NEW ORLEANS -- Let's be real: the holidays are stressful.

Everywhere you look, there are reminders that the holidays are supposed to be a time for smiling families to gather around a perfectly set table. In these mythical families, the babies never cry, the teenagers never sulk, and the grown-ups never argue about politics. But real-life families are more complicated—and often, much more exasperating and unruly—than that.

In many cases, the holidays bring you together with relatives you don’t often see the rest of the year. Being together again can remind you of how much you love and appreciate your relatives. But it may also stir up old feelings of grief, anxiety, guilt, or resentment.

Meanwhile, you’re all trying to cram a year’s worth of memories into a few days. Plus if you’re married or part of a blended brood, you may be trying to juggle multiple visits with different sides of the family. The result, all too often, is more chaotic than festive.

But things don’t have to be this way. These tips can help you enjoy holidays with your family without feeling drained.

1. Have realistic expectations.

Focus on having a meaningful holiday together rather than a Facebook-ready one. It’s OK if the kids—or the grown-ups—aren’t always on their best behavior. Embrace the imperfections that give your family its unique personality.

2. Be mindful of your feelings.

If you’ll be around people who push your buttons, approach the situation with an attitude of mindfulness. Focus your attention on what’s happening at the moment—not something that happened 10 years ago. Notice and accept any feelings that come up, but try to withhold judgment for now.

3. Start positive conversations.

To head off heated debates, steer the conversation toward topics that family members have in common, such as a shared hobby or an upcoming happy occasion. If the holiday has spiritual or cultural significance for your family, this is a good time to pass on some of the day’s history and meaning to the younger generation.

4. Express your appreciation.

This is also an ideal time to let others know how much you appreciate the support they’ve shown you throughout the year. Research shows that expressing gratitude can lower your own stress level.

5. Share fun family activities.

Your family could take a walk, go ice skating, play a board game, make decorations, visit a children’s museum, or catch a family-friendly show. Make a point of repeating some favorite activities year after year. These kinds of family traditions are the glue that helps bond family members together.

6. Don’t try to do too much.

A little family fun is great, but more is not necessarily better. Young kids can be easily overwhelmed by too many changes and too much excitement. To avert meltdowns, stick with their usual routine for naps and bedtime. To simplify the schedule, consider visiting different branches of the family on different holidays or in alternate years.

7. Sneak in some alone time.

If you start feeling stressed, take a few minutes to walk the family dog, listen to music, read a book, or go for a run. You’ll enjoy your family time more if you step away and decompress when you need to.