Does your family have a wild side? Are they obnoxious, argumentative, and a whole lot of fun? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your family and mine have something in common! I come from an Italian family that lives up to the crazy Italian stereotype. The craziness we possess makes every holiday that much more fun and the only time it will be even relatively quiet is when we are eating.

So how do we survive this holiday season?

We embrace it. Our family may be many things, but life wouldn’t be the same without them.

There are four common problems that come up at Thanksgiving gatherings, and from my crazy family to yours, I want to present you with four tips to survive through the not-so-pleasant parts of the holiday season.

Problem #1: With the election just coming to a close there is bound to be arguments. Tempers will get hot and the volume will rise drastically.

Solution: Jump on the table and ban political debate until further notice, or you could post a note on the door stating that anyone who talks about politics will be sent home (hint: jumping on the table will give you the element of surprise).

Problem #2: A food catastrophe occurs, and all hell breaks lose because it was slaved over for hours in the kitchen.

Solution: It will be your first instinct to laugh, but whatever you do don’t do it. Nothing is worse than a room full of hungry Italians. If looks could kill, you would be dead.

Problem #3: You get a headache from the constant loud noise.

Solution: Suck it up buttercup, your family may be of a special breed but they are a lot of fun. Join in, while you still have a chance to celebrate with them!

Problem #4: You banned political talk so that should help your family avoid argument, right? Wrong, it wouldn’t be a holiday if there wasn't arguing and there is no way to predict all of the possibilities.

Solution: Buckle up your seatbelt and enjoy the ride, because Thanksgiving has a lot more to offer and the arguments will fizzle into laughing soon enough!

I’m thankful for my family. They may be a little loud, and argumentative, but in the end, we love each other. That’s what matters the most. Don’t just survive your family festivities, thrive!