22 NORTH BAY WOMAN | F A L L 2 0 1 8
T H E U L T I M A T E W I S H T H E U L T I M A T E W I S H
Stress free holidays
By Crissi and Shawn Langwell
hen we fi rst
blended our
families, we not
only increased
in numbers; we
also combined our many family
traditions. In some ways, this in-
troduced wonderful, new things
for us to experience together.
But this also fostered opportuni-
ties for stress as we clung to our
rituals. This is especially true for the
holidays.
Our fi rst year together, we worried
about getting the right amount of gifts
for each child so that no one felt left
out. When it seemed lopsided with
one kid, we'd overbuy for the others
until it felt right. By Christmas morn-
ing, our living room was overwhelmed
with presents. The week had been
packed with last-minute shopping and
wrapping, family dinners, and several
traditional events like caroling and
W
5 Tips:
Blended families offer opportunities
to combine traditions this season
