Christmas is a time to get really close with your family — which isn't always good news.
Sure, you love your family, but having multiple generations gather around the dinner table to discuss politics and imaginary marriage plans isn't always as festive as you'd hope.
See also: 15 Ways 'Love Actually' Has Influenced Your Love Life
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to ease your holiday stress — more than a few are found in the best Christmas movie featuring a nativity lobster, Love Actually.
Because if anyone knows how to pull through an awkward situation, it's those poor characters.
This includes the waves, the hellos, and the questions about where to leave coats and gifts. It does not include the possibly problematic small talk.
Remember: The best way to get your older relatives to leave that offensive train of thought is to ask them what their favorite memes are
Look at it this way: If you're dreading a trip to the dentist, you don't really have anything to counter that dread. But if you're dreading Christmas with your family, focus on the candy canes and presents.
You have the other 364 days of the year to surround yourself only with positive people.
Because in ten years, no one will remember if the cranberry sauce wasn't whole berries or if one twinkle light burnt out.
Even in a house full of relatives, there has to be a corner of the place where you can be alone and take a breath -- even if you have to channel Harry Potter and claim the cupboard under the stairs.
Continue to sit at the kids table, or finally abandon the kids table. Whichever seems more rebellious.
It's Christmas, just wear the ugly sweater your mom got you, and drink the full fat eggnog. Much like leap day, nothing counts.
Because all the cracks about your significant other will just melt away when you're belting Mariah Carey.
Who knows how people survived Christmas dinner before cellphones, but in this wondrous age of technology, you can now text your friend as you're being berated by your great aunt.
No matter what the situation is. Carol singers.
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