Ah, the joys of the holiday season!  The smell of fresh-baked gingerbread cookies, the cheerful sounds of Christmas carols as we shop, the happiness on the faces of children opening presents, the warm familiarity of loved traditions… there is much to look forward to this time of year.

But oh, the stresses of the holiday season!  The crowded stores and packed parking lots, the pressure to buy the perfect gift without blowing the budget, the rush to get ready and head out the door to yet another Christmas event, the arguments with the ex about who gets the kids, the frustrations of hanging out with family members who know just how to push our buttons, the bickering of the kids over who gets to play with the new toys first… there is much to dread about this time of year!

How can we better prepare for the holiday season so that we minimize the stresses and increase the joys?  How can we create a more meaningful Christmas season that helps bring our family together?

My husband and I have found that one of the keys to a less-stressful holiday season is to clarify our expectations ahead of time.