It may be some families have the best times together, gathering for holidays like Thanksgiving with little stress and great joy. Terrific!
If however you experience the holidays with anticipation of a less than perfect event, with some sense of the stress involved and oh, yes, how to talk with that difficult relative, these simple steps may help you through the day.
If the holiday gathering is to take place at your place, try to arrange an easier schedule for yourself a few days before. That way you can look around and decide what has to happen before your guests arrive (definitely cleaning the front hallway) and what can wait ( leave behind the fridge for another day.)
Then do those tasks and some of the food prep the day before. Invite family members to help: those within your home to help prep the house and the food, and those who are to arrive by bringing food items. Delegate as much as possible!
On the day itself, make sure you eat. Eat breakfast, or a brunch which includes protein. Your body needs some grounding to help you stay focussed.
Second, if the event is at your home, make sure you have protein snacks available as soon as people come in: cheeses, meats, humus with whole wheat crackers or spelt pita bread, served with raw vegies.
These kinds of snacks avoid the sugar and carbohydrate overload of chips or candy.
Next, pace yourself. Take a few deep long breaths every hour. If you can, plan a few minutes retreat in the bedroom, or a quiet place to gather yourself especially if you know you must speak with the one relative who sets your teeth on edge. A few minutes by yourself will help you remember this is a fleeting event, and one you have been through many times.
Allow yourself to be human; some of the day may be difficult, but focus on the joy of the younger members, the look on the faces of people as they come through your door.Take a few minutes prior to arrival to recall past events from the focus of the warmth and spirit of gathering to give thanks.
Make sure everyone gives thanks. The moment of gratitude reminds us amidst all the hurry and frenzy of our lives how much we have to be thankful for.