After a divorce, parents typically divvy up the holidays with the kids on an alternating basis from year to year.

But some divorced families manage to all share the holidays together, with big family gatherings including not only exes but ex-inlaws.

While it is undoubtedly challenging to holiday with such a crowd, it does require less advance negotiation, spurs less advance arguing (and court battling) and does give both parents more holiday time with the kids – and the kids more holiday time with both parents.

Of course, this is not appropriate or safe for all divorced families.

But for the parents who can pull it off safely and civilly, it’s a pretty nice outcome for the children.

Read more in this Chicago Tribune article: Some divorced parents celebrate Christmas as a family.