streamline home decorating If you don't have time to deck the halls this holiday, consider downsizing your tree or contain your decorations to the two rooms where most of your company will gather, such as the family room and the kitchen. One fun way to spread the cheer is to enlist children and grandchildren. Simply select a few boxes of decorations and center them in the rooms that need pizazz. Then, let the kids arrange angels, hang garland or put ornaments on the tree. Remember to take 'before' and 'after' photos. You may find that letting go of 'perfect' could be a lot of fun and you may be delighted with the new and creative ways your items are displayed throughout your home! ----- Celebrate early When extended and blended families have to be several places in a matter of three or four days, the stress adds up! Talk to your family about other options, including setting up an earlier visit in November or October. It may work even better to plan a half-year celebration in June or July, when kids are out of school, plus a video call on the day of the traditional holiday. Coordinating a new schedule gives everyone time together while offering the young parents in your family more time and energy to create new at-home traditions with their young children. Be flexible and find ways to thoroughly enjoy time together when they AND you aren't quite so stressed, rushed, and over committed. ----- Reduce shopping stress If family gift giving has become burdensome, consider ways to lighten the financial load, along with the mental battle for good gift ideas. If you can't bring yourself to eliminate gift-giving, try drawing names, so everyone only needs to purchase one gift. Another option is a gift-swap table, where everyone brings one gift within an agreed-upon spending limit. Assign each gift a number and draw numbers to select gifts. Or, use the numbers to play a grab-bag game, complete with "gift-stealing" rules. ----- Gift giving for adults Perhaps your family wants to continue giving the little ones small gifts to unwrap. However, do the adults need (or even want) gifts? Shopping for others is a joy when it's something you want to do, versus something you feel obligated to do. If there is something you want to give an adult family member, why wait until a holiday? Why not surprise them when you find that perfect thing? It's a great way to feel joy, instead of an obligation, when giving. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season with less stress and more fun! ----- Tracy Wick, SRES, MUP is a seniors real estate specialist in Michigan with over 25 years of experience as a real estate consultant and client advocate. She is an associate broker with Keller Williams and she can help guide you through your new home search ensuring that your most important transition is the right one for you. Find more articles on home buying, selling, elder transition and estate settlement at TracyWick.com or contact her directly at 248-912-7407 or twick@kw.com. Published: Thu, Dec 12, 2019