Yours Magazine Australia — January 04, 2018

Giving presents is supposed to be fun,

fulfilling and rewarding – for the giver

and receiver. But it can also become

a cause of angst between parents and

grandparents – especially if your childre

have differing ideas about gifts.

“It could be that they only give gifts to

and children, or perhaps they limit the n

presents given. Others may prefer a Secret Santa type

of arrangement,” Annie says.

Understandably, you’ll want to spoil your grandkids,

but problems can arise if you go against the rules.

SOLUTION Keep presents in perspective. “The main

thing is everyone needs to feel there’s equality in the

gifting, and that usually means in the amount spent,”

Annie says. While one person may be happy with one

expensive gift, someone else may prefer four little

items, but the cost is the same.

“To avoid a festive fallout, have a frank discussion

with your family about gift-giving rules – even if it’s

Christmas Eve,” Annie advises. Suggest an approach

that works for everyone, such as a three-gift-per-person

limit during communal present opening, or agree that

everyone spends the same amount of money.

Problem

WILDLY OPPOSING VIEWS

he holidays can be fraught with fear and anxiety

about what’s going to happen if a loved one

overindulges or behaves inappropriately.

“There’s often someone who overeats or drinks

too much, causing discomfort for the rest of the family,”

Annie says. “While overeating can limit the amount

of food available for others, it’s alcohol that causes

the most problems.”

SOLUTION If you’re hosting a relative who

drinks excessively, limiting their alcohol can help

save them from themselves. Alternatively, you

could limit the drinking time or make your

home alcohol-free.

If someone isn’t aware of how much

they drink, Annie says it’s more helpful

t h discreet and firm conversation

Opposites may attract, but

they can also be a source

of strife when families

get together to celebrate.

“People have more

entrenched views nowadays

and the ability to accept that

others are entitled to their

own opinions is seemingly

going out of style,” Annie says.

As a result, family members

who hold different cultural,

religious or world views may

find themselves caught in the

middle of a storm. Annie says,

“It’s possible to acknowledge

what someone else says

without agreeing with them,

SOLUTION Everyone has

to be flexible about holiday

traditions. “The most

sensible approach is to

have an agreement that

there will be an effort from

everyone to have a good time

and avoid picking fights,”

Annie suggests.

If you can agree to steer

clear of touchy topics such

as politics and religion, and

try not to rise to the bait

of unwise, alcohol-fuelled

remarks, you’ll have a much

better time of it.

“Even if the truce only lasts

over the holiday period, it will

Problem

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allow differing thoughts or

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saveyoualotofheartache

andleave positive memories

of the season,” she says.

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TEXT: MARK BROOK PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES

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