Even if you find it stressful to connect with family during the holidays, it’s important to make the effort. Here are the three main reasons why.

The holidays are a time when most people get together with their community to celebrate the season and all its warm tidings. Reuniting with family near and far is particularly popular during this time. Now, not everyone is thrilled at the prospect of spending extended time with their family.

However, unless seeing your family is a risk to your safety, it’s important to connect with them during the holidays. Here are three reasons why that’s the case.

Maintains Meaningful Relationships

Life’s demands often make it challenging to stay connected with our loved ones, but the holidays offer an opportunity to regroup and connect on a deeper level. People already expect and are prepared to travel to visit loved ones during this time, so suggesting a get-together is easier than ever.

So even if you don’t get to see your great aunt Clara for 360 days out of the year, you can keep her in your life and maintain the relationship during the holidays.

Provides Fun Memories

Creating fun memories is another fabulous reason to reunite with family during the holiday season. If you know how to throw a great family get-together, you and your extended crew will be laughing away the days and growing closer with each smile. This also contributes to strengthening your family relationships and gives everyone something to look forward to for the next year.

Upholds Traditions

Seeing family around the holidays upholds traditions that hold sentimental value for many of us. Whether it’s decorating the Christmas tree together, baking Grandma’s famous pie, or enjoying a simple holiday movie marathon, these traditions help root our sense of identity. Celebrations that you enjoy with family year after year create a rhythm that is both comforting and fulfilling.

Ultimately, seeing family during the holidays is important for many reasons, from maintaining relationships to upholding traditions. Even if you don’t consider yourself super close with your family, you can take advantage of the season to pursue deeper connections with these valuable relationships.

Talk About It:
  1. What are some traditions you can uphold with your family during the holidays?
  2. How can you manage the stress that can come with holiday family gatherings?
  3. In what ways can creating fun memories during the holidays improve family relationships?
  4. How do holiday traditions influence your sense of identity?
  5. What strategies can you employ to help maintain meaningful relationships with family throughout the year, not just during the holidays?