Holidays and travel go hand in hand. After all, it’s a special time to gather with family members between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, plus the kids have school vacation, so there’s plenty of time to snuggle up with Grandma around the hearth, or see the sights on a much-anticipated winter trip.

Of course, when you’re traveling with extended family – or you just have a big family yourself – different personalities can clash, it might be tough to get everyone organized and out the door, and late bedtimes can cause meltdowns (for kids and parents).

Here are a few tips for keeping your holidays stress-free when you’re traveling with large families this season.

Keep It Simple: It’s natural to want to “do it all” on a holiday vacation, but sometimes the simplest pleasures – just being with extended family – is a joy in itself. Sure, you might want to hit all of the theme parks in Orlando or spend from sun-up to sun-down sightseeing in New York, but you might enjoy a smoother, stress-free vacation if you prioritize your vacation “to-do list” and allow for plenty of down time, too.

Split Up, As Needed: Everyone on your trip doesn’t have to be doing everything at the same time with one another. For example, you can take your daughter shopping, while your husband and son hit the biking trails… everyone’s happy! Maybe Grandma, Grandpa and the older cousins would like to go to the beach, while the younger kids would be thrilled to spend time at the aquarium. Same goes for dinner reservations – it’s a lot easier to seat and serve a table of four to six, than a table of 14 to 16. Split up your large group among different eateries, then compare notes!

Book Accommodations Breakfast Provided: I love being able to wake up in the morning on vacation and not have to worry about where I’m going to get the family’s first meal. It’s so easy to walk down to the lobby and enjoy fresh breakfast offerings! When traveling with a large family, included breakfast buffets also allow for picky palates – there’s something for everyone! And when you’re on a trip with multiple families, this is a nice way to gather in a leisurely way in the morning before you start your day of activities.

Book a Property with Kitchen Facilities: Even if you don’t plan on cooking extensive meals while on vacation, it’s nice to have a full refrigerator and microwave to store drinks and make late-night snacks. Hotel suites or condos with kitchens also provide a dining or sitting area for gathering with extended family – for playing board games or just sharing stories.