5 top tips for avoiding rows on Christmas Day
Christmas Day should be filled with jollity and warmth, happiness and kindness. Unfortunately, for most of us Christmas day is beset with rows, fighting and tears. According to a recent survey, the average British family has at least 5 rows on Christmas Day. If you want to avoid all the stress of Christmas Day rows, follow these 5 top tips…
DON’T PASS JUDGEMENT
Don’t pass judgement on your presents, don’t pass judgement on the presents of others. Don’t comment upon how much your father is drinking. Don’t comment on the length of time it takes for your mother to cook the turkey. And, if it’s dry, rather than proclaiming your dissatisfaction with the dry bird – just cover it with loads of gravy.
HELP OUT
There’s nothing that will get on people’s goat more than seeing you lolling around on the sofa as others in the family scuttle about trying to get the Christmas dinner prepared. Even if your contribution is more symbolic rather than actually helpful, it will show that you’re buying into the communal elements of the Christmas festival.
AVOID ARGUMENTS
If a sibling is spoiling for a fight with you over a gift they didn’t like, back down and diffuse the situation. If a parent is shouting at you for a reason that (try as you might) you can’t discern, back down. And if you’re grandmother persistently asks ‘what you’re doing with your life’, resist the temptation to call her an old battle-axe who should mind her own business…
DON’T BE STINGY WITH THE PRESENTS
If family members feel like they’ve been short changed in terms of their presents, they’ll be harbouring resentment towards you and will use almost any excuse to start a row with you. Make sure that you buy considerate, thoughtful presents for your family and then before somebody gives you a tongue lashing they’ll remember your generosity.
MEDIATE BETWEEN OTHERS
Don’t just sit back and avoid disputes by being quiet – actively prevent arguments because if you don’t, you’ll likely be dragged into them as well. Remind everybody of the importance of the occasion, the inherent cheeriness of the event and the length of time until the family is probably all together again. Never forget the maxim; Christmas comes but once a year, but when it does it brings good cheer (or should do anyway).
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