Family Gatherings - Celebration or Chaos?

We know many of you have a big family gathering planned soon. You’ve most likely just spent days cleaning and cooking in preparation for the celebration. You are excited, exhausted, and a little worried. Will your mom hover over you while you prepare the meal, telling you everything you are doing wrong? Will Grandma hound your thirty-something sister incessantly about when she will marry and have a baby? Will your dad insist on carving the ham while waving around the carving knife in front of your new husband? Will Uncle Billy drink too much and tell Aunt Martha the reason she never married is because she looks like the rear end of a buffalo? What do you do outside of hiring a family therapist or a bouncer to be in attendance? We have a few hints and tips that just may help keep the peace.

Family members who try to help by telling you where you are going wrong usually mean well, especially moms and dads. If the torch has passed to you to host the holiday festivities mom and dad may be feeling a little left out or useless. This could be the underlying cause of their well meant yet unwanted “help”. Let them be helpful. Think about it beforehand; and put them in charge of a task that will keep them out of the kitchen. Ask dad to serve the drinks; and mom to set the table in the dining room.

One of our best helpful hints is that some topics should be avoided like the plague such as politics and religion. However, if someone does tread into these waters and a heated discussion arises; try not to take sides. If asked your opinion, sidestep. An answer like “I’m much too busy enjoying my meal to voice an opinion on that right now” can diffuse the situation by bringing the involved parties minds back to the meal.

 No matter how hard you try to keep some family members from going at it; there seems to always be those two cousins who just can’t seem to stand each other. The best thing to do is keep them apart. Seat them on opposite ends of the dinner table. Put them in separate rooms if possible. If they still seek each other out so that they can have their annual argument, then so be it. Just go with the flow. Unless they try to draw everyone into their drama or start to throw punches let them be.

Use the shock factor. If you’ve gently tried to direct a conversation gone wrong into another more uncontroversial area and nothing seems to work, blow them out of the water by asking if they had sex this morning. If that doesn’t work, lie. Yes, we said lie. Say “did you know Aunt Martha is having an affair with a man half her age?” Even though you know it’s a lie you will get everyone’s attention; and the conversation will move in a different direction.

Probably our best tip of all is to use humor. Laughter helps everyone relax and have a good time. That is what it’s all about, isn’t it? Whenever you sense that a discussion is headed in the wrong direction, try to inject some humor. Most families have funny stories that make everyone laugh. Remember the time Holly fell in the creek; or when we were chased by killer bees at the fair? Trust me, it was funny! There’s nothing wrong with planning ahead and having some stories or jokes in reserve.

If you’ve tried all our hints and tips and mayhem still breaks out, grab a glass of wine, pull up a comfy chair, sit back, and enjoy the show. There’s always next year, right?

30,000 Found Dead in Japan

We have all heard the words “good job” but very rarely do you hear “perfect job”. Try as we might perfection is impossible to achieve; and that is what drives a perfectionist crazy. All of our lives we have heard “nothing is perfect”; but we continue to strive for perfection. Most of us have perfectionist tendencies; but when it becomes an obsession, perfectionism is a disorder.

Who would you rather have in this scenario, a perfectionist, or someone that does a good job? You have very little time to get a proposal ready for a customer. If the proposal is not completed in time you will lose a $100,000.00 contract. It is your job to assign the task to either Jane Doe, the perfectionist, or John Doe, the “good job person”. It needs to be perfect; but if it’s late you’re dead in the water. Jane Doe is your best worker; and every job she does is “perfect”. While talking to Jane you find out it takes her 3 hours or longer to get dressed for work. She tries on each outfit to make sure it is perfect for that day. So, if you assign the job to Jane she will definitely provide you a perfect proposal; but will she get it done in time? In this scenario, John might be your best choice as he will do a good job; AND get it completed by the deadline.

Perfectionism, as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary is a propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards. Perfectionists are often high-achievers; and they are also at risk for eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, divorce, and suicide. They lead a life of continual anxiety and fear of failure even when they succeed. As is the case with Jane, she has to be perfectly dressed before leaving for work. Even simple daily tasks can create tremendous anxiety. Read more about perfectionism here.

