How To Have a Stress-Free Family Christmas

Lower your expectations. While we’d all like Christmas to be like an episode of The Waltons, it usually ends up like The Simpsons, so don’t get depressed if things don’t go as planned.

Ask people want they’d like to see, do, and eat while you’re together. Maybe deep down everyone would prefer Italian food, a potluck buffet, or even dinner out rather than the labor-intensive traditional Christmas meal.

List everything that drives you crazy about Christmas: the endless gift buying? All-day cooking? Lazy relatives? This year, make changes: Get everyone a gift card, order in your side dishes, assign specific tasks to your guests.

Schedule breaks from your family. Give yourself a breather by going out alone or with friends. Just make sure your family knows your plans ahead of time, so they won’t take it personally when you leave.

Keep a two-drink maximum. A drink or two may make dealing with your family easier; any more will make it harder—and possibly prompt you to say something that’ll keep tensions high for many Christmases to come!