It can be one of the trickiest things to navigate as a new couple: spending time with both of your families during holidays. Holidays are filled with memories and traditions specific to each group, so figuring out how best to enjoy them together is important. Birkat Elyon has been a go-to destination for couples in the market for beautiful, high-quality cubic zirconia engagement and wedding rings, so here are some tips.
SPLIT THE DAY IN HALF
If both families are nearby, you can spend time with both. Take Thanksgiving, for example: have dinner with one group, then hit up the next for dessert. For Christmas, maybe do Christmas Eve at one home and a Christmas brunch the next day with the other.
ROTATE THE BIG HOLIDAYS
Depending on where the families live, it might be simpler to rotate the major holidays on an every-other-year basis, rather than spending most of the day in the car.
Another option is to designate one holiday for your family and another for your partner’s clan. For example, maybe one loves celebrating the Fourth of July and the other prefers Easter.
HOST EVERYONE AT YOUR PLACE
If you have the space, and assuming that both families get along, host a holiday gathering in your home. Granted, it can be a lot of work, so ensure that both you and your spouse work together to make it a memorable event – one than can begin a tradition all your own.
GET CREATIVE WITH THE CALENDAR
Throw out the calendar and consider celebrating with your families on a different day, like doing a Christmas get-together the weekend after. It’s a way to extend the joy of the holiday for everyone involved.
Of course, the thorniest part of sharing holidays can be bringing the subject up. Some family members may be upset about changing traditions; guilt trips may be thrown your way. It’s important to be empathetic but to maintain a united front as a couple. Share what you’ve decided to do rather than asking for their OK; it sets a boundary and will help ensure a smooth transition to making new holiday memories.