tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post1675124655415626675..comments2023-03-16T06:56:24.153-04:00Comments on Liana's Place -- A blog about Life, Lies, Laughter and Love: Tips for Successful Family GatheringsLiana Laverentzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17541637851147603199noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-48675972260829548922011-01-07T14:16:43.749-05:002011-01-07T14:16:43.749-05:00Great tips and post, Liana!
Our holidays were wo...Great tips and post, Liana! <br /><br />Our holidays were wonderful except for waiting until 9:30 on Christmas Eve to eat dinner. LOL I always had Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner for our kids and other relatives. But this time, my son and daughter-in-law wanted to host Christmas Eve dinner after church. We had delicious appetizers while the dinner was delayed due to the lateness of our daughter-in-law's relatives. LOL <br /><br /><br />Christmas Day was nice except some of our kids had to leave earlier than I thought they would to go to other places. <br /><br />When our children were small, holidays were rough with trying to make both sides of the family happy. We did a road trip to my parents which was 3 hrs. away and tried to celebrate with both sides for Christmas. We'd hurry have our Christmas in the morning, rush to husband's side for noon, then hop in car to go to my side. It was insane. We stopped and made changes after a few years of this.Diane Craverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543155150824715253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-83236459081024694022011-01-06T06:10:44.421-05:002011-01-06T06:10:44.421-05:00Do you know, when I saw the title of this blog, I ...Do you know, when I saw the title of this blog, I immediately thought, ‘smile’. It does wonders to put people at their ease. It also gives the guest or family member who is carrying some historical angst or grudge to reflect and perhaps realise how grumpy and ungrateful they will look if they sit and scowl, bemoaning their supposedly sad lot, and end up spoiling it for everyone--mostly the host or hostess.<br /><br />I was uber-proud of myself this year. I might have read your blog before Christmas, Liana, because I was beautifully calm, pushing all negative thoughts to the background. I allowed myself some emotional reflection--whist walking my dogs and getting my aims and thoughts in order--as, like Maggie, I have lost people around Christmas. The loss of my brother was a particularly painful one. And then, I got on with the task of not allowing myself to be upset or engage in other people’s problems, ergo making Christmas (three events in all--the main one for which I catered AND organised games, etc, etc) as lovely as it could be for everyone. Yes, I enjoyed this Christmas. Excellent advice, Liana!Sheryl Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00921522478513543769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-18853904124305569542011-01-05T22:09:45.471-05:002011-01-05T22:09:45.471-05:00Hi Liana,
Great blog and some very sound advice fo...Hi Liana,<br />Great blog and some very sound advice for getting on with difficult relatives.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />MargaretMargaret Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07123830410502520003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-18226909162768915122011-01-05T20:35:39.944-05:002011-01-05T20:35:39.944-05:00Great post. You are right about the insidious adv...Great post. You are right about the insidious advertising. I taught my kids years ago that the purpose of commercials is to get you to want something you don't need, to make someone else rich off of your money. Everyone's family is dysfunctional to some extent. Enjoy the people you are related to, even though it was not by choice. Then skedaddle to be with your friends, the ones you chose!Fiona McGierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495707848048468428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-561798148042617322011-01-05T20:03:32.377-05:002011-01-05T20:03:32.377-05:00I especially love the too-high expectations tip.