Why is being a perfectionist a bad thing? Stress plays a major role in your health; and perfectionists spend much of their time stressed. We are taught from early childhood to be perfect, especially in school. The pressure for good grades by your teachers, parents and peers plants the seed of perfectionism. Problems can arise when children are pressured for excellence. Dr. Sidney J. Blatt, a psychologist at Yale University, and others say that harsh parental standards are a frequent source of neurotic perfectionism. Such expectations send a message to the child that whatever he or she does is never quite good enough; and that the child must be flawless in order to win approval and love.

The solution might be to stop the grading system of A,B,C,D or F. The grading system of pass or fail is itself a failure. Pass or fail grading promotes under-achieving and “just getting by”. So, maybe the system should be Good job, Just getting by, and Under-achieving. You can add a category of “over-achieving” with a warning to parents of the dangers of perfectionism. Japans suicide rate is about 30,000 a year due to many factors; but the one that stands out the most is failure due to the pressures of perfectionism. Failure for a perfectionist or even the perceived notion of failure can send a perfectionist into the dark depths of suicide.

Unfortunately, the reward system we have when we are young starts the perfectionism ball rolling. We are praised; and given money when we get good grades. That feels good; so we then strive to please and be rewarded over and over again. People want to feel good; so they chase the feel good dragon. To the perfectionist the feel good dragon is being rewarded for perfection.

Perhaps, the best thing to do is take a critical look at how our school system and accepted parenting practices are potentially creating future perfectionists. Of course, we don’t want to lower standards to prevent this. How would you like a doctor who was a chronic under-achiever? So, where is the middle ground? Maybe a system that rewarded effort on a regular basis rather than just the final result is the answer.

How do we do a good job without crossing the line into perfectionism? Simply put, we don’t know. Maybe that is a question that can only be answered on an individual basis. However, we believe it is possible to do something to help future generations avoid the anxiety and stress that striving for perfection cultivates. We need our children to learn to do their best; and be able to accept that it is good enough.

Smoking Is Not Just An Addiction

The new nicotine patch?

Here is a great tip. Stop smoking! Easier said than done? Why is smoking such a difficult thing to stop? Cigarettes are very addictive and a deeply ingrained habit. People, habitual by nature, may be the reason quitting is so difficult. With the nicotine gums, lozenges and patches to overcome the cravings, the habit itself needs to be addressed.

If we were not habitual, simple tasks like going to the store, become problematic. Can you imagine looking up directions to the store every time you needed groceries, or too find your way to work? So the question becomes; are memory and habits using the same part of the brain? According to ehow the frontal lobe, is the part of the cerebral cortex under the forehead, functions to control memories involving habits and motor activity. The temporal lobes, located just above the ears, are used to control memory acquisition.

So, it makes sense why habits are so hard to break. Have you ever tried to forget something? We all have forgotten things; but have you ever made a conscious effort to forget something? That is why habits are so hard to break. Habits are a type of memory.

The more a habit is repeated, the stronger the neural connection becomes, and the deeper a pattern is engraved. If you think about how many times a day you smoke a cigarette, then multiply that times the number of years you have smoked, you can see how ingrained the smoking habit has become!

Break the habit!

The website, self improvement mentor.com states, “Experts claimed that complete abstinence of a habit for 21 to 30 days will be enough to break it. So, you don’t have to worry about having to continuously struggle to not indulge in a habit for the rest of your life. After 21 to 30 days, you would have surpassed the required threshold. What you need to do is challenge yourself to keep away from that habit for 30 days.” Take up the 30 day challenge; and see it through. If you stumble or fail along the way, start the habit breaking challenge from the beginning.

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try Try Again

 

An old saying but there is a lot of truth to it. The process of repetition is just repeating the same old habits. The process of repetition with change is a formula for success. Look at quitting smoking as a two part challenge; one, the addiction itself and two, the ingrained habit to light up.

Search for tips on quitting smoking with Google then search for tips on breaking bad habits. Use the information you find and maybe, just maybe, you can kick the smoking habit. We wish you the best of luck!

What to do About the Moody Blues

Have you been feeling down? Are you tired of gray skies, snow, ice, and cold weather? Perhaps, you’re stuck in post-holiday doldrums; or maybe you’ve got a bad case of February funk. It could be premature spring fever. It really doesn’t matter what you call it. Many of us feel down at this time of year. Here are some hints and tips to help you beat the winter blues.

