10 Tips for Preparing for Christmas Guests
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Posted in the Simple Life
One of the most common story lines in Christmas episodes of television shows is the conflict arising from the expectations of visiting family and friends during the holidays. I suspect the recurring use of this theme is due to its resonance with viewers.
There’s an expectation that major holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. Bringing a group of people together with a range of ideas and expectations as to how the holiday should be celebrated can lead to stress and discontent leading to
A little planning will go a long way to minimize the relationship friction which can occur. Here are ten tips to help keep things simple at when dealing with company for the holidays.
- Determine expectations up front. When you start planning who is going to be visiting at Christmas, find out what their expectations are.
- Coordinate everyone’s expectations. Create a master list. Figure out which expectations are similar; which are different; which can be done individually; and which are group activities.
- Decide how much you are going to do. Create a schedule. You’re not going to be able to meet every expectation for every person. There’s only so much time. Put the time to the best use.
- Simplify the plans. The less complex an activity is, the more likely it will be enjoyed by all.
- Decide who will help with each activity. Let the visitors know that their help is needed if expectations are to be met.
- Don’t do everything together. If half the group wants to go skating and the other half to a carol service, let them go. Don’t try and force everyone to share all the activities.
- Plan your meals. You don’t have to cook for them all, every time. If visitors are going to be with you for a couple of days, prepare meals ahead of time. If the visit is longer, include dining-out or take-out options. If appropriate, ask your guests to plan and prepare a meal or two or at least help out in the kitchen.
- Do less. Figure out which things are necessary to do, which would be nice to do, which can be put off for a few days. The vacuuming can wait a couple of days so the group can go skating on Boxing Day.
- Have some “me” time. Nothing can suck the joy out of the holidays faster than waiting on others hand and foot. Whether an hour with a coffee and a book or a corner table at your favourite coffee shop, allow some down time, by yourself or with a partner.
- Enjoy. The whole point of getting together during the holidays to to enjoy yourself and each other’s company. Don’t fill the schedule so full that there’s no time to visit. Don’t make activities so complex that you’re exhausted at the end of the day.
Celebrations don’t need to be high-stress times. Figure out what’s important, plan, and plan early. Then sit back and get the most out of the holiday.
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Complimenti per idea del sito. Anche noi siamo amanti del trekking. Perche non organizziamo un incontro di appassionati per delle escursioni insieme? Magari non piu di 6-8 in tutto? Un saluto.
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