How to Survive Hosting Family For the Holidays

A good rule of thumb: if you don't want it broken, don't leave it out. Same goes for any kids' toys that they'd freak out if something accidentally happened to.

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Certain dishes, like casseroles and desserts, can be made the day before and refrigerated. The less you're scrambling to prepare the day of, the better.

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That cranberry and brie souffle may have looked totally easy during that 30-second Facebook video, but now is not the time to attempt anything new. Stick with what you know, and you're more likely to avoid potential food disasters.

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Seriously, garnish is a thing for a reason — a quick sprinkle of parsley or a sprig of rosemary can take your finished dish from "meh" to "mouthwatering" (well, in appearance, at least). Nothing could be easier!

If your holiday guests will be staying for more than the afternoon, double check that you've washed enough towels, purchased enough snacks, and got plenty of toiletries on hand. Bonus points if you put these things in your guests' bedroom so they don't have to bother you for them.

Nobody's suggesting you've got to have alcohol to have a good time, but it didn't earn its reputation as a "social lubricant" for nothing. A glass of wine or Champagne or a cocktail can take the stressful edge off.

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Worried about your kids (or someone else's) not sitting still at the dinner table or hurtling through the house like freight trains? Make sure they have an opportunity to get some physical energy out beforehand, whether it's playing outside, running through the basement, or just having a dance party in a bedroom. They'll burn off some steam, work up an appetite, and be much more likely to chill out when it's time to sit.

Nothing skyrockets the stress level like a mad dash to get everything finished and greeting guests at the same time. Schedule everything to be done a little ahead of time (or appoint someone else to take care of those finishing touches) and take a few moments to breathe deeply, tidy yourself up, go to the bathroom, or do whatever else you need to do.

Sometimes when you've got a grandiose idea of how something should turn out, you're bitterly disappointed in the way it does unfold. So take some stress off of yourself. If nobody burns down the house or gets food poisoning, consider it a success.

There's a time and a place to get into debates about hot-button issues, and a holiday shindig probably isn't the best one, especially if your family members are sharply divided. Keep an ear open and quickly steer the conversation to something less polarizing — or, if need be, issue an outright ban on argument-inducing subjects. If they insist on debating something controversial, ask them to do it outside while enjoying the freezing temperatures.

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It's so easy to get down on ourselves about virtually anything these days, now that everyone's successes are plastered all over social media. Sure, Brenda's turkey looks like perfection on Instagram, but that golden brown is totally a filter. And Heather may have a Martha Stewart-worthy centerpiece, but her meal was a total disaster (are you supposed to be able to slice gravy?). So many factors go into pulling off a fabulous celebration, and we never know who's working with what advantages, so comparison only adds to the stress. Don't do it!

Above all else, make sure you take a few minutes to reflect on the holiday, the people you're spending it with, and the joy of togetherness (even if it comes with a few less-than-joyful parts). Don't focus so much on the garnishes that you forgot, but instead remember how lucky you are to have family that comes together.