The holidays are long gone; and if you are like the rest of us you probably gobbled up goodies during the festivities. If your pants don’t fit quite as well as they used to, it can make you cringe every time you look in the mirror. Don’t say to yourself “What’s the use?”; and grab the nearest carton of ice cream. Instead, put on your favorite music that makes you want to move; and dance, dance, dance. Exercise boosts your metabolism; and gives you an overall good feeling.

If you’ve been stuck with snow and ice for days or weeks, you’re probably sick of the sight of it by now. Sorry to say, there is really nothing you can do about the weather except maybe get on a plane and fly somewhere warm. If that’s an impossibility create your own tropical paradise. Invite some friends over and throw a luau. Meet guests at the door; and drape a lei around their neck. Serve mai tais while wearing your bathing suit. Hey, maybe it’s a little zany; but it could be a brief escape from whatever is going on outside.

Another means of escape is the internet. Oh, the sights you can see! Whatever your interests are you are sure to find all sorts of information to keep your mind busy for hours. Spend some time catching up on the news with faraway friends and family via email or instant messaging. You won’t have time for feeling depressed.


Do something you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe, you always wanted to take a yoga class; or perhaps you want to learn how to cook. Now’s the time! Buy yourself some great cooking tools and get cooking.

It’s okay to treat yourself in order to feel better. Don’t do it with a bag of chips or cookies. How about a great book you’ve been wanting to read; or a new pair of earrings you can wear out on the town the first chance you get? We know there is something that pushes your “feel good” button.

The real bottom line here is to do something for yourself.  Don’t let yourself sink into the winter blues; and stay there.  Use these helpful hints to find something to shake you out of your mood.  Keep repeating to yourself, “spring is only a few weeks away!”

Jeepers Peepers! Look at those Eyes!

We all know our eyesight is of utmost importance. What would you do if could no longer see? The question really makes you think, doesn’t it? As we go through life there can be changes that occur to our eyes that cause us not to see as clearly as we did before. Some causes can be aging, hormonal changes, and pregnancy. So, what can we do? Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts.

Don’t Smoke! Harmful chemicals from smoking cause inflammation which damages the small vessels of the eyes. Smokers are more likely to get cataracts and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disease that affects central vision which is the sight used in reading; and that lets us recognize faces. We don’t know about you; but recognizing our family or our own faces in a mirror is pretty darn important to us.

Wear Shades! We hear all the time about wearing sunscreen to protect our skin. Sunglasses help protect our eyes in much the same way by blocking the sun’s UV rays. Like smoking, exposure to the sun can cause cataracts and macular degeneration over time. Lens color and cost don’t determine sunglasses effectiveness. Get a pair that blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Don’t forget to wear them!

Back away from the Computer! Most of us know that staring at a computer for hours can cause eyestrain; but did you know that in the past three decades nearsightedness (myopia) has increased 66 percent. Some experts say one reason could be the increase in computer usage. The experts don’t really know what causes nearsightedness; however, some believe it could be the result of too much close-up work like reading, looking at a computer screen, or texting on your cell phone. For most of us looking at a computer screen or a cell phone is a big part of our lives. So what do we do? Adjust your computer monitor to eye level. If it’s too high you have to open your eyes wider to look up causing more drying effects. Position the screen away from a window to avoid glare. Use desk lamps instead of bright overhead lights. Take a break once every hour; and look away for a few minutes.

Eat Right and Exercise! If we eat a well balanced diet and get plenty of exercise we will reap all kinds of benefits. This goes for our eyes, too. Eating one to two servings a week of nuts rich in omega-3 fatty acids lowers the risk of age-related macular degeneration which is a leading cause of blindness. Regular exercise also helps to decrease this risk along with helping to prevent diabetes which can affect eyesight. Get moving three or more times a week.

See your Eye Doctor! Get eye checkups on a regular basis beginning at age 40 if you’ve never had eye problems. Start sooner if you have a history of diabetes or high blood pressure; or if you have a family history of glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. Treatments for eye conditions range from contact lenses to eye drops to surgery. Ask your regular physician for a recommendation if you have a problem; and choose your eye-care professional wisely. Ask your eye doctor when and how often you should get checkups.

We hope you have found these hints and tips informative; and hope you will take care of your eyes. After all, they are the only pair you have!

Hints for Making that New Year’s Resolution Last All Year

One third of January 2011 is already gone. Is your new year’s resolution long forgotten? If so, maybe you could use a little help. Here are some hints and tips for helping you stick to your resolution; and get the results you desire.

