The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also bring its fair share of stress, especially when spending time with your in-laws. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at dealing with your partner’s family or bracing yourself for the first holiday get-together, these tips will help you navigate the season with grace and patience.
Open Lines of Communication
Open and honest communication with your partner is the first step to surviving the in-laws during the holidays. Share your concerns and anxieties, and encourage your partner to do the same. These conversations can bring you closer and help you set boundaries regarding family gatherings. Remember, you both may have different perspectives on your respective families, so mutual respect and open communication are vital.
Set Realistic Expectations
The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activity, from meal prepping to gift buying and sometimes, awkward conversations. Recognize that your in-laws have their own unique quirks, traditions, and personalities. Embrace the opportunity to learn more about your partner and their family by approaching these gatherings with curiosity. Remember that nobody is perfect, so try not to take things too personally.
Embrace the Situation
Whether you adore your in-laws or find them challenging, the holidays are here, and they are here to stay. Embrace the fact that you’ll be spending time together, and don’t let minor annoyances ruin the visit.
Avoid People-Pleasing
While it’s natural to want to make a good impression, you don’t have to go overboard trying to please everyone. Be yourself and allow your partner’s family to get to know you as you truly are. Saying “no” when needed is perfectly acceptable.
Choose Your Battles
Holidays don’t have to be the time for family confrontations. Discuss potential issues with your partner in advance and create a game plan for handling any conflicts. Setting boundaries is essential, and you don’t have to engage in confrontations with family members.
Be Diplomatic
Complaining or treating your in-laws poorly won’t change their habits. Approach them with compassion and patience, just as you would with your family during a difficult situation. Let your partner take the lead in resolving conflicts with their own parents.
Buddy Up
Establish a buddy system with your partner to support each other during potentially challenging moments. Recognize the signs when either of you is nearing the end of your patience and find ways to step away from the situation briefly to cool off.
Have an Exit Plan
If all else fails and the situation becomes unhealthy or abusive, have an exit plan. Create a safe word or phrase with your partner and agree to remove yourselves from such situations before they escalate. You should never feel obligated to endure dysfunction or abuse.
Nurture Your Relationship
Consider this holiday season an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your in-laws. Don’t just “show up” to gatherings; engage with your new family and make an effort to connect with them. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth and stronger relationships.
Make Plans Outside the House
Plan family outings with your in-laws, and focus on enjoying quality time together. Let your in-laws take the lead in spending time with the family, and capture those moments in photos as meaningful gifts.
Set Up Surprise Activities
Surprise your in-laws with special activities or experiences to spend some time apart. Tickets to a museum or reservations at their favorite restaurant can provide a much-needed break.
Go to Bed Early
Sometimes, the best way to maintain your sanity is to get some rest. Going to bed early can give you and your partner some alone time, and you can use the excuse of being tired from dealing with the festivities.
Practice Self-Care
Remember to take care of yourself. It’s okay to step back from the holiday preparations and find moments of self-care to recharge and stay in a positive mindset.
Don’t Nitpick with Your Spouse
Stay on the same team as your spouse and avoid unnecessary arguments. Pick your battles wisely and focus on what truly matters.
Have Canned Answers
Prepare polite responses to uncomfortable or inappropriate questions in advance. Having these canned answers ready can help you maintain your composure and keep the peace.
Patience is a Virtue
Give your in-laws the benefit of the doubt and try to see the good intentions behind their actions. Remember they are spending the holidays with you because they care about your family.
Breathe
Even when your in-laws get on your nerves, take a deep breath and stay calm. Most of the time, everyone is trying to create memorable moments for the family. Don’t let minor annoyances ruin your holiday spirit.
Remember, It’s Temporary
Lastly, keep in mind that the holiday season is temporary. Take it day by day, stay patient, and focus on the end goal. You only have to get through a limited number of days together.
Read More From Coleman Concierge:
Everybody talks about the romance of traveling as a couple. The reality is, sometimes you’re lucky to escape with your life and/or relationship intact! We fell in love… deeply in love… We both knew we had found our person on a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon between Jenn’s total knee replacement surgeries.
We figure, if we made it through that and not only got married but started a travel blog together, we might know a thing or two about traveling as a couple. When we wrote out our best tricks and tips for couples’ travel, it was quite a list! Stay tuned to learn easy things you can do to make the most of your adventures together.
The Only 25 Tips You Need for Traveling as a Couple
15 Travel Tips That’ll Revolutionize Your Next Adventure!
Planning a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. From choosing the perfect destination to packing efficiently, there are so many details to consider! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best travel tips that are commonly overlooked. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, these 15 travel tips will enhance your next journey.
15 Travel Tips That’ll Revolutionize Your Next Adventure!
56 Cheap Vacations for Couples to Swoon Over
There are many reasons for couples to take cheap vacations. You may be on a budget and trying to retire early or want to balance expenses on a trip between luxury stays and heart-pounding adventures. Most importantly, you shouldn’t sacrifice your fun just because you’re looking for low budget vacation ideas.
56 Cheap Vacations for Couples to Swoon Over
Travel Photography Tips You Can Use Today
Photography is often seen as a bit of a dark art or too hard for the average traveler. In reality, some simple changes and ideas can radically improve your photos, often in minutes.
Travel Photography Tips You Can Use Today
Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman, and together we are Coleman Concierge. It is our goal to inspire you to get out, expand your world, and to seek adventure, even in your own backyard.
