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Minimum Drama, Maximum Joy During the Holidays
This post is sponsored by Chevrolet Traverse.
The holidays are quickly approaching, and for my family that means we spend a lot of time in our vehicles. We are kind of spread over the city, and we travel out of state as well. We do this so we can see all of our favorite relatives.
However, this much travel can definitely be stressful as well as fun. To help minimize the stress and drama this holiday season and to bring you maximum joy, we have come up with a few tips:
1. ALLOW EXTRA TIME.
You never know how much traffic there will be or if stops will be needed during your travels. Giving yourself and your family extra time means everyone will not be as stressed.
2. HAVE BACKUP GIFTS.
Have you ever forgotten a gift or just not gotten one for someone? This has happened to me on more than one occasion. Now I keep a few extra gifts lying
around—they are even wrapped. There is a Post-it note on each gift so I know what it is in it. I have used these gifts every time.
3. KEEP SNACKS AROUND
Long car trips or getting caught in traffic can be very stressful. I always keep snacks on hand, which means no cranky kids or husband when we get to where we are going.
4. EXPECT THAT THINGS WILL GO WRONG.
I just assume something will happen that I am not prepared for, so when it does happen, I can figure out a way to fix things. This is definitely helpful during the holidays.
5. LET IT GO
Mother-in-law give you the same sweater every year? One of the gifts already broken? Let it go. This is the time of year to spend time with your family, and the rest really doesn’t matter.
ABOUT THE CHEVY TRAVERSE
The 2016 Chevy Traverse, a midsize SUV, is a great family vehicle, offering space, technology and style. It offers seating for up to eight1and has best-in-class maximum cargo space. With safety features that include an available industry-first Front Center Air Bag2, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Departure Warning, it's no wonder the 2016 Traverse has a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for Safety3.
We especially love the available 4G LTE Wi-Fi®4 feature, which allows you to seamlessly connect up to seven devices.
With spacious seating, ample cargo space, and available safety and entertainment technologies, there’s no better vehicle to bring the family together than the Chevrolet Traverse.
1 Standard on LS and 1LT. Available on 2LT. LTZ seats 7. Not available in Ebony/Saddle Up interior color.
2 Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.
3 Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).
4 Requires a compatible mobile device, active OnStar service and data plan. 4G LTE service available in select markets. Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details and system limitations.
I had a Traverse for a week last year and loved it. They are totally out of my price range otherwise I would get one 🙂
These are great tips for holiday travel. I’m thankful we get to stay home with the kids and have family come to us.
We are in the car a lot anyway, but it would go a lot more pleasantly if I followed these tips! I totally forget about snacks all the time.
These are excellent tips for avoiding holiday drama. The Chevy Traverse sounds like a great vehicle. Maybe I’ll be able to afford one for my next vehicle?
A young lady plowed me over when she ran a red light (totaled both of our cars) so I’m in the market for a new vehicle. I’ll give this one a test run when I’m brave enough to get behind the wheel again. I seem to be having a few issues with that at the moment.
Your point about having extra gifts for unexpected guests or for people you’ve forgotten is great! I need to start doing that.
Great tips to avoiding drama during the holiday. I always have extra meals and gifts 🙂
These are all great ideas to cut down on holiday stress!! And yes on backup gifts!! I can’t tell you how many times I have lost a gift or found out last minute I needed an extra!!
There’s definitely a lot of pressure during the holidays especially if you’re the host of most of the reunions and parties! There’s always something that’s bound to go wrong. This list sure helps, especially the last part about letting go.
Love your tips about letting it go…I know I need to do that a lot more often! Thanks so much for sharing!!
These are great tips to minimize drama and maximize joy for the holidays. It is always good to have an extra spare gift or gits on hand just in case. Thanks for sharing the tips.
The Holidays can be a stressful time. It is important to try to let it go and enjoy the time with your friends and family. I try to do as much prep as i can ahead of time.
Great tips that could apply to those travelling or just spending extra time with the family! We have a tradition of staying at my mom’s starting Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas Day night and that is a long time to mix four different families. I constantly practice remaining calm, going with the flow, and I am still working on letting it go. Next time we travel, shortly after the new year, I will keep these ideas in mind AND through the holiday season locally as well!
Cannot agree enough with bringing snacks. Even if you’re on the way to a dinner the kids will want something.
I keep a few extra gifts too, just in case. More often than not they come in handy!
This is excellent advice. I think the let it go part is the most important. You can always exchange unwanted gifts or give it away. You have to give the person credit for trying to get you a gift that you like.
This is a really great list. I have done that before, thinking I have gifts for everyone but actually forgot someone.
Great tips to lessen the stress in travelling this holiday season! Wishing everyone safe travels this coming Holidays!
These are some really great ideas for making the most out of the holidays. Thanks so much for sharing.