Give your resolution an overhaul. Maybe the problem is that your resolution is too broad or too vague. Saying “I will lose weight” isn’t specific enough. Saying “I will give up junk food” or “I will exercise three times a week” gives you a defined goal that is easier to achieve.

Record and review. Write your resolution down; and keep it in a place you will see every day. Constantly reminding yourself of your goal makes it easier to pass on that donut or get on the treadmill.

Limit the number of resolutions you tackle. It’s better to do one thing well than to do a lot of things poorly. Ultimately, if you have too many resolutions and none of them are turning out like you expected; you will lose interest and give up.

Be realistic about your goals. Don't set yourself up for failure. Lose 50 pounds in a week? Nope! Lose 10 pounds in a month? Better!

Make a plan. If your diet is loaded with junk food and your resolution is to give it up; does the thought of going cold turkey send you into a tizzy? Don’t think “I just can’t do it”; and get discouraged. Decide to give up just one item a day until your diet is junk food free.
Ask for help from friends and family. You’ll be surprised at how much easier reaching your goal will be. Maybe you have a friend or family member with the same goal; and the two of you can work together.

Surround yourself with good influences. If you’re trying to lose weight; don’t hang out with the friend that always eats at fast food restaurants. Tell all the naysayers to keep their negativity to themselves.

Set incremental goals; and reward yourself. If you’ve decided to stop smoking and you haven’t for a whole month; give yourself a reward. Get a massage; or see a movie.
No matter what goal you have set for yourself; it will take dedication and determination to reach it. Changing any behavior is not easy; but certainly possible. Read more hints and tips at Psychology Today. We say go for it; and have a great 2011!

Cleaning The Cuisipro Spray Pump

We noticed people were searching our website for information on cleaning the Cuisipro Stainless Steel Spray pump. Here is what we found out from Cuisipro. Hand wash only. Fill ½ full with hot tap water and add a drop of liquid detergent. Pump 10 times and spray for 10 seconds. To rinse, repeat with fresh hot water.

We felt washing the bottle out first with soapy water and rinsing; to rid any excess oils etc; before following the above instructions would be a good idea. Also we recommend rinsing instruction should be done at least twice, so as not to leave any unwanted flavors in your spray pump.

Spray pumps are becoming more and more popular in the household. Because of their convenience and use of air instead of propellants. Propellants can add an odd taste to your food. Another big reason they have become popular is you can use different types of oils without buying 5 cans of different spray “flavors”. You noticed we said “flavors”. With the spray pump you know you are getting pure olive oil or vinaigrettes. Enjoy your food with peace of mind when you use a spray pump. We hope this information helps! Find more details about the Cuisipro Spray Pump here .

Tips for Making Good Gravy or How to Avoid Making Wallpaper Paste

This week’s hints and tips article is a little bit different than most of our postings. Our company name, Hubcaps and Gravy, is sometimes misleading making people think we sell hubcaps; or we are a restaurant. If you have taken a look at our website you know that neither is correct. One person even asked if we are a country style restaurant that serves food on hubcaps. Weird, huh? Well, apparently an establishment exists that actually does offer up food on a hubcap; so I guess his question wasn’t too far fetched.

Given the confusion, we have had some requests for information on how to make gravy; so last week my husband asked me to write instructions for making gravy. Here’s some basic gravy making hints and tips to help make your holiday meal a hit.

Taste, Taste, Taste! This step is important when making anything. You have to add and taste constantly. Add seasonings or ingredients in small amounts, then taste. You can always add more; but you can’t take flavors out once they’ve been added.

Salt is the key to the best flavored gravy. Start with about 1/2 tsp. for 4 cups of liquid. Then sprinkle in a tiny bit at a time, stirring and tasting until it’s just right.

You only need a small amount of fat to make lots of gravy, about 1/4 to 1/3 cup.

The secret to dark, rich gravy is dark, rich pan drippings. Let the drippings evaporate into a dark brown glaze during roasting, but don't let them burn. Whenever the pan looks dry, moisten the drippings with more stock, wine, or water so they don't scorch. The darker and heavier your roasting pan, the darker and richer the drippings. Aluminum roasters make wimpy drippings.

Heat your stock or low sodium broth before adding it to your gravy. This may mean dirtying an extra pot, but it’s worth it. This is one of the best ways to insure that you won’t have lumpy gravy. Also, use a wire whisk to stir the gravy to avoid lumps.

