Try this
- List the commitments under discussion and identify where travel or timing conflicts.
- Ask which occasions each person wants to attend, including separately. Keep tentative invitations visibly tentative until answered.
A worked example
“Last year we visited both households in one day. This year I would rather choose one visit and leave the other for another date.”
An invented example to adapt, not a real exchange or a script you have to follow.
Before you leave it here
Do not present family expectations as already accepted on the other person’s behalf. Confirm the shared portion of the plan before replying to others.