How to survive your in-laws this Christmas

Firstly, your mother-in-law has been in charge of hosting Christmas for many more years than what you have and according to her, there is only one way of doing it properly.

This all while your father-in-law spends almost every waking moment during Christmas sitting in your husband’s armchair hogging the remote with a grin on his face that says, “It’s not my house, but I will forever be the man of the house.”

Then you are forced to entertain the kids because they all have something they really, really want to see on TV which is on at precisely the same time on another channel and you only have a limited number of television screens in your house.

And Uncle Kenny… The uncle you invited because he would have still made it even without an invite anyway, but still acts as though he had something better to do. He spends his time complaining about his ex-wife and stations himself closest to the port.

Christmas may be a time when families get together, but it’s certainly also a reminder of all the reasons why they’re not together for the rest of the year.

Because we know we all have to learn how to survive the sternest test of peace and goodwill at Christmas – the family – we are offering to make it slightly easier with a “How to survive your in-laws this Christmas” guide.

1. Make lots of food. Find out what they like and make a lot of it. Whether it’s a specific type of bourbon, gourmet cheeses, or homemade chocolate chip cookies, buy it or make it. Present the gift to your guests upon their arrival to immediately grease the wheels. This gesture of goodwill will not be forgotten. If you really want to impress, open a good bottle of wine almost immediately for the mother-in-law.

2. Keep your smart phone charged. You will not have any say in what is on TV. If you are lucky, they’ll keep SuperSport highlights playing, but if not, you’ll really be thankful to have Internet and app access a few hours in. One note – don’t text too much. A phone that is constantly buzzing will be sure to raise questions.

3. Keep your running shoes close by. This is as good a time as any to put a few miles behind you. A good couple hours on the pavement a day will not only give you a break, but will help in managing your calories. Not only that, it’s a mental escape. When the tension gets high between family members, lace ‘em up and hit the road. Limit yourself to an hour and a half run. A daily 10km run is weird.

4. Don’t be a slob. Remember all the things your mother demanded of you when you were a child? ‘Make your bed’, ‘clean your room’, and ‘put the dishes in the dishwasher’. Since you should have plenty of practice, now is the time to show all that you have learned. Cleanliness is Godliness, so show your hosts that you are one with the Lord.

5. Please and Thank You. You can’t say these words enough.

6. Never criticise her son to her face or in her presence. Most mothers are fiercely defensive of their men, even if they are in the wrong.

7. Never confide in her any of your marital problems/relationship issues. Unless it’s very serious, this information could be used against you at a later date.

8. Keep the compliments coming. Always say complimentary things about your in-laws as this reflects on how well she brought him up.

9. Ask your mother-in-law to help with the dinner. This way she won’t be popping in and out of the kitchen judging you on the state of your roast potatoes.

10. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. Get your partner to keep the drinks full to the brim and get any older children to help you with the washing up post-meal or laying the table beforehand.

* Tips sourced from the following websites:

https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/relationships/Survive+Your+Mother+In+Law-271469.html#ixzz3J2P6pP1P

https://onwardreserve.com/the-gazette/how-to/5-tips-on-how-to-survive-the-in-laws-at-christmas

https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/parenting/Surviving+Christmas+With+The+InLaws-1206.html#ixzz3J2Q9VaA2