General rule of thumb for gravy is 1 tablespoon of fat and 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour for each cup of liquid. The flour can be adjusted depending on whether you prefer a thicker or thinner gravy, more flour for thicker gravy. Per 1 cup of liquid, use 1 tablespoon flour for thin gravy, 1 1/2 tablespoons for medium-thick gravy and 2 tablespoons for thick gravy.

Turkey Gravy

Once you have removed your turkey from the roasting pan, pour the pan drippings into a fat separator. Leave any browned turkey bits in the pan. These add great flavor to your gravy. If you don’t have a separator just use a heat proof measuring cup. Let it sit for a minute or two until the fat rises to the top. Pour the turkey juices back into the pan. If you used a measuring cup skim off the fat with a spoon, then pour the remaining juices into your pan. Too much fat in the gravy makes it taste greasy. You need about 2 cups of juices for this recipe. You can add canned chicken broth to make 2 cups, if needed.

Place the roasting pan on your stovetop. It will most likely cover two burners. I place mine on the side of my stovetop with the largest burner. This way I can use just the large burner to cook my gravy.

Next, make a slurry. In a separate container with a lid, shake together 3 tablespoons of flour and 2 cups of cool broth. You can use cooled turkey broth or canned chicken broth. Either works just fine. If you don’t have either, you can use water. The important thing is that it is cool before you mix it with the flour. Adding the thickener to your gravy in this manner helps prevent lumps from forming.

Now, turn on the heat under your roasting pan; and bring the juices to a nice steady bubbling boil. Slowly add the slurry mixture to the pan while using a whisk to stir constantly as it is added. If your gravy starts to thicken too quickly, stop adding the slurry mixture. You may not need the entire slurry mixture. If your gravy is too thick you can add more broth; or if it’s too thin you can add additional slurry mixture.

Reduce the heat to a simmer; and continue to cook for about 10 minutes. Undercooked flour tastes raw. Add salt and pepper to taste. If your gravy has lumps or you want to remove any turkey bits, you can strain it through a sieve before serving. Add cooked chopped giblets, if desired. Pour into a warmed gravy boat or pitcher, and serve.

Note: This recipe can also be used to make roast beef gravy. If you are making roast beef gravy, you can substitute canned beef broth for the canned chicken broth.

Use these hints and tips; and practice to become a great gravy maker. Click here for my recipes for Sawmill Gravy and the southern treat, Chocolate Gravy along with more information on how I learned to make gravy instead of wallpaper paste. You will also find my recipe for Frog-eye Gravy (aka Red-eye Gravy) and a great folklore tale.

Helpful Tips for Buying Christmas Gifts on a Budget

Budgeting is mandatory in hard times. Running up credit card debt this Holiday Season is not the answer. Our hints and tips, low prices, creative ideas, and smart budgeting will help you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year WITHOUT ADDED DEBT!

There are easy ways to stay within your weekly budget and still give everyone a gift; BUT, you need to start today. We are going to show you two easy things to start doing today; and also, show you gift ideas that will help you stay within your budget.

1. Do you visit Starbucks or your local coffee shop on your way to work everyday? Skip it and save $5 to $8 a day. In just two weeks that’s $50 to $80 you can spend on gifts.

2. Take your lunch to work instead of eating out. That’s a savings of $50 to $100 a week. In just two weeks that’s another $100 to $200 in your pocket for buying gifts.

With just two easy steps you have between $150 to $280 to spend on Christmas gifts without increasing your budget one penny. For you it might be skipping the movies a few times or going out to dinner. A few sacrifices now will save you a lot later.

$150.00 Shoestring Budget Gift Ideas

Gift for Baby - Caterpillar Grasping Toy by Melissa & Doug - $9.98
Gift for Preschooler - Alphabet Nesting & Stacking Blocks - $12.98
Gift for Girl - Melissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Piggy Bank - $9.98
Gift for Boy - Air Puck Hockey Game - $13.98
Gift for Girlfriend or Wife - Fresh Water Pearl & Turquoise Chandelier Dangle Earrings - $17.98
Gift for Female Friend - Blush Pearl Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals - $9.98
Gift for Male Friend - Fleur-de-lis Pendant Leather Cord Necklace - $8.98 Sold Out
Gift for Computer User - USB 2.0 Hub Robot - $17.98
Gift for Hostess - Silver Birch Leaf Votive Holders - $14.98
Gift for Mom - Floral Handbag with Bamboo Handles - $12.98
Gift for Dad - Red Ice Cream Scoop & Stack - $15.98

Total $145.78

That’s 11 Great Gifts for less than $150.00!

