While that might all be laid on a bit thick, the truth remains that Christmas and New Year can be difficult to navigate. Some families have barred adult children from holiday meals because they have ruined so many previous family gatherings. Being honest about it can help keep feelings of resentment in check and no-one wants resentment bubbling over on Christmas day. Could you agree to get together every second year, so you can do your own thing every other Christmas? Gretchen Rubin (author of The Happiness Project) has some sensible advice about family gatherings.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 24, 2017 15:11 UTC