Show How to survive holiday family gatherings All your brothers sisters nieces nephews parents and grandparents are together in one place Although there is some joking teasing and light banter conversation is nonexistent Sound like a familiar scene from your last family gathering? “Even though families are tied together by special bonds when the group only gets together for holidays and special occasions there can be a great deal of tension” says Dr Jean Edmondson family and human Extension specialist at development Utah State University Edmondson says this leads to a lot of surface behavior without much depth She suggests several activities that might help ease the tension at your next family gathering Express interest in others Ask relatives about recent hobbies or their job Much of the initial awkwardness is a result of knowing little about your relatives If you initiate the contact they will feel that you care about them and are interested in each of them 2 Join in a joint project Some researchers have found that housework serves as a “carrier” activicommunication ty while important among family members takes place discussions take Many meaningful place over dishes dusting or garden weeding 3 Make a gift together You might have each of the siblings bring pictures of themselves and their families Build a montage of these pictures as a pre' sent for Mom and Dad 4 Play games together The old that “families that adage play together stay together” has its merits Games that involve many people of various ages may work better than games of skill and competition 5 Reminisce about family history Each family has its own memories and histories Even children like to remember when they were younger Starting conversations that begin with “remember when” or “do you still like to” will help build bridges between family members Reminiscing can also give insights into how your family functions “With all the chaos and stresses volved in going home for the holidays it’s an added bonus to feel comfortable and relaxed with relatives” Edmondson says “Any methods you can use to learn more about each other talk over special memories or engage in projects will help ease some of the awkward moments and make your holidays even more enjoyable than SPECIAL CHRISTMAS it MILLARD COUNTY CHRONICLE PROGRESS THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 rrs 1984 - Dear Santa Clan being me a care bear for me and a nice duck forme too And a dolly named jelly beans she makes 10 talks but no battiers and a pony that has no name jest a pony That is pink can you being my toys Well I hope Chrismas a nice you have Love Julie Mitchell See you next year Santa Dear Santa I would like candy in my stock and toys & GI Joe toys Love Dear Santa Clause My name is Melissa and I am 6 years old I have been a good gial and I help tend my baby brother Mitch For Christmas I would like a pink rose petal doll Barbie Bed Barbie Car a pair of roller skates I took food to my school for the poor children I hope you will take some toys to them too Dear Santa want I can’t wait in tell Christmas bars and a cooking gymnastics microwave and a Girl Cabbage Patch want some rocky mountain Jeans and Cabbage Patch ear phones and a traper keeper Your nice Thank you Love Sonya My brother Mike is 12 years old and Le would like a stereo Mitch is 18 My baby brother months old and he would like a plastic tool set My mom is making a quilt and I am helping her Thank you My Aunt Elva took me to the Nutcracker Ballet and this is a picture of the Bafoon Lady llovU Melissa Bartholomew Dusty Dear Santa I have been a very good boy this year Please bring me a gun construx (Biggest set) transformers Remote control car or a sparrow trap Thank you Todd Wood Holden Utah 84636 Dear Santa I want a transformer for Christmas and a remote control airplane I have been a good boy! Love Chris Kelly usual” Dear Santa I’ve Been a very good girl This year and I think my little sister has Been tool Santa She’s a little Bit silly at times like cleaning out all of the bottom cup Boards and sitting in the POTs and pans but if you bring her a whole lot of toys like a Barbie and some big puzzles (so she won’t swallow them) She’ll leave the pots alone and give me some peace and I Want crystal barbie and some games and clothes and and a computer I can make with my some stuff hands (and some little handcuffs) Love Jill Levi Erica 8 and Rhonda l'j ' Dec 17 1984 Dear Santa I have been trying to be a good girl My mom remides me not to pout or cry am 3 years old have been worried that you might not be able to find me this We have moved from Christmas Kanosh to Fillmore to a new house Patch I would like a “Cabbage Power Cycle” for Christmas to take in ride a for Kid Patch my Cabbage EDITION USPS Dear Santa Please bring me a bow and arrow and binoculars car baseball bat collection roller skates go bots or transformers I have been a very good boy this At this holy lime we extend the blestingt Sc teuton to you and yourt May the peace oj Christ abide within every heart of Michael D Rose Insurance Agency year Thank you Wood Utah TJ Holden 343 West Main Delta Thank you r Love Maurie Christensen May we wish you and yours a joyous Holiday Season and a Healthy Happy New Year From all the Staff at FILLMORE HOSPITAL SSMSS9$BSB8SS8S8SSSigSgSS8SSSSSSSSSSS8SSSS8SS8SSS898BSiSSSSSS8SSS We want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from the Intermountain Power Project & its 4250 Employees m fi |