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7 Ways To Get Through The Holidays With A Big, Crazy Family

Take one time-out if you need to, or maybe five.

Ashley Britton

Dec 28, 2018

Syracuse University

7 Ways To Get Through The Holidays With A Big, Crazy Family

Ashley Britton

The holidays are hands down one of my favorite parts of the year. I love more than anything to watch classic Christmas movies, jam out to holiday tunes, and catch up with family members that I haven't seen since last year.

However, family can sometimes be a tricky part of the holidays to deal with. Christmas is already crazy enough, with all of the excitement about buying and receiving presents, making festive meals, and preparing for the big day. But when you throw in a bunch of family members all in one household, things can get crazy.

Luckily, there are a few ways to deal with the madness and hopefully avoid it as much as possible to make your season more peaceful. Here are a few of my personal tips that I've learned over the past few years.

1. Avoid topics that could lead to heated debates or arguments

There is so much that you and your family can talk about as a way to catch up with one another. If one of your relatives is known for getting heated over politics or family drama, try talking to them about something they're interested in, such as sports or music. Getting into debates or arguments is the last thing that anyone wants to do.

2. Find a space in the house that's quiet so you can be alone

Whether it's your own room or another separate room in the house, find some quiet space where you can relax with your own thoughts if things are getting too chaotic. Being around a bunch of people, especially your family members, can be draining during the holidays, because everyone is excited and anticipating the presents, the food, etc. So it's definitely safe to say that we all need a break at some point.

3. If you feel overwhelmed, leave the house and go somewhere you like

Taking a walk around the neighborhood, driving to your favorite coffee shop or cafe, or even driving just for the heck of it are all good strategies to get out of the house. Just like with the last tip, it's good to take a break from everything if you're feeling overwhelmed from all the chaos happening around you.

4. Drink a lot of coffee

If you need something to keep you going throughout the day and all of the plans your family has scheduled, coffee will be your new best friend.

5. Make sure you're eating food when you're asked an awkward question that you don't want to answer

Spending the holidays with other family members are notorious for college students being asked the most awkward questions, such as "How are your grades so far?" or "Do you have a job yet?" or even "Do you finally have a boyfriend?". The trick to avoiding these is to just keep on eating at the dinner table, and simply shrug it off.

6. Don't argue about not being in the family picture

Trust me, I hate big family pictures too, because it takes forever for everyone to get together and pose, and then the picture ends up looking bad. But there's no point in arguing, because your family members will probably force you into it anyways, and arguing back and forth will only make it take longer for the picture to be taken.

7. Just step back, go with the flow, and stay as patient as you can

This is obviously easier said than done, but patience is truly a virtue when it comes to spending the holidays with a big, crazy family. Everyone is obviously going to have their own agenda, the schedule will be different from what you're used to, and some things might not be exact to your liking. But taking a step back and accepting this early on will keep you a bit more sane throughout all the chaos, because arguing about how you want things to go will get you nowhere.

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7 Ways To Get Through The Holidays With A Big, Crazy Family

Take one time-out if you need to, or maybe five.

1. Avoid topics that could lead to heated debates or arguments

2. Find a space in the house that's quiet so you can be alone

3. If you feel overwhelmed, leave the house and go somewhere you like

4. Drink a lot of coffee

5. Make sure you're eating food when you're asked an awkward question that you don't want to answer

6. Don't argue about not being in the family picture

7. Just step back, go with the flow, and stay as patient as you can

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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