SMUG relatives at Xmas....ur best avoidance technques please...

[bluedolphin]

I know its still oct but I'm getting that nasty "how am I going to put up with them?" feeling already...2 scenarios 1. They visit us 5hrs approx 2.We visit them approx 3.5 hours..... Have u any techiniques for getting thru the agony.... I have asked a friend to call during the visit (phone) =25minutes....A couple of stiff vodka's before they arrive... anyone got some good ones?

[Phantaxus]

book a holiday over the christmas period and go away. fake an illness something that looks contagious

[Lindy Loo]

You visit them and arrange an 'emergency' that means you leave soon after you get there. Do the 'I've been up all night with the trots and feel horrendous. I'm so sorry to let you down but...' 'I'm sorry but we've been invited to xxxx's this year' (somewhere to make them jealous!) Break down on route!

[spainlads]

Tell them you just want to spend christmas alone. I promise you they won't like it - but it's your xmas.

[Scarlett]

I do sympathise!! Every year I cannot bear it, so I end up visiting friends. Sometimes I get on a train on 23rd and come back on 27th. Other times I visit friends with kids, so you avoid all the family politics to be part of a different one!Surely you visiting them for 3.5 hours is preferable, in that you can leave when you like? Why not all do something together, like go out for a walk somewhere, like the seaside or somewhere beautiful that will put it all in perspective. If they don't want to come, they can stay at home!! Then you go to the pub.

[marmaduke]

You'll be around for longer than them, and maybe when they die you'll regret not wanting to spend time with them. Just bite the bullet. Smile. Situations do not make you feel bad, it's the way you react to them. It's not so bad. And there's no real need for you to be with them, if this is how you feel - why not have a Christmas to yourself and close family/friends? Or don't invite them?

[secretspirit]

marmaduke you are repeating the same old guilt trips that the relatives give! That's before they go on to live another 20 years as well. You're not one of my parents are you? I always say that Christmas is for kids and old people to enjoy and the rest of us hate it. My in-laws seem to have the dodgiest digestive systems and think that farting all day is the most hilarious thing ever (once that wears off there's the bored games - spelling mistake intentional). My tactic is to split Christmas day between different parts of the family and then lie and say I'm doing the sales on Boxing Day.