It’s getting close to the holiday season, and you know what that means - food, fun, family, and holiday cheer. It also means that when your family gets together for Christmas (or whatever you celebrate), they’re inevitably going to ask you all about your life and how you’re doing.

And you, of course, want to do just about anything other than answering those questions.

How are you supposed to tell your Aunt Susan that you stayed up until 3 a.m. tearfully finishing a paper or that you regularly eat crackers for breakfast? It’s better for you and everyone involved if you don’t answer those questions, no matter how hard they press. The best way to avoid them? Come up with some fun, holiday-themed distractions.

1. Wear the ugliest sweater in the world

Tis the season for ugly sweaters. Even if it’s not an ugly sweater party, wear one anyway, preferably one with lights or bells. It’ll be so obnoxious and ugly that everyone will forget their questions for you and only have one: “What in the world is that?”

2. Bake some Christmas goodies

Diets be damned: dive into your grandma’s recipe book and whip up some Christmas cookies, peppermint bark, gingerbread, or whatever you may fancy. Serve them to your family. If they’re eating, they’re not talking.

3. Pop on a Christmas TV special

There are so many to choose from: Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown, and many, many more. Nothing kills conversation quite like the TV capturing your attention.

4. Start a snowball fight

If you live in a place that gets snow, take your kid family members (or the adult ones too, if they’d like) and pelt them with snow. No time for questions about whether or not you’ve got a boyfriend yet when you’re engaged in warfare.

5. Ask your religious family members about Jesus instead

There are bound to be a couple of Jesus nuts in the family. Once they ask you how college is going, flip the conversation and ask them about Jesus. I mean, this is his birthday, right? This might end up being even more painful, but chances are once they get started about Jesus they’ll have forgotten all about you.

6. Start some impromptu caroling

Yes, your singing voice is horrendous. But you can’t answer questions if you’re singing holiday tunes. If you’re persistent enough, maybe you can even get some family members to join you.

In the end, they’re your family, so chances are they’re only asking because they’re curious. All the stress of the holiday season aside, be sure to relax and enjoy your time with family. This season only comes around once a year.