Christmas Ideas!!

[Guest guest]

Ive noticed that a lot of the posts I read currently are mentioning the

increased nervousness about dealing with upcoming Christmas familt

get-togethers, and what to do over the holiday period to avoid the dramas that

inevitably happen.

So, I figured Id start a topic where we can share ideas about what to do over

Christmas so we all have some wonderful things to plan and look forward to, to

overshadow the " OMG its 20-30-40 years of horrid Christmas jitters all over

again " . Sound good?

Here is Aus, it will be another stinking hot, BBQing, shrimp-on-the-barbie,

beer-ing, family-squabbling Christmas. It is the only time of the year I see

them all. I organised with my siblings a few years ago that we would do any

family get-togethers on Christmas Eve, leaving Christmas Day as time to see

partners families, or to catch up with siblings alone (without the nada and

assorted crazies). Getting together in the evening means you only have to see

them for a couple of hours (as opposed to a whole day), and there are so many

wonderful excuses for leaving when you want to (driving alot tomorrow, Im tired,

need to get the kids to bed etc etc). So handy!!

A few hours is my limit before my patience wears thin, and is also the limit of

the crazies ability to be " nice " .

I have preplanned conversation topics to bring up when things get a bit heavy.

Bringing out a camera and asking people to move around for a shot is great for

helping some poor bugger stuck in the corner being lectured to. Move everyone

outside for drinks, then back in for food, then back out for dessert helps to

stop crazies from fixating on one person.

I have all food pre-prepared so nanda cant corner me in the kitchen while Im

cooking - her favourite place for ambush.

Get an ally to help keep conversation light and to help change topics, and

organise a few signals beforehand to indicate when you are uncomfortable and

need rescuing. Socal butterflies are harder to swat.

My favourite trick - go sit in the loo when I need a time out. Take regular

breaks through it all, go relex, breathe and collect myself BEFORE I get

stressed to the point of no return (if you go into a bedroom, someone will

notice and bring you back out).

Christmas Day and for a few days after I will be going to a beach house with my

partners family - to drink and be freaking merry and lie around getting

sunburned. Thats the carrot that will keep me trotting through the family

get-together, I find it easier if I have something wonderful to look forward to

straight after.

Thats my plan for retaining sanity through Christmas - whats yours?