When it comes to Christmas there can be nothing more stressful than deciding how to fit everyone in. Your family commitments have now become a battle to see who gets what and for how long. Buying gifts becomes a strategic plan of months of getting to know what the other person might want or need. Will you get it right? But it doesn’t need to be like that.
Here are a few tips on how to avoid the festive disasters when it comes to dating.
Their Family or Your Family?
The best thing to do is compromise and try to organise this as early as possible. Trying to divide your time up over the festive period can be stressful so discuss the possibility of splitting the day. If your families live close enough to each other you could have lunch with one family and dinner with the other. It may involve some travelling, but you will be able to se everyone on the same day.
Another suggestion is to have Christmas Eve with one family and Christmas day with the other. This way you don’t have too much travelling on one day and you won’t have to worry about eating too much at lunch because you have to fit in dinner. By doing Christmas this way you could alternate the days each year, so your family will get to see you and your partner on Christmas day every other year.
If your families live too far apart you could always spend Christmas with one and New year with the other and alternating those every year.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to the Christmas holiday, however sometimes nothing but Christmas day is an option so maybe if this is the case do something nice together like a Christmas dinner, just the two of you and on Christmas day go your separate ways. It may not be ideal for you, but you will only be a phone call away and it will make seeing each other again that little bit more special.
The Gift
If you don’t like it, tell them. Don’t pretend it was the best gift ever as you will only make things worse by leading them on. If you think it might hurt their feelings then before the gifts are being bought let them know what type of things you like and what things to avoid. They will appreciate it in the long run as it will take out the stress of having to shop for someone they are still getting to know. Help them out and hopefully they will help you. By doing this you can get them a gift they will truly love.
The Food
Getting the dinner right does not have to be a hassle. If you have bitten the bullet and agreed to cook for a few people and have never done it before maybe have a practice a few weeks or days before hand. Invite some people round as testers and ask their opinion. You will have a great time doing it. alternatively you can have a backup plan on the day in case things go wrong. As long as there is something to eat and they don’t have to cook, most will be glad that someone else is doing it. They won’t know you had to change to your backup if you don’t tell them.
Don’t be afraid of asking for help. The people you are cooking for will probably ask if there is anything they can do to help. If they didn’t want to do anything they wouldn’t ask. If they ask then get them doing the little things like drinks, plates, napkins, all the little things that will take up your time and focus from the main meal. Ask your other half to entertain whilst you are preparing the meal and they should include you too. If something does go wrong just laugh it off. It will only be a disaster if you let it.
Alcohol in Moderation
There is nothing worse and more embarrassing than being drunk around your dates family. You may need to have a drink to calm your nerves a little, but stay clear of the entire drinks collection. If you must have a drink then alternate between soft ones. No one is going to think any less of you if you choose a fruit juice every so often and your partner should back you up and do the same thing. Have a good time, not a hangover. You may regret it for years to come.
