Holiday Stress: Dealing with Family Dinners
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Holiday Stress: Dealing with Family Dinners

Spending time with family doesn't have to be stressful. Follow these tips to ensure this holiday is one worth remembering.

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Holiday Stress: Dealing with Family Dinners
The Woolshed

With the approach of major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, comes the ill-anticipated family dinner. Although spending time with loved ones can be fun and heart-warming, the pre-visitation dread is inevitable. Whether it’s the alcoholic uncle, the aunt that asks too many questions, or annoying cousins that nag you the entire time, there always seems to be someone who makes things a little less enjoyable. To make the most out of the time with your relatives, here are some tips to help you out:

  1. DO NOT avoid your family.
    As tempting as it may be to hide away in the recluse of your room, distancing yourself will only make people want to talk to you more. Besides, at the end of the day family is family, right? Spend time with everyone. They love you.
  2. Pick a group and stick with them.
    For those of you with large families, it’s much simpler to pick certain people that you’d like to be with, and stay with them. Don’t waste your time drifting around- being with a person or group whose company you genuinely enjoy will make the evening go by much more pleasantly.
  3. Don’t engage in controversial conversations .
    Unless you’re someone who loves to debate, try to avoid politics (both candidates are stupid anyways), religion, or any other sensitive topic. Not everyone is going to share the same views, and talking about such matters is a surefire way to create conflict.
  4. Don’t answer questions you don’t feel comfortable with.
    First and foremost, YOUR comfort comes first. If you have a family member prying for details that you aren’t willing to provide, politely tell them that you either don’t feel comfortable disclosing that information or that now is not the right time. If you’re concerned about making a scene, subtly change the topic. Worse comes to worst, excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, and by the time you come back the conversation will have shifted.
  5. Monitor the drinks.
    You don’t have to be 21 to watch the alcohol consumption of your relatives. If you feel someone has had too much to drink, don’t be afraid to stop them. Take their drink away or move the alcohol somewhere else to prevent them from having more. There’s no harm in being buzzed, but when adults are getting punch-drunk and trying relive their college years, it’s time to to put the drinks away.
Seeing your family doesn’t always have to be stressful. Holidays should be a time to look forward to, and time with your relatives cherished. They won’t be around forever, so hold on tight to the moments you have now.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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