Maranda takes Where You Live to an interior designer to get the best simple tricks to add a little sparkle to your home.

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Thanksgiving week is upon is—many travel plans, feasts to savor, some time off from work to enjoy—these are all good things! I am wondering what comes up for you when you think about spending time with family this Thanksgiving—happiness and excitement? Anxiety and dread? Somewhere in between? For many, spending time with family brings to the surface the realities of the challenges relationships can face. I know that this isn’t the most joyous subject to talk about as we are approaching a holiday where we give thanks and express our gratitude. However, it is the truth for a lot of people: relationships can be hard and tight quarters and lots of family members in one space can magnify some of the difficulties.

So, here are some tips of encouragement for you as you enter this week with your family members who might be challenging to spend time around…

• Recognize what is within your control: YOU! Reminding yourself of what is in and out of your control is important so you don’t expend all of your energy trying to change someone else’s behavior. If you are frustrated, take some space. If you are irritated that you are providing a full turkey dinner for a party of 20, request that others each bring a dish. Realizing what you are in control of empowers you and helps you spend your energy in the most useful way.

• Put some structure into all the downtime. What are your plans after the big dinner? For some families, this is time to sit around for many hours, and is often when irritations with each other can surface. Maybe difficult topics of conversation happen or a family member’s habits or patterns begin to take over the time together. Putting a simple structure in place can keep things moving and reduce frustrations that can happen with idle space. For example: after the big dinner, taking a walk together, playing group games or board games, or watching a movie can be ways to engage time well.

• Realize that all emotions are fair game. As people, we experience a broad range of emotions and just because we are getting together with family does not mean we can temporarily get rid of the uncomfortable ones. Going into time with family realizing that you are probably going to experience some negative emotions helps you be prepared and also can help you in having a game plan with how you’ll respond to these emotions. For example, instead of having a full conversation about the political differences between you and your uncle, perhaps you recognize when anxiety about this is surfacing and choose to politely excuse yourself from the conversation. Awareness of your emotions and owning your own responses to these emotions is one of the keys to healthier more satisfying relationships.

For more information on behavioral health issues, or to seek assistance, go to http://www.pinerest.org

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Happy 2011! By now the holiday celebrations and travels are finished, gifts have been opened, and food (perhaps way too much!) has been eaten. I’m sure many of you have thought about some personal goals for 2011; maybe there are specific things you want to change in your life, new hobbies you want to cultivate, skills you want to learn or a relationship you want to improve. The tradition of setting New Years resolutions has been around for a long time and is commonplace in our culture. The beginning of a new year is such a ripe time to make some positive changes. But, from my experience and maybe yours as well, resolutions are not often achieved.

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Looking for something to do with the kids during Winter Break?  Here are some fun family events taking place over the next two weeks.

Christmas & Holiday Traditions Around the World
Now through Sunday, January 9
Frederik Meijer Gardens – Grand Rapids
www.meijergardens.org
See over 40 international trees, 300,000 lights, strolling carolers and a holiday express train exhibit.

Snowflake Break Days
Now through Sunday, January 2
Public Museum of Grand Rapids
www.grmuseum.org
A special buy-one-get-one admission ticket continues through next weekend.  Enjoy discounted rates, free carousel rides, free crafts and fun activities.

Tubing at Pando
Now through Sunday, January 1
Pando Winter Sports Park – Rockford
www.pandopark.com
The park is open from 10am-10pm over Winter Break for tubing.

Cirque De Noel
Thursday, December 23 at 7:30pm
DeVos Performance Hall – Grand Rapids
www.grsymphony.org
The Grand Rapids Symphony performs holiday classics along with acrobats, jugglers and aerialists.

Night at Your Museum
Monday, December 27 from 6-9pm
Public Museum of Grand Rapids
www.grmuseum.org
Characters will come to life on all three floors of the museum.  Kids will get a flashlight and have the evening to explore!  Cost is $20 per person and includes dinner.

½ Off Kroc Center Day Passes
Monday, December 27 through Thursday, December 30
Salvation Army Kroc Center – Grand Rapids
http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/grandrapidskroc
Kids get in for $2.50 and adults for $3.50 for full use of the facility.

Learn to Luge
Monday, December 27 through Thursday, December 30
Muskegon Winter Sports Complex
www.msports.org
Have you ever wanted to learn to luge?  Now is your chance.  Classes are held at Noon and 3:30pm.  While you’re there you can also ice skate or check out the sledding hills.

Read all »

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The Gerald R. Ford Museum has a cool exhibit this Christmas.  Over 20 Christmas trees are on display all decorated by local community organizations.

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One of the community trees on display at the Gerald R. Ford Museum is decorated by the John Ball Zoo Society. Check out the tree and see how you can help support the zoo this holiday.

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Santa recently made a stop at Century Park Learning Center in Grandville to visit a special group of children.

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Recently Meijer held a special holiday shopping event!  Maranda stopped by with the Maranda Cam to get some yummy recipes and talk to shoppers.

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Shari Steinbach visited a class at Ridge Park Charter Academy to show how holiday treats can be tasty and healthy!

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With the shopping, parties and family gathering, the holiday season can be overwhelming.  Our friends from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services have some great advice on not stressing out this year.

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