BY ERIK J. MARTIN, CTW FEATURES
Stress-free scheduling for your extended family gathering How to accommodate everyone’s calendar without chaos this holiday season
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ven with the coronavirus lingering, people’s schedules seem busier than ever. And that makes it challenging to coordinate calendars among family members when it’s time to plan for holiday gatherings. Deciding which house will host a party, who will make and bring a particular dish, limits on gift-giving, and picking the perfect date and time can trigger family schisms and stress — especially this year, when relatives may have to adapt their plans to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But these details don’t have to descend into disarray if you take the right approach. That means grabbing the holidays by the reins early and encouraging a democratic dialogue with your loved ones. 14
Spaces: Home for the Holidays
“The holiday season seems to begin so much earlier these days, and families often feel pressure to plan and host the perfect gatherings,” says Meg Nordmann, the St. Augustine, Florida-based author of “Have Yourself a Minimalist Christmas” (Amazon, 2020). “But if we can curate and edit our calendars in advance and decide what’s most important to us, it’s easier to block out the holiday noise and avoid becoming distracted and overscheduled.” Risa Williams, a licensed psychotherapist and online life coach in Los Angeles who specializes in anxiety and stress reduction, agrees that the key is to get a head start on holiday prep.
“Particularly due to coronavirus, many people are deciding on whether or not they want to engage in social events and travel. That’s why it’s a good idea this year to communicate holiday ideas well ahead of time while also listening to the current needs and concerns of the family and friends involved,” suggests Williams. Olga Zakharchuk, a busy mother and small business owner in Los Angeles, recommends that all folks involved in holiday planning should meet up on Zoom weeks before the big day. “As you work through the details and settle on arrangements with your loved ones, remember that your best-laid plans will never November 2020
