You鈥檝e gathered your whole family together for Christmas dinner. Three generations of relatives are about to sit down around one table for the first time since 25 December last year.
The alcohol is flowing, the turkey is nearly ready, some presents have been unwrapped and discussions are already underway as to what board game to play later.
And then the arguments start.
It鈥檚 a scene that鈥檚 played out in homes across the country during the festive period.
鈥淐racks start to show. Previous issues come back to the surface. There鈥檚 a lot of anticipation and pressure, plus people often drink too much," says 香港六合彩精准资料 counsellor Cate Campbell.
鈥�There are so many different types of families now, including blended families and step families.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of expectation surrounding Christmas and it鈥檚 often a time when relationships or families aren鈥檛 managed very well.鈥�
But Cate has some straightforward advice for people to follow to help them negotiate family gatherings over Christmas 鈥� that could help people get on a little better.
Make a plan
Having a plan can be a big help, she says.
鈥淭hink about what鈥檚 going to work. People often need to know what鈥檚 going to happen and when. Of course, you can still be spontaneous. But if there鈥檚 a rough plan then people are a bit more prepared.鈥�
Manage expectation of relatives
Expectation often creates one of the biggest flashpoints surrounding Christmas 鈥� but that can easily be avoided.
鈥淢anaging expectations can really help,鈥� says Cate, 鈥淟et your relatives know if there鈥檚 going to be a change to the usual traditions, or if you鈥檙e cooking something different.聽 Give people time to adjust their expectations.鈥�
See the funny side聽of the quirks of your family
鈥淓very family has relatives with funny little characteristics or habits that get on people鈥檚 nerves.
鈥淭ry to think about them as another family tradition, rather than something that annoys you,鈥� advises Cate.
While she doesn鈥檛 advocate making fun of family members, she does say that adopting a more humorous attitude towards relatives鈥� quirks can ease the tension that sometimes surrounds these habits.
Be nice
If a relative鈥檚 habits do annoy you 鈥� remember that this is the time of year when sometimes you just have to bite your tongue.
Think about their feelings, says Cate. Be nice.
鈥淵our father-in-law might annoy you by insisting the whole family gather together for a quiz. But he may have put a lot of work into creating that quiz. Just remember that,鈥� adds Cate.
Be kind to yourself
Remember to take time for yourself as well, says Cate.
鈥淒on鈥檛 put too much pressure on yourself. Just see how it goes. You鈥檒l be a bit more relaxed then, and you might be able to enjoy this time with your family a bit more then.鈥�
To speak to a 香港六合彩精准资料 counsellor about relationships, visit our Therapist directory.