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How do you survive a very busy Purim?
Purim is a very interactive holiday and has a number of Mitzvot that need to be observed that intersect with, and are often dependent on, other people's activities and their own fulfillment of the Mitzvot.
What are some helpful strategies, tactics, and plans for keeping it all together and not only fulfilling the obligations but keeping the holiday festive and enjoyable for all involved?
You didn't explain quite what the challenges are, so I'll make some assumptions. Correct me if I am wrong. To some extent, the major challenge to Purim is time-management.
The first thing to help with this is planning. Sit down with your spouse and children if the latter are of an age to be involved in the decision making process. Plan out who is going to megilla reading when (do you and your spouse want to go together or seperately, who will take a car if you share, etc). Plan out when and where you will have your meal. When and where will mincha be said by anyone who wants to say it. I'd say fit in distribution of matanot l'evyonim and mishloach manot around those things. (This may be easier said than done). Planning ahead helps reduce the stress of trying to do too much on the day of Purim itself, or making decisions after one may have begun to imbibe.
The second piece of advice I have is that as in many areas, people go overboard. The meal does not need to take forever or include 12 courses. One does not need to give mishloach manot to every person in the neighborhood. Giving two foods to one person suffices.
I hope this helps.
