How to Avoid Fighting During the Holidays

Between buying presents, hanging holiday decorations, deciding which parents with whom to spend the holidays and coping with divorced families, the holidays can be stressful. Fighting during the holidays is usually a result of that stress, so follow these tips to avoid fighting during the holidays.

Avoid Fighting During the Holidays: Put the Kids First

Much of the fighting that goes on during the holidays is most harmful on any children involved. Rather than focusing on your own stress levels, work hard to make the holidays enjoyable for the kids. Have fun buying presents, teaching the kids how to make decorations and getting to see family members. When you put the kids first, everything else seems to melt away.

Avoid Fighting During the Holidays: Plan Ahead

Avoid last-minute decision making by planning ahead for the holidays. Know exactly where you are going to spend each holiday, and make adjustments accordingly. Make lists of things you need to buy, dig up recipes well in advance, and let the holidays be about family rather than running around trying to make last-minute changes.

Avoid Fighting During the Holidays: Bring Friends

Your family is much less likely to fight if you bring friends to family functions. Watch your parents, aunts, uncles and cousins as they slip into their best behavior in front of guests. This can help to ease the tension, and remember: the more the merrier.

Avoid Fighting During the Holidays: Go On Vacation

Take away the stress of playing host or hostess to a houseful of people by going on vacation. Instead of having Thanksgiving at your house, for example, suggest that everyone take a family vacation. Placing yourself in neutral surroundings with plenty to see and do will keep fighting to a minimum. Make it even easier by planning a very full itinerary of tourist attractions and restaurants.

Avoid Fighting During the Holidays: Laugh About It

Laughter can be the best medicine for tense situations. Instead of freaking out when things go wrong, put a positive spin on it and know that it will be something you and your family can laugh about for years to come.

Avoid Fighting During the Holidays: Get Plenty of Sleep

The holidays should be a time for rest and relaxation, so put off the cleaning, the yard work and the correspondence until a later date. Get plenty of rest, read a few new books and watch the holiday specials on television. They will help to keep your stress levels down and will rejuvenate you for when stressful situations occur.