Holidays…..blending families at this time is always the most challenging aspect of marrying later in life. Holidays are a time when memories and sensitivities run deep. Thus, adding new families into the mix can often cause scheduling challenges and hurt feelings as traditions change with new members to consider. Breathe…. There can be some hiccups, but with careful planning and sharing each families traditions, you can create your own new traditions with your extended families. The most important point is to see and listen to all the dynamics each new family member remembers most. Was it opening some gifts Christmas Eve? Attending church that night then sharing dinner together? A brunch on Christmas Day.  Be sensitive to their most cherished memories and try to incorporate them into your own version. Discuss all the options openly with Mr. Wonderful, and decide on a new tradition where everyone can be involved at one point over the holidays, without taking away their own memories.

One of us has a traditional Christmas Eve open house. It allows family members to share a moment with your family, then continue their own traditions. Our family tradition is church, then we host a Christmas Eve dinner for those children and families in town. It is usually every other year  we are all together for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. And as we are all realizing as the years pass, how quickly those years go!

Another new tradition we share with family close by, is making our celebrated Christmas nut blend together. It is a day long affair with the girls making the nuts, and the boys, hanging lights and watching football games. That way everyone has a good time and there are no Bickerson’s in the crowd, just laughter and the warmth and love the holiday brings just being together.

Hugs,

Elizabeth & Marsha

www.marryinglaterinlife.