The Holidays with Family

Oh, it's that time of year again. Pretty soon Halloween will be here and gone and then it's the beginning of what I'd like to call "Holiday Drama". And who better than to bring the drama then your own family. Am I right? So I'm here to offer five key tools and rules of surviving holidays. Now it might not work for a few of you but I find it works for a majority out there.

Step one

No matter what anyone says don't ever get drunk. For three reasons, you either end up in a fight and go to jail. You end up running naked through the streets with the turkey dinner in your hand. Or you end up getting up on the table during the meal and telling everyone exactly how you feel about them while singing a little song. Trust me, let someone else in your family make a fool of themselves. That way they will be remembered for being the fool down the line.

Step Two

Whatever you do, don't brag how much you are making at your job. There is always someone in your family during the holidays looking for a "loan". Chances are if you give them that "loan" you will never see your money or them again. Well at least not until next year when the holidays roll around again. But by that time they will act dumbfounded and act like that they had paid you back and suggest that you might not have remembered.  Also bragging about how much you make may not be wise if someone else in your family has recently lost their job. And with the way things are in the economy now a days. It will most likely be that someone in your family is unemployed.

Step Three

Don't ever go overboard on the price of a present. The wishful thinking that if you buy someone something expensive that they'll do so in return is nothing more than a dream. And your dream will eventually be shattered by the realization when you open up your present and it's either an Obama Chia Pet or one of those cheap infocommerical items that don't work. Best to stick with a price for each person your buying. Not only do you save on cash but you also save yourself from heartache.

Step Four

Again, this goes along with number one. Hide any liquor you may have. Granted, it can't stop anyone from bringing their own. But at least you've made an attempt not to be the supplier of a holiday gone wrong. Mostly all 911 calls during the holidays is due to families drinking and fighting with one another. Not only that but if you don't want to get the strange looks from your neighbors the day after, it would be wise to try to make the event alcohol free. And if someone does tend to drink too much. Advise them to either stop or stand out in the cold. I know it's a cruel thing to do but it's better than having the holiday ruined.

And Step Five

Bite your tongue. Whoever may cause the drama or whoever might do this or say that. It's not worth getting in the middle of. Remember, they are only making themselves look bad not you. And besides, once the holidays are over you have a whole year to rest up before seeing their faces again. Who knows though, maybe the year after they'll apologize for being such a fool. People do change and anything is possible.

So there are my rules and tips for surviving the holidays with family. And if your family is anything like mine. You will definitely need this. Good Luck and God Bless.