$280.00 Big Budget Gift Ideas

Gift for Baby - Phoenix Crochet Baby Blanket - $30.98
Gift for Preschooler - Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box - $24.98
Gift for Boy - Turbospoke Bike Toy - $18.98
Gift for Girl - Melissa & Doug Bake & Decorate Cupcake Set - $19.98
Gift for Girlfriend or Wife - Peridot & Sterling Silver Necklace & Matching Stud Earrings - $43.96
Gift for Female Friend - Phases of the Moon Handmade Necklace - $21.98
Gift for Male Friend - Sterling Silver Eagle Necklace - $19.98 Sold Out
Gift for Computer User - USB LED Lamp & Fan - $19.98
Gift for Hostess - Take 2 Red Apron - $26.98
Gift for Mom - Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Cups - $29.98
Gift for Dad - USB Travel Shaver - $19.98

Total $277.76

That’s 11 Fantastic Gifts for under $280.00!

Some helpful hints and tips, a little sacrifice, and a few good ideas will help you have a more relaxing enjoyable holiday season without adding credit card debt or increasing your budget. Don’t procrastinate! Start using these guidelines today. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tips for Serving Turkey to a Turkey

You’ve just spent days cleaning, decorating, and cooking in preparation for the big family holiday celebration. You are excited, exhausted, and a little worried. Will your mom hover over you while you prepare the meal, telling you everything you are doing wrong? Will Grandma hound your thirty-something sister incessantly about when she will marry and have a baby? Will your dad insist on carving the turkey while waving around the carving knife in front of your new husband? Will Uncle Billy drink too much and tell Aunt Martha the reason she never married is because she looks like the rear end of a buffalo? What do you do outside of hiring a family therapist to be in attendance? We have a few hints and tips that just may help keep the peace.

Family members who try to help by telling you where you are going wrong usually mean well, especially moms and dads. If the torch has passed to you to host the holiday festivities mom and dad may be feeling a little left out or useless. This could be the underlying cause of their well meant yet unwanted “help”. Let them be helpful. Think about it beforehand; and put them in charge of a task that will keep them out of the kitchen. Ask dad to serve the drinks; and mom to set the table in the dining room.

One of our best helpful hints is that some topics should be avoided like the plague such as politics and religion. However, if someone does tread into these waters and a heated discussion arises; try not to take sides. If asked your opinion, sidestep. An answer like “I’m much too busy enjoying my meal to voice an opinion on that right now” can diffuse the situation by bringing the involved parties minds back to the meal.

No matter how hard you try to keep some family members from going at it; there seems to always be those two cousins who just can’t seem to stand each other. The best thing to do is keep them apart. Seat them on opposite ends of the dinner table. Put them in separate rooms if possible. For more dos and don’ts on seating arrangements, read “Top Tips for Successful Seating Arrangements”. If they still seek each other out so that they can have their annual argument, then so be it. Just go with the flow. Unless they try to draw everyone into their drama or start to throw punches let them be.

Use the shock factor. If you’ve gently tried to direct a conversation gone wrong into another more uncontroversial area and nothing seems to work, blow them out of the water by asking if they had sex this morning. If that doesn’t work, lie. Yes, we said lie. Say “did you know Aunt Martha is having an affair with a man half her age?” Even though you know it’s a lie you will get everyone’s attention; and the conversation will move in a different direction.

Probably our best tip of all is to use humor. Laughter helps everyone relax and have a good time. That is what it’s all about, isn’t it? Whenever you sense that a discussion is headed in the wrong direction, try to inject some humor. Most families have funny stories that make everyone laugh. Remember the time Holly fell in the creek; or when we were chased by killer bees at the fair? Trust me, it was funny! There’s nothing wrong with planning ahead and having some stories or jokes in reserve.

For more helpful hints read “Every Family Has A Turkey - Tips for Keeping the Peace”.

If you’ve tried all our hints and tips and mayhem still breaks out, pull up a comfy chair, sit back, and enjoy the show. There’s always next year, right?  More Hints and Tips