Surviving Christmas as a family is possible. That's how!
What is the secret to everything going well? You have to play ahead and have a positive attitude. Here are our tips to survive this Christmas too ...
Before day X
- Arrange some practical details a few weeks in advance: book your return train ticket, notify everyone of your arrival time, bring a dessert that will suit everyone's tastes, buy all the gifts and pack them.
- Prepare yourself psychologically to listen to comments that are not always pleasant: your mother will certainly make inappropriate comments, and your daughter-in-law will doubtlessly ask you if you are not a bit fatter ... Adopt a zen attitude and be prepared to smile on every occasion.
- Pamper yourself a little: choose your dress and shoes carefully, even treat yourself to a relaxing massage, if needed. You are ready now.
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On day X
- If you are a guest, offer your help to the hostess, in order to show your good will and quickly create a certain complicity.
- Gather the children in the kitchen and get them involved: prepare star-shaped biscuits, typical sweets, etc. It's easy and fun, and teaches children that Christmas is not just a gift, but also a time to share with the family.
- Suggest activities to do together: decorate the Christmas tree, play party games, play cards, watch a movie ... all excellent for strengthening bonds.
- Help set a beautiful Christmas table with candlesticks, crystal glasses and holly twigs.
- Ask the children to design their own place cards and place them on their plates.
- After the Christmas dinner, ask everyone to leave something to eat for Santa, in order to keep this legend alive. Wait until the little ones are in bed, to secretly put the gifts under the tree!
- If you receive a gift that you don't like, put it into perspective and remember that at Christmas the important thing is to spend time with those you love. Hide your disappointment and give warm thanks.
What about the day after?
It facilitates the digestion of the meal with a detoxifying day: vegetable broth and infusions at will. In short, purify your body and get ready for the dinner on the 31st!
