How to Survive the Holidays at Your In Laws

Ok, so I did not want to recommend illegal drugs to help anyone cope through the upcoming Christmas holiday, so here are some natural and legal ways to spend the Christmas holiday with your in laws.Let’s face it, spending anywhere from three days to a week visit your better half’s family is a sure fire way to gain a few gray hairs, put on a pound or two, and generally say or do something inappropriate.Even if you like you’re in laws and they are swell people, their beloved pets or lack of creature comforts can be tiring and stressful!

1. Keep Your Cell Phone Charged and Nearby!

If you get lonely, bored or frustrated at your in laws this Christmas then at least you can call someone who cares.You won’t even need the proverbial quarter.Anyway, your cell phone will keep you in touch with your family and act as a life line when you are about to go nuts!Plus, you can always resort to playing those awful games on the cell phone if no one is answering your calls!

1. Pack Something You Like to Do

I love to read, so I plan on packing about 5 books this year for the holidays.Call it a little Christmas present to myself.Hey, no one will look out for you if you don’t look out for yourself. If you are into video games, art, crafts, reading, music, or whatever then treat yourself to something special to take along with you.Your interests will allow you to temporarily escape the boredom!

1. For Goodness Sakes, Pack Your Own Pillow!

Nothing is worse than sleeping on someone else’s lumpy bumpy pillow!We all need our own lumpy bumpy pillow!If you are flying and think you do not have room for it then buy one of those plastic storage backs that lets you suck all the air out of it and flatten your pillow.Seriously, they are $9.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

1. Bring Something You Like to Eat.

For instance, if you are mildly (or strongly) addicted to Starbucks and you will be traveling to a small town that has not yet been taken over by the McDonald’s of Coffee, then for goodness sake, take some with you!I am a choco-haulic and have on occasion packed some to take with me.It was especially useful at my own grandparent’s home.They had different eating habits that did not tolerate eating between meals.I guess those were the skinny days of America!Seriously, there is no reason to be miserable.You habits and preferences are just as important as the person you are visiting, so take some with you!

1. Plan Activities You Like Ahead of Time

Seriously, take ten minutes of your life to go online and see what there is to do in your in law’s city.Better yet, ask your spouse if he or she grew up there.Sometimes there really is nothing to do.The local bars full of locals who want nothing to do with you can be even more stressful.I recommend sticking to the more touristy things if you are visiting a small back woods town.Save yourself a glare or two.Anyway, even the smallest of towns will have something to do.A coffee shop, an art gallery, or a small town square with shops.Wal Mart can even be a chance to get out of the house.

1. Get Some Exercise

Hey, exercise relieves stress, gets you out of a house where the old folks are keeping it 86 degrees, and may even keep you from gaining three pounds when you stuff a bag of chocolate down your throat in an attempt to hold back a sarcastic comment!Hope these all natural and legal tips to surviving the holidays at your in laws helps.I know I will be using a few this years!