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5 Tips to Eat, Drink and
Be Merry During The Holiday Season
With the holiday season quickly approaching it seems that many of us are faced with the daunting experience of everyone in the family joining together to celebrate. This becomes an overwhelming situation for so many. Let's face it, families are full of opinions, personalities and living styles that do not always mix well when put together. More often then not the vision of bliss we see on T.V. As relatives pour in from near and far becomes a chaotic, stressful day we cannot wait to get over.
This year I proclaim a fresh start, a new approach to the family insanity. An approach that will ease the tension, create a civil- possibly even enjoyable time while allowing everyone to eat, drink and be merry!
1. No Expectations: Often we go into our holiday gatherings with the expectation that all family members will be on their best behavior. We set ourselves up for conflict when we expect people, family included to behave in a certain way. It is almost a certainty that your fmaily members will not behave the way you expect. You know this because you know them. This year remove some of the stress by walking into your family gathering expecting nothing.
2. Do Not Bring Up The Past: A majority of all drama starts by someone bringing up something that happened in the past. Maybe your mom said something or your dad didn't say something or your sibling did that one thing that just boils your blood. Face it, things happen in families and people do foolish things that cannot be changed. The worst thing you can do is pick today at the family gathering to bring that past back up. This year allow everyone a clean slate. Forgive the past, even if just for today. It will free you and ease the tension.
3. Stop believing you are always right. Everyone has their own rules for life. Every single person is living their idea of what they believe life should be. So when you come into your family gathering with an attitude that you are right and know the way life should be lived, you are setting yourself up for a stressful day. Allow your family to live as they choose, it doesn't mean that you agree with their choice, it just means you are accepting them as they are.
4. Own Your Emotions: Although we cannot control the actions of others, we can always control our own emotions and how we react. Some family members may be obnoxious and negative and they are always looking for conflict. The best thing you can do is be responsible for how you react. Let them stew in their unhappiness while you shine in your happiness. This takes nothing from you and allows you to enjoy your day.
5. Focus on those you do get along with: Spend your time around the people in your family that you get along with. Surround yourself with those that you feel comfortable around and where there is no tension. Don't be rude just be choosy.