...I especially love the too-high expectations tip.<br /><br />I have to say, though, that engaging in active conversations with family and listening to that as you grow can help you see that differing opinions doesn't have to mean personal separations. Sometimes that happens in families, I realize, but I learned a heck of a lot about developing thick skin and brushing off opposing points of view just from our varied family discussions at get-togethers.<br /><br />There is something to be said for it. I can love my relatives without agreeing with them. That extended well into outside life.LK Hunsakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10706929624587891992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-3413569404886359192011-01-05T15:38:52.260-05:002011-01-05T15:38:52.260-05:00Liana,
Awesome tips. Let's just say I've l...Liana,<br />Awesome tips. Let's just say I've learned by trial & error how to successfully navigate my husband's famil (the maternal side) but it wasn't easy. Once I ACCEPTED the fact they were not in any way interested in me or the person I am, then family gatherings got much easier. Now I watch my kids, watch the football games or whatever sports game is on and generally don't talk much because no one wants to talk to me.<br /><br />I joke with my friends - they don't like me because I'm alien - from New Hamphsire! LOL!!<br /><br />Smiles<br />StephStephanie Burkhart https://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-81692668612131699282011-01-05T13:45:20.044-05:002011-01-05T13:45:20.044-05:00Great post and most appropriate tips. I've fo...Great post and most appropriate tips. I've found that most stress is price-related, so cutting the number of gifts we give has helped tremendously. In fact, this year, instead of spending money on things people really didn't need...or probably appreciate, we adopted a couple of friends who are going through very tough times. Hubby and I paid their electric bill, bought them a tank of gas, and I even got to go doll shopping for the first time ever, so my friend would have a gift for her little nieces who she cherishes. I can't tell you what a rewarding feeling that brought to both my husband and me.<br /><br />A couple of years ago, my siblings pooled their money and went to the Dollar Store and created gift bags for the homeless. On Christmas day they visited places where the homeless hung out, and distributed over a dozen bags. My sister said the look on the faces of the recipients was worth more than any amount of money she and the others spent.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683064637626718318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-39358081431734840662011-01-05T13:05:18.974-05:002011-01-05T13:05:18.974-05:00LIANA--I love the title of that book. I think I ne...LIANA--I love the title of that book. I think I need to buy it, because the only family I have left are two sisters who don't like me anymore--notice I didn't say "love," for I think they probably do. It's just that they can't get over little tiffs from decades ago. Bah.<br /><br />When my parents were young and Daddy was still alive, all of us had young children, and we all gathered at their house sometimes during the holidays, and for the most part, had fun. But those days are gone.<br />We don't travel at Thanksgiving or Christmas and neither do our kids in Michigan. But we're up there at Halloween, and it's almost like Christmas because we take gifts, we take the boys shopping, and we all have a good time.<br />We spend one day with our daughter and her husband, but she only has grown step-children who are never around. So it's just the four of us and two dogs. You know? We enjoy ourselves very much.<br />Your post is timely and might give someone food for thought.<br />Thanks--well done--CeliaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-9680200903649800482011-01-05T12:20:22.459-05:002011-01-05T12:20:22.459-05:00Liana,
Your tips are interesting not only for Chr...Liana,<br /><br />Your tips are interesting not only for Christmas gatherings but in general. I love family gatherings and don'tmind working and cooking for weeks before the family arrives. I conditioned myself that the gathering is for my guests to have fun, eat well and share each other's comapny. My biggest joy is to see the little ones playing together and then everyone telling me, I wish I could stay longer. I had a wonderful Christmas this year in spite of the lousy weather, my daughter falling and fracturing a rib and a sick grandchild. But the general mood was relaxed and happy. My guests stayed for ten days.Mona Riskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923883333893160794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773882436450318586.post-55917062391476184142011-01-05T11:13:31.618-05:002011-01-05T11:13:31.618-05:00Hey Liana,
Winter holidays are a double-edged swo...Hey Liana,<br /><br />Winter holidays are a double-edged sword. We all want that peace and joy, but we often end up with harried schedules, caustic interactions, and failed expectations.<br /><br />I've struggled with being happy at Christmas for years. I don't know if it's because of my parents dying near Christmas or if it is a lingering vestige of a disastrous Christmas from my childhood. You'd think I would not be affected, but I am.<br /><br />For me, the route to peace was to lower my expectations. So I don't decorate as much or make six dozen batches of cookies or write as many cards or get the perfect gift for loved ones - in the scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. I focus on the time I have to spend with others. I enjoy not rushing around and I find opportunities to help others.<br /><br />Great post!<br /><br />MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.com