We’re Half Way
Through our Christmas Countdown
So it’s a great time to round up
what we have talked about so far
(in case you’ve missed any).
AND
A bonus TOP 3 TIPS
to avoid Family Christmas Conflict
This is a BIG shopping weekend
the nativity/wrapping/party/meet-ups
are truly underway –
as well, of course as the looming C-Day.
It would be weird if there WASN’T a meltdown
somewhere along the way, so;
3 Anti-Meltdown
Xmas Tips
1: Argument Spoon.
If the children/teenagers/auntie Marge
at each others’ throats
OR agreement can’t be reached about
a day out or what game to play…
INTRODUCING – Ta-daaaaaa!
THE ARGUMENT SPOON.
Put simply – whoever is holding the spoon
gets to speak uninterrupted.
When they have finished speaking it’s passed
on to whoever has their hand up next.
Devilishly simple and crazy-arsed effective
way to stop the shouting
and get people to listen to each other.
Try it.
n.b You can do it with a hat, but I find certain family
members will not join in
as it is “Silly”, apparently…
On the contrary – I find it almost impossible
to argue with anyone at all when I am wearing this hat.
2. Booze like a Boss
Whilst the family weekly shopping trolley
might have a cheeky bottle of wine or two
lurking under
the loo roll
throughout the year..
…we Brits apparently turn into raving alcoholics
(if our Christmas
shopping trolleys are to be believed)
Bailey’s, Southern Comfort, Champagne,
Gin, Malibu
(please don’t, so much worse on the way up),
Vodka,
Beers (for the boys)
White, Red, Rose…
And it starts with Buck’s Fizz at Breakfast!
There is nothing more likely to;
- unleash the fury of simmering tension
- make you overwhelmingly tired at lunchtime
- make someone say the wrong thing
And accelerate/deepen/amplify
the post-face-stuffing SNORES
Which is obviously not annoying in the least..
So…..
Why not aim to make sure it is BOOZE-FREE
until you sit down to eat.
Get a spirit measure if you are going to drink spirits.
When people try to judge a single or double at home
they ALWAYS overestimate
(you can easily have your safe weekly
allowance in one afternoon
without even having had that many actual drinks)
Match EVERYONE’S alcoholic drinks
with a large glass of water
every single time.
Have some nice soft drinks, like Shloer and
Freshly-Juiced Fruit Cocktail
to encourage people to take things slower.
Although if Grandma Mary is likely to reprise
her twerking demonstration from last year,
by all means get her sh^tfaced.
It’s what our Lord would have wanted… 😉
3. Have a Rough Plan.
(but don’t be worried if it deviates a bit!)
Example:
- 9am Breakfast
- 10am Presents
- (play with presents)
- 1pm Light Snack
- 2pm Go for a walk
- 3pm Queens Speech
- 4pm Xmas Dinner
- 6pm Family Games
- 8pm TV Xmas Special
- 10pm Cocoa and Bed
or however your folks play it.
I spoke to a mum yesterday of a family
that stays in their
onesies, all of Xmas day
grazing on pre-bought M&S treats,
playing with presents
watching telly.
Sounds blissful!
A note on that.
Some people like lists.
A list is a good thing.
But unrequested demands, schedules and
lists – whilst well-meant,
Can be the most irritating
(don’t you realise I am actually a grown-up)
thing
to someone who prefers to go with the flow.
So here’s all our posts so far
don’t forget to make sure you are signed up
to receive all the rest
(Including some REALLY simple, healthy
showstopping recipes
and a new workout especially for your TUM)
Lots of Love
Tanya & Claire
www.wiseandgorgeous.com