Holiday Harmony: Expert Tips for Joyful Celebrations

Laughing Our Way to Peaceful Celebrations

Introduction: Taming the Holiday Circus

Ah, the holidays! I have a LOT of opinions about the holidays- check out What I Love and Hate About the Holidays. This time, I wanted to give preemptive methods to curb the crazy stuff. Let’s stick to knowing that it’s a time for joy, togetherness, and the occasional kid-caused chaos. So, I decided to check out what the pros had to say. We've gathered expert advice from Dr. Laura Markham, Dr. Ross Greene, and Dr. Alan E. Kazdin to help you keep the holiday cheer intact while enjoying a few laughs (and possibly more turkey) along the way.

Holiday messes are unavoidable - buy a more potent vacuum cleaner.

Diwali Delight: Dr. Laura Markham's Wisdom

During Diwali or any festive occasion, it's easy for kids to go wild with firecrackers. Dr. Laura Markham suggests setting clear boundaries with a smile and involving them in safe activities, like lighting diya lamps. (Yes, but do you feel comfortable about asking them to light anything with a match deliberately? - James)

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwaanza and More: Insights from Dr. Ross Greene

When Thanksgiving rolls around, or it’s Hanukkah or Kwaanza and it's time to light the menorah or the kinara, kids can turn into restless little creatures. Dr. Ross Greene advises engaging them with meaningful tasks. Let them decorate the table, share stories about the holiday, and don't forget to add a sprinkle of humor. (Yes, laugh, laugh, laugh. After all, you’ll be cleaning up the mess later. - James)

Last touches to Thanksgiving display. Notice the LED, fireless candle. That’s what I’m talking about!

Crafting Christmas Magic: Dr. Alan E. Kazdin's Advice

The Christmas tree is up, and ornaments are at stake! Dr. Alan E. Kazdin recommends positive reinforcement to keep those prized decorations intact. Create a "Safe Crafting Zone," but make sure to laugh off the occasional glitter explosion (And try to stay positive as you continue to find glitter in the weirdest places all the way through to Mother’s Day - James).

Better to do the cutting on the floor and not once the ornaments are hanging on the tree.

Counting Down to the New Year: Dr. Laura Markham's Tip

As the New Year approaches, kids' routines may face bedtime upheaval. Dr. Laura Markham suggests planning a family-friendly countdown with games and snacks. And don't forget to bring out the party hats and, of course, the laughter! (And having a couple of glasses of champagne will help keep your own levity level high, too - James).

This is a kid-friendly early fireworks display - s.m.a.r.t.!

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Holiday Harmony in a Nutshell: Key Points to Remember

• Set clear boundaries for firecrackers during Diwali and involve kids in safe activities.

• Engage restless children during Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwaanza and other celebrations with meaningful tasks.

• Create a designated crafting area for Christmas ornaments, using positive reinforcement to keep them safe.

• Plan a family-friendly New Year's countdown, allowing kids to celebrate while maintaining their sleep schedule.

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All jabs aside, I think that with these expert tips and a hearty dose of humor, you're well-equipped to enjoy the holiday season while managing your kids’ occasional or endemic antics. So, let the holidays be filled with laughter, love, and, most importantly, food!

Er, I mean, loads of cherished memories! 🎉🤣👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

What I Love and Hate About the Holidays

Everyone has a holiday tradition, a holiday recipe, a holiday story that shapes how they celebrate what we call the Holiday Season. Be it Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’ s (did I forget any?) most of us hold one of these, some of these or all of these close to our heart. (For those of you who do not celebrate any of these I salute you, you probably have a shorter gift list than mine).

To me. the holidays start on Thanksgiving Day.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and also the most problematic.  The issue is inviting people to share my turkey (I know, it could be easier if I didn’t invite no one, however sitting and eating turkey with only the family is kind of boring.) I’m not cheap and I am a sharing person but … 

My favorite part of the turkey are the legs and the wings.   As we know a turkey only has two of each.   So every year, when the guests arrive for Thanksgiving dinner, I make this announcement: “Thank you all for coming. Enjoy the food and wine and everything that I share with you today on this festive day, when we remember our ancestors who came to this country and ripped off the Native Americans. BUT DON’T EAT THE TURKEY LEGS OR THE WINGS. THEY’RE MINE.” Of course, there is always someone asking for a wing or a leg. DON’T PEOPLE LISTEN? It’s my mistake. I should give everyone a printed flyer when they arrive at my house with my rules about the turkey.

So this year, after many years of being kind of an ass about my turkey and people resenting my bad  attitude, I bought two turkeys: a 12 Pound Organic Turkey for the guests and a second 8 Pound Organic Turkey For me. Problem FINALLY solved!  And now I love Thanksgiving all over again.

Then we move to Chanukah - also known as “The Feast of Lights” and “8 days of presents”. (By the way, no, there’s no “proper” way of spelling Chanukah, I happen to use ‘ch”.) Having eight days of presents is great when the kids are younger. You give them a little gift everyday, something little and inexpensive,  and they’re happy.

But I hate when they get older they start expecting better gifts, so I came up with the 1 Gift Rule: I’ll get them something that they really want and that it’s not too expensive. 

Now Aaron, my 8-year-old, wants a Nintendo Switch.  I’m not cheap but they cost over $400 plus you have to buy the games. C’mon, he already has an iPhone and a computer! I told him that if he wants one, he can go out and get a job. He opted for his second-best and so I bought him Pokemon cards, and he was happy.

Now we move on to Christmas.

I grew up without having a Christmas tree. I used to go to friends’ homes and sit by their trees and  listen to Holiday music - and if it snowed it was a bonus. So  5 years ago I decided I would have a tree too. It wasn’t going to be a Christmas tree but a Holiday tree (that’s how the Jewish people rationalize having a tree). We decorate it with lights and baubles and tinsel, and I make sure to always put a Star of David on top.

Then I put presents under the tree about 10 days before December 25 and everyone tries  to guess what’s in the boxes - they’re all empty though, I just like to see nicely wrapped presents under the tree, it looks good. I sit by my fireplace, with the tree lit up, and listen to Holiday music - and if it ever snows on Christmas day here in Las Vegas it will shock the heck out of me but I’m sure I’ll love it. It’s great.

But I hate when Christmas is over and I have clean up the smelly tree and dispose of the crappy wrapping paper. That’s a two day job - I’m methodical, this is the way I work, so I’ll take no rushing from anyone. I say every time “this is the last year I do this” but I know we’ll do it again next year.

And then there’s New Year’s. The dancing, the champagne, the noise, the dogs barking, the neighborhood joker who sets off 200 fireworks at the same time at 2 am…DON’T GET ME STARTED!

Anyway, I hope your holidays are filled with everything you love and very little of what drive you nuts. Pass the wine bottle.