Holiday Family Gatherings Aren’t Always Easy...

Plus, fun things to do over the break...

December 18, 2025

It’s the holidays, friends. A time for joy. But, also a time for complicated family dynamics and gatherings.

We have a lot of family from Michigan and Indiana visiting over the holidays. In fact, our first round of family arrives tomorrow! 

If you’re struggling with family dynamics this holiday season, you’re NOT ALONE. In fact, it’s normal. Family can be our greatest source of happiness and our greatest source of unhappiness. 

I’m with you in that tension, that’s why my podcast this week is about FAMILY. It’s a conversation I had with Harvard Business Professor and Happiness Expert, Arthur Brooks, who has some really fascinating insights into challenging family dynamics, whether or not we should be friends with our family, our deep connections to them and why cutting them out of our lives is akin to sawing off our arm. LISTEN HERE

I’m recalling last Christmas (see photo below)…it wasn’t without our own brand of drama. And yet, little did we know at the time, it would be our last with our mom. PS: It was her birthday this past Sunday. (we miss you so much, mom!)

In other news, you’ll be so proud of me. I finally did it. I scheduled my first therapy appointment! I’ve been talking about finding a therapist to talk about losing mom, plus all the things most of us are navigating when it comes to life, love and loss. I’ll let you know how it goes, but I’m committed to this process! 

As we close out the New Year, I’m leaving you with a few family photos. Caroline is 18, JJ is 16 and Landon is 11. It was an early Christmas Miracle because I actually sent holiday cards this year. However, I failed to order enough. Classic fumble on my part. Happy Holidays, friends!

PS: Stay tuned because I have some really exciting news to share in the near future, plus John and I will be doing our connectivity challenge once again, beginning January, and I’d love for you to join. 

Happy Holidays, friends! 

-Paula xo

FARIS FAVORITES 🤎

1. The BEST Family Holiday Games

We’ll be playing family games over the holidays. And lucky for you I have kept track of some of the best ones to partake in! From the unraveling game, to merry christmas , a game that only requires a solo cup, and a best of montage , here are 8 games to play with your family.

2. Still One Of Our Favorites!

Sequence will always be one of our favorite board games as a family, so why not order the GIANT SIZED SEQUENCE BOARD? It never disappoints. And, if you have old eyes like me, it’s easier to see.

3. Binge-Worthy Movies for Break!

When you need a break from the family games, hunker down and watch Champagne Problems (Netflix), The Holiday (a forever classic), or binge watch a feel-good show like Jury Duty (Apple TV). Also, if you have Swiftie’s, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show premiered last week! 

THE PAULA FARIS SHOW 🎙️

Ask Us Anything, Pts 1 & 2: Parenting Fails, Holiday Chaos and Life After TV

John and I tackle your questions about the messy world of parenting, surviving the holidays, and what life really looks like after stepping away from TV, plus Marriage, Michigan and GLP-1’s in our Ask Us Anything episodes.

We get into all of it — how we handled (and mishandled) the sex talk with our kids, why the teenage years nearly broke us (and what ultimately helped), and the backwards parenting advice we wish we could give our 30-year-old selves. We also talk holiday traditions and how unprepared we actually are every December.

It’s very us — flannels, real talk, and all.

Holiday Survival Guide: Why Family Is Hard… and Still Matters

As we head into the season of gathering, giving… and gritting our teeth at the dinner table, we’re revisiting one of my most popular conversations — with Harvard happiness expert, Professor Arthur Brooks. The research is clear: the happiest people in the world have one thing in common — strong family connections.

But what if your family drives you nuts? What if the group chat is a minefield and you’re already bracing yourself for Aunt Marge’s political monologue?

If you’re heading into this season with mixed emotions, this one will help you navigate the tension.

Join the Conversation!

If you’ve made it this far, I invite you to join (or start) the conversation in our comments section. What would you like to share? -Paula

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