Dividing the Holidays Between Families: How to Make It Work

The holidays are supposed to be full of joy and celebration, but sometimes, the logistics of planning visits and family time can feel like a full-time job! Between traveling to see in-laws or extended family, buying gifts, balancing your job, and maintaining your own traditions, things can get stressful.

Whether you and your partner are newly married, in a long-term relationship, or have large families with strong traditions, these tips can help you find balance while still enjoying quality time with your loved ones.

1. Communicate and Set Expectations Early

With your partner

Have an open discussion with your partner as soon as possible. Share your priorities for the holiday season and find out theirs. Being on the same page from the beginning can make it easier when it comes time to plan with more extended family!

If you have limited time off or a tight travel budget, you may wonder how to decide which family to spend the holidays with. There’s no right or wrong answer, but having an open conversation with your partner and your respective families can help you decide.

With your family

Once you and your partner have decided where you want to travel and who you want to see, communicate your desires with the relevant family members. It can be helpful to talk to the family members who typically take on the planning roles to ensure you agree.

2. Plan Ahead

When you’re balancing multiple family visits, planning is critical to reducing stress and maximizing time with each group. A few ways to do this include:

• Make a shared calendar with your partner to reduce accidental conflicts and overbooking
• Book flights and travel as early as possible for better deals and fewer tasks once the holidays start
• Purchase gifts ahead of time so you aren’t rushing to find items
• Make time off requests at work ASAP
• Plan pet sitters and babysitters as early as you can – and have a backup plan
• Block off downtime for your family so that you can simply relax and be at home with each other
• Decorate your space early so you don’t have to worry about it later

By performing these “administrative” tasks before the holidays kick off, you can spend more time with friends and family instead of in lines, fighting crowds, and stressing about details.

3. Embrace Compromise: How to Split Holidays Between Families

Unfortunately, unless you and your partner’s families live close to each other, you’ll likely have to compromise in one way or another. There are a few different options for how to split holidays when married or in a long-term relationship.

Alternate holidays

One example could be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with your partner’s family this year and then switching the following year. If your families come from different cultural backgrounds, consider prioritizing the holidays that are most important to your respective families as a way to split time.

Split days

If your families live close to each other, consider splitting days. One example is to spend Christmas Eve with your family and Christmas morning with theirs, or spend Christmas morning with your family and then go to your family gathering after lunchtime.

Try flexible times

If your family or your partner’s family is more relaxed about when you see them, consider having a late holiday the following week or even after the first of the year when life calms down a bit. The important part is spending time together!

4. Create New Traditions

You can honor family traditions while still creating your own traditions as a couple. If travel feels overwhelming, consider hosting a family gathering yourself! Hosting allows you to show off your space to family who may not have visited before and welcome friends who don’t have family nearby to spend time with.

Don’t have the furniture you need to host this year’s holidays? Visit your local Rent-A-Center for everything you need to host:

• A new TV to enjoy the game or family-favorite holiday movies
• A comfortable sectional so everyone gets a seat
• A dining room set so you can gather around the table
• New kitchen appliances for cooking up a delicious meal
• Bedroom sets so your guests have a cozy place to sleep

With Rent-A-Center, you can find the furniture, appliances, and electronics you need to host a great family holiday event.

5. Be Mindful of Family Needs

Perhaps your partner’s grandmother doesn’t want to travel this year, or your great-uncle lives in another country. Some family members may need more flexibility due to travel difficulties, health concerns, or personal preferences. It may help to prioritize those family members when making your plans.

If you can’t see everyone you’d like to during the holiday season, consider booking a separate trip to spend time with them after the holidays. At the very least, schedule a video call with the family so they can be included in the celebrations.

6. Be Mindful of Your Own Needs

The holidays can quickly become stressful between buying gifts, traveling, work, countless parties, and family celebrations. Be sure to take some time to relax and recharge yourself so that you have plenty of energy to get through the season and be present.

Find time to keep up with your exercise routine, take a few moments for some mindfulness in the morning, or pack your favorite book so you can steal away some alone time. And don’t forget to schedule quality time with just your immediate family, whatever that means to you – whether it’s just you and your partner, your kids, your furry friends, or someone else!

Turn to Rent-A-Center for Your Holiday Furniture Needs

Dividing the holidays between families doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With open communication, clear expectations, and a willingness to compromise, you and your partner can create a holiday plan that works for everyone. And remember—whether you’re visiting family or hosting your own celebration, Rent-A-Center is here to help you create a space that’s perfect for making holiday memories! From rent-to-own living room furniture and kitchen appliances to dining room sets for hosting in your own space, your local Rent-A-Center has you covered.