How to deal with awful in laws at Christmas lunch? Lol

[kelsbels]

Any advice?

I mean, I deal with awful awful in-laws all year round, but Christmas? Well Christmas just makes it sooooo much worse, lol.

[RhiChiChi]

I really have no idea b/c I rarely see my IL's (not that they are awful). I guess just by telling yourself that it is one day of the year and I guess it is for your partner.

Do you have to go and spend time with them?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Dress up, smile graciously, learn how to just raise an eyebrow at them and then turn your back and ignore.

Guess what my plan is for Christmas day? (Not for all the in-laws, just when I have to.)

[Charlotte91]

Looking for advice too. I'm sure I'll have to meet up with the monster-in-law some time soon.
My Lord, she is horrible.

[peanutter]

1. have some topics for conversation up your sleeve - things which don't involve people there - whether movies, sport, celebrities, current issues, TV shows, world events, politics, whatever - so the conversation can carry on without anyone being attacked - and where you can (if desired) keep well out of it, once you've got the ball rolling.

2. if there's no bites on the topics, get them talking about themselves ... what they've done, what their friends are doing, their plans for the next year, etc ... might be boring, might be ferociously self important, but at least there's hopefully no attacking of others, as most people love talking about themselves ... especially if they're the awfully narcissistic types parents in law so often seem to be ...

3. if 1 and 2 fail, find some wine.

[nickle730]

Drink. Through. It. That's my plan... not smashed, just tipsy enough to survive.

[LoveKnowsNoBounds]

I've been thinking the same thing. Had a few issues lately where they don't give a stuff about DH but then expect him to drop everything for them. Don't feel like chitchatting with them. Guess I have to!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I would counsel against drunkenness around people you dislike - even just tipsiness leads to a slightly freer tongue than you may want the next morning!

I hate it, but I stay sober and graceful (and ignore the meanness indirected at me - cos it's usually snide and petty, but just adds up until I'd wallop someone if I had alcohol in me, instead I go home and get upset).

[Butterfly Dawn]

can you imagine her dressed up as a billboard on the side of the road? or in a chicken suit? Imagine them doing something unpleasant like cleaning out the compost bin? scrubbing the loo? and smile till your face hurts, if they cant see that they are getting to you it might dampen their spirits. 1 of my friends just praises her MIL from the min she walks in the door (MIL is a nasty piece) she complements her hair, her clothes etc, helps out all she can blah blah so if MIL complains it makes MIL look bad. (couldnt do it myself but...)

[Rach75]

dont have xmas with them thats my plan this year after my horrible xmas last year that I wish I could forget and pretend it never happened we are having xmas just us 4 no family no one just us xmas our way

good luck

[Tinks]

I am dreading having to spend the day with my MIL. Last year we had Christmas here and she was more than pleasant on my turf. This year we're going out to lunch. I AM FREAKING OUT!

[Astrolady]

At least they come for lunch. My IL's refuse to come to my house for Christmas lunch because they don't like my parents. So much for Christmas being about the children.

[luna moth]

At least they come for lunch. My IL's refuse to come to my house for Christmas lunch because they don't like my parents. So much for Christmas being about the children.

Ugh. Mine won't come because apparently being in your own home is more important than being with family. We were told to stay put for the same reason. WTF? it's a crumbling pile of timber that houses our stuff. It's just stuff. Family can't be replaced. But I don't like them, so I'm mildly thrilled.

Coping strategies: sneaky vent texts from the bathroom. Sing. Use your tongue to write nasty messages on the roof of your mouth.

[Sopdet]

Suppose divorce is out of the question

Crosswords are always a good thing, something you can ignore the whole family with

[Amity]

Backyard cricket with the kids is always good. At least kids are generally ok.

Otherwise - find alcohol. But not too much.

And if all else fails... perhaps the ham gives you a stomachache... gastro will clear the house (yours or theirs) pretty darn quick!

[peanutter]

a game or cards or scrabble?

or dead lions