I’m thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas already.

I know, Halloween hasn’t even come yet. But I’m trying to plan ahead about where we’re going to spend the holidays.

It’s always interesting, trying to figure out how we’re going to incorporate everyone (or as many people as possible) into the festivities, without leaving anyone out, hurting anyone’s feelings, causing emotional discomfort or making our lives miserable with hours and hours of driving, etc.

So, we’ve got the mine, his and ours of the family. Then, there are sub-groups of those categories: We’ve got my mom and Grandma, my sister and her fiance, my niece and cousins … then we’ve got my dad and step-mom and siblings and their children, and other extended family … then we’ve got my husband’s parents and sister and family … then we’ve got close friends who feel like family … The lists go on and on.

Oh, and please don’t forget to throw my daughter’s birthday into the Christmas-time mix, too. Nice work by Mom and Dad, huh?! (Sorry, Babycakes).

So, I’m juggling all of this in my mind right now, and wondering how YOU sort out the holidays with your family.

Do you drive all over the countryside to make it to several places in one day? Do you take turns going places every other year? Or do you just host the event and invite everyone, and expect them to mesh together cordially for just ONE day of the year??? Suggestions will be taken with joy and thanks.