Most certainly, winter holidays are special, longed-for good times for children, parents, and close friends. Unfortunately, holidays can also be difficult because of the deep belief that families who try to get along should be able to get along quite harmoniously. The time, money, and emotions that are invested, along with special gifts that are given and received from close family and friends, can make for an exciting, or sometimes, disappointing, holiday.

A well-planned holiday event can remain a cherished memory to hold onto for many years. But when chaos and gossip rule the event, memories rooted in resentment can be hard to discard. Because of the natural and unique focus on competition and comparison in twin families, an extra layer of stress is inevitable. A joyfully anticipated celebration can become a challenging experience for some guests who were invited to this potentially nerve-racking experience. The observations and suggestions that follow are taken from my professional and personal experiences and talking to friends and relatives about their winter holidays.

Gifts, good food, and playful interactions with children make the holidays special, and adults enjoy seeing relatives and friends who live out of town.........

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