Cooler weather. Peppermint mochas. Hallmark movies. The holidays. For many, it’s wonderful. For others, this time of year can be quite chaotic. The pressure of figuring out what to buy. Making travel arrangements. Deciding which family members to spend the holidays with.

We try—emphasis on “try”—to talk about the upcoming holidays ahead of time. We pray and think through how we can make the most of it as a family. Having little kids can make it a bit more chaotic for us, but it can also make it a lot more precious too.

What #TeamStraub has found out is that, without a plan, it’s too easy to allow the chaos and busyness to rob us from being truly present with those we love most, especially one another.

In this week's episode, we talk through the acronym E.N.J.O.Y.I.N.G., and discuss eight proactive ways we can enjoy the upcoming holiday season as family. Some of the topics we discuss include:

* When and how to say "no"
* How to navigate Christmas gatherings with extended family
* Ways we can be proactive with potentially awkward family interactions
* How to simplify our lives
* Ways to take care of yourself during the holidays

Show Notes:

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