Everything about the holidays is magical: sparkly lights, horse-drawn carriages, Michael Bublé (or Justin Bieber, if you're basic), mass consumerism, lots of chocolate. And, although many people like to claim that the best part about the Holidays is being around family, sometimes that aspect can be a little stressful. Or a lot of stressful.
These Holiday gatherings are dysfunctional, in some way or another. So, while we appreciate our families for their best qualities, let's also laugh about the ways they can be absolutely, embarrassingly horrible during the Holiday season.
When dad decides to keep the present he bought for you because he likes it too much.
When grandma rants to the younger generations about her newfound knowledge of wind turbines, the newest and most magical invention of our time.
When mom decides that the best way to help putting up the Christmas tree is to make everyone tea.
When dinner literally turns into this SNL skit:
When your parents still pretend the presents are from Santa well into and past your adolescence.
When said parents sneak to the living room with presents at 11pm on Christmas Eve, assuming their 20 year-old children can't hear them.
When one of your family members will only accept gifts of money, ruining the gift-giving spirit of the Holidays.
When your crazy aunt shows up for the first time in years, and you have to pretend she's not crazy.
When your parents' gift is a retirement plan at age 18.
When your parents' religious views collide, thereby causing really awkward tension over whether to celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas.
When your siblings get obviously better gifts than you.
When your family plans too hard and invites too many people over, making it so that you can't actually enjoy the Holiday season as a result of absurd and unnecessary levels of stress.
When your family honestly forgets the Holidays altogether.
And, of course, when your parents crush your 8 year-old hopes and dreams by admitting Santa isn't real. Because that's the worst Holiday-ruiner of all.
*Note: as you may be able to guess, many of these represent true stories on my part.
