Top Five Ways to Deal with Going Home For Christmas
When I wrote my novel ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, I was basing it on the universal truth that no matter how much you love your family, and however much you want to spend the festive season with them, they will probably drive you crazy. In the novel, my main character Megan is returning home ten years after being kicked out as a pregnant teenager. But even without the drama of something like that, it’s likely your festivities are not going to be as quiet as you think. So here are some tips to deal with the December Drama.
1) Do not expect people to change, just because it’s Christmas.
People in general, do not change. At least, not overnight. If your sister has always burnt the stuffing, your dad has always fallen asleep before dessert and you’ve had a row before you’ve even opened the tiny of Quality Street, then just decide that it’s a humorous festive tradition.
2) Hold your tongue.
It’s hard, and especially when tongues are loosened by a Christmas sherry, or a few too many glasses of Bucks Fizz at breakfast, but don’t say whatever it is you REALLY want to say! Still annoyed that your Auntie forgot your birthday, that your brother got an Ipad whilst you got another pair of Rudolph socks? Maybe it’s the little baiting comments that are throwaway, but you don’t have to let them bother you! Focus on whatever it is that you love about the holidays. And if you’re really in need, think about how sad you’d be without those annoying family members at Christmas.
3) Mistletoe is NOT magical!
What do you get if you add mistletoe, Christmas parties, that work-place crush and a round of free drinks? An ill-advised smooching session with a hangover and a continued sense of shame. We all get a bit mushy around the festive season. But if you wouldn’t go there normally, don’t do it just because it’s Christmas!
4) Don’t get obsessed with perfection.
Some years, nothing goes right. And that’s okay. Sometimes the cooker breaks, or the electricity goes off. The turkey burns, there’s a big argument, the trifle is rancid and the kids smear pudding on the walls. But those can be the best times of all, because you can make them into wonderful, funny stories.
5) Feel the love!
It seems obvious, but it’s a time of goodwill and love! Don’t let the petty little things get in the way! Tell people you care, show them you appreciate them, get in touch with people who you have missed over the years. Bear in mind Rule Number 3, but as long as you’re not drunkenly sticking your tongue down someone’s throat, share a little love!
‘Driving Home for Christmas’ is available on a variety websites, including Amazon
The Blurb:
Megan McAllister is home for Christmas…whether she likes it or not!
Christmas is about family…and for Megan family means two people: herself, and her daughter Skye. It doesn’t mean her parents who, ten years ago, saw her pregnancy as anything but a miracle. And it definitely doesn’t include her irresistible ex-boyfriend Lucas Bright.
So ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ has never been top of Megan’s festive playlist. But for Skye, she knows she needs to spend the holiday season with the people she’s left behind. She can do this. Even if the thought of meeting Lucas under the mistletoe still has her feeling like she’s drunk one-too-many Snowballs!
But somewhere between the hanging of stockings and the crackle of wrapping paper, Christmas starts to sparkle. And Megan begins to wonder if family could be bigger than her and Skye after all…
Pop the buck’s fizz, stoke the fire and prepare to giggle the festive season away with AL Michael!
Author Bio
A.L. Michael is a twenty something writer from London. She works as a creative facilitator, running workshops in creative writing, writing for wellbeing, and children's lessons. She has a BA in English Literature with Creative Writing, an MA in Creative Entrepreneurship, and is working towards an MsC in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. She is not at all reliant on her student discount card.
When she's not writing or talking about writing, she bakes, runs, plays with her puppy, and gets continually distracted by shiny things on Pinterest.
Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads
Thank you so much for this post A.L. Michael. I found myself nodding along in agreement with all these points, and suspect others will find them familiar too.
When I wrote my novel ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, I was basing it on the universal truth that no matter how much you love your family, and however much you want to spend the festive season with them, they will probably drive you crazy. In the novel, my main character Megan is returning home ten years after being kicked out as a pregnant teenager. But even without the drama of something like that, it’s likely your festivities are not going to be as quiet as you think. So here are some tips to deal with the December Drama.
1) Do not expect people to change, just because it’s Christmas.
People in general, do not change. At least, not overnight. If your sister has always burnt the stuffing, your dad has always fallen asleep before dessert and you’ve had a row before you’ve even opened the tiny of Quality Street, then just decide that it’s a humorous festive tradition.
2) Hold your tongue.
It’s hard, and especially when tongues are loosened by a Christmas sherry, or a few too many glasses of Bucks Fizz at breakfast, but don’t say whatever it is you REALLY want to say! Still annoyed that your Auntie forgot your birthday, that your brother got an Ipad whilst you got another pair of Rudolph socks? Maybe it’s the little baiting comments that are throwaway, but you don’t have to let them bother you! Focus on whatever it is that you love about the holidays. And if you’re really in need, think about how sad you’d be without those annoying family members at Christmas.
3) Mistletoe is NOT magical!
What do you get if you add mistletoe, Christmas parties, that work-place crush and a round of free drinks? An ill-advised smooching session with a hangover and a continued sense of shame. We all get a bit mushy around the festive season. But if you wouldn’t go there normally, don’t do it just because it’s Christmas!
4) Don’t get obsessed with perfection.
Some years, nothing goes right. And that’s okay. Sometimes the cooker breaks, or the electricity goes off. The turkey burns, there’s a big argument, the trifle is rancid and the kids smear pudding on the walls. But those can be the best times of all, because you can make them into wonderful, funny stories.
5) Feel the love!
It seems obvious, but it’s a time of goodwill and love! Don’t let the petty little things get in the way! Tell people you care, show them you appreciate them, get in touch with people who you have missed over the years. Bear in mind Rule Number 3, but as long as you’re not drunkenly sticking your tongue down someone’s throat, share a little love!
‘Driving Home for Christmas’ is available on a variety websites, including Amazon
The Blurb:
 |
| Amazon UK |
Christmas is about family…and for Megan family means two people: herself, and her daughter Skye. It doesn’t mean her parents who, ten years ago, saw her pregnancy as anything but a miracle. And it definitely doesn’t include her irresistible ex-boyfriend Lucas Bright.
So ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ has never been top of Megan’s festive playlist. But for Skye, she knows she needs to spend the holiday season with the people she’s left behind. She can do this. Even if the thought of meeting Lucas under the mistletoe still has her feeling like she’s drunk one-too-many Snowballs!
But somewhere between the hanging of stockings and the crackle of wrapping paper, Christmas starts to sparkle. And Megan begins to wonder if family could be bigger than her and Skye after all…
Pop the buck’s fizz, stoke the fire and prepare to giggle the festive season away with AL Michael!
Author Bio
When she's not writing or talking about writing, she bakes, runs, plays with her puppy, and gets continually distracted by shiny things on Pinterest.
Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads
Thank you so much for this post A.L. Michael. I found myself nodding along in agreement with all these points, and suspect others will find them familiar too.
 |
| For more #CarinaChristmas click here |
Oh Boy these at some straightforward no nonsense Tips, eh!
ReplyDelete