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Never be early, hide the wine and ignore your host – 12 ways to avoid an argument on Christmas Day
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Never be early, hide the wine and ignore your host – 12 ways to avoid an argument on Christmas Day

CHRISTMAS can be explosive.

Drunk fights at dinner, fights about the TV and disputes over gifts are common.

Christmas can be explosive – with drunken arguments at dinner and arguments on TV

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Christmas can be explosive – with drunken arguments at dinner and arguments on TV

A survey suggests that the average family lines up at least five rows on December 25, starting at 10 a.m.!

Fortunately, label Expert Jo Bryant gave Natalie Clarke her guide on how to avoid real festive fallout. . .

PLAN AHEAD FOR A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS

Chat with guests before the 25th.

But take your time, because doing it too far in advance will make you look very tense and overdone.

I called in a panic Christmas Eve that’s not good either. Do it now.

What time are you going to eat? You might want to think about young children or elderly parents who will turn to the Rennies if their dinner is served too late.

As a host, it’s your job to see if anyone has any special features dietary needs.

You don’t want anger vegan in your hands if all you offer is turkey and pigs in blankets.

If you’re the guest, you have less control over the menu. With desserts, on the other hand, it’s a little more relaxed.

If you hate Christmas Puddingyou can say, “Would you like me to contribute lunch?” Can I bring a pud? » Then you can go wild with your pavlova.

Nearly 1 in 3 adults worry about feeling alone during the holidays

DON’T BE LATE. . . BUT NEVER, NEVER BE EARLY

IT’S an age-old rule – and a very British one.

There is nothing worse than a guest arriving early, as the host may not be ready and may still be up to their elbows. Brussels sprouts.

If you are asked to arrive at noon, make sure you arrive at noon, or very soon after.

It is much better to be ten minutes late than ten minutes early.

IGNORE IT WHEN YOUR HOST SAYS: “DON’T BRING ANYTHING”

IF you are going to someone’s house and don’t know them well, it is a good idea to call ahead and ask what you can bring.

If the host says “Nothing”, you should still take something: flowers, chocolates or a plant. It’s good manners.

But be wary of coming with a scented candle if they’d probably prefer a few bottles of wine.

If you are the organizer and know your guests very well, you can ask them if they would be willing to bring cheese, chocolates or something else.

This way you ensure you get reasonable contributions and it can help spread the costs.

If you're going to someone's house and don't know them well, it's a good idea to call ahead and ask what you can bring.

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If you’re going to someone’s house and don’t know them well, it’s a good idea to call ahead and ask what you can bring.Credit: Getty

AVOID BORING TRAVEL CHATS

IF you’ve had a horrible trip, it’s bad label carry on and bring that stress with you.

Not only is it rude, but it also makes your hosts feel like inviting you is a burden.

Allow time for your commute and, if you’re running late, don’t call every 15 minutes for an update on your location.

You can always share your location for an hour on Whatsapp.

This way, your host will be able to see where you are or choose to ignore you if they are still too busy. baste the turkey.

GO YOUR SEPARATE WAYS

CHRISTMAS – and life – is about give and take.

Not everyone will want to do the same thing at the same time.

For example, you might say, “Some of us go to church – you can stay home if you don’t want to come.” »

This way they can roll back the Prosecco while you are sing hymns.

Also consider the needs of your other guests.

Older guests may appreciate a place where they can sit quietly, away from playing teenagers.

As host, don’t impose too many activities on guests – but if everyone is playing Monopoly, don’t be the only one watching TV.

Do what the majority does.

IF someone took the time and effort to give you something – even if it's a garish, itchy sweater – it's rude to say you don't like it.

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IF someone took the time and effort to give you something – even if it’s a garish, itchy sweater – it’s rude to say you don’t like it.Credit: Getty

MAKE A SMART SEATING PLAN

If there is family tension, I suggest a clever seating arrangement.

Place place cards and say, “Grandma, why don’t you sit here?” Uncle Bob, what about there?

It goes without saying, avoid seating people who don’t get along next to each other.

You should stick to safe topics when speaking, such as highlights of the year, holidays, and any big plans for 2025.

Don’t monopolize the conversation and avoid the usual flashpoints, like politics.

It’s best to deflect awkward discussions with humor.

Say something like, “It’s Christmas, we don’t want to talk about boring politics, do we?”

DON’T CRITICIZE THE CHEF

PEOPLE are too stressed about Christmas lunch.

That’s one meal in 365 days and it probably won’t be the best meal you’ll ever eat.

Chances are the turkey will be a little dry and the sprouts will be overcooked.

The purpose of Christmas is about community and family.

You should focus on that rather than criticizing the boss.

There are so many elements to Christmas lunch, so there will be something you like.

Try to have a bit of what you like best – don’t sit there and say “I don’t like that”, otherwise you might end up not being invited next year.

The Purpose of Christmas is About Community and Family

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The Purpose of Christmas is About Community and FamilyCredit: Getty

DO NOT LOAD YOUR HOST’S DISHWASHER

YOU should offer to help, but in a reasonable way.

There is a help – and there is a hindrance.

Trying to load someone’s dishwasher when you don’t know where everything goes is a pain.

Carrying plates from the table to the kitchen is probably more useful.

Be helpful without commenting, interfering or getting in the way.

If you’re staying at home, you need to be clean and tidy: hang up your towels, don’t clutter the bathroom, and respect your host’s house rules.

HIDE THE WINE

You have to let people have fun – it is Christmas after all – but try to reduce the risk of excess.

I sneakily suggest limit alcohol consumption and making sure there is plenty of coffee and water available later in the day.

Lecturing people about drinking is never going to feel celebratory and if you tell someone they’ve had enough it doesn’t tend to go over very well.

If you tell someone they've had enough to drink, it won't be much appreciated.

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If you tell someone they’ve had enough to drink, it won’t be much appreciated.Credit: Alamy

DON’T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU

WE can all leave Boxing Day and think, “Thank God we got through this.” »

But this was probably the hardest for your host, so it’s always worth thanking them a few days later.

You can send an email, but a thank you card in the mail is a step above and will have much more impact.

TURN BORING HABITS INTO ADORABLE TRAITS

IF you don’t get along with a certain parent, I suggest you change your mindset, because they won’t disappear at Christmas.

If there’s something your mother-in-law does that really annoys you – asking inappropriate questions about your sex life, perhaps, or laughing hysterically at things that aren’t funny – it will only be amplified. after drinking a few wines.

Instead, make it seem slightly humorous in your mind, an integral part of who they are, rather than going to war over it.

It’s also best to deflect awkward conversations with humor.

It is bad manners to be confrontational and aggressive.

Send your hosts a thank you card by mail

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Send your hosts a thank you card by mailCredit: Shutterstock

IF YOU HATE A GIFT, STAY ALONE

IF anyone took the time and effort to give you something – even if it’s a garish, itchy sweater – it’s rude to say you don’t like it.

Generally, you should accept it.

If it’s an item of clothing and it doesn’t fit you can discuss a different size.

And if it’s an extremely expensive item, maybe you could discuss it.

We all get a few gifts we don’t like so much, so don’t be too picky.

And don’t brag or spend a lot of money either.

You might embarrass the other person by give them something too expensive.