That’s always a minefield with some families. One side of my wife’s family is so contentious, I refuse to share meals with them. I honestly don’t know how her dad remained so sane.
One day they will realize that autistic does not mean idiot. Just because we let people get away with things doesn’t mean we’re stupid it means we’re studying them.
Nothing like that for us. We emigrated to Canada about 7 years ago (took us 14 to get it all together). Now its “Do you think the (favourite sports ball team) will win it all they year?” When we lived in the States and hosted these festivities we had to deal with born again racists and others. until we stopped inviting them. Our last years down there we invited friends instead of family and it was much better. Canadian Thanksgiving was great this year. Even the Maple Leaf fan and the Canadiens fan got along. USAian thanksgiving will be just us, one daughter (the other can’t get the days off and lives several time zones away) and the clowder/pack. A good time will be had by all. Hope you have one as well.
Always dreaded the obligatory holiday gatherings where they would start out ok and turn not so pleasant. Many times, as a kid, we would have to have two thanksgiving and Christmas dinners because the two sets of grandparents couldn’t agree to let one or the other host. We would start the day out at my mother’s parents house, where my grandfather would be in his room drinking, smoking and betting on whatever game happened to be playing. My grandmother’s brother would be fixing himself a brandy whilst explaining to my alcohol and drug council counsellor father that it was “purely medicinal”. We would then go to my dad’s parents house where it was actually (usually) a simpler gathering. Maybe the cousins would be there “if they could make it.”
Fast forward to married life and the gatherings became more regimented. The patriarch and matriarch were devout catholics and made sure everyone else followed whether they chose to or not. Games weren’t a choice. You played them regardless of whether you felt like participating or not and there was always money involved. If one person won more than the “house” (aka patriarch) they had to be cheating. It was always a tense time. Fortunately, there was a period where I had jobs that put me on call and, somehow, many times I was on call during these events and just “couldn’t leave town”. XD
Today, it’s just the missus and myself and things are very lowkey.
Kiba65 2 months ago
That should make for an interesting get-together !!!!
MeanBob Premium Member 2 months ago
That’s always a minefield with some families. One side of my wife’s family is so contentious, I refuse to share meals with them. I honestly don’t know how her dad remained so sane.
momofalex7 2 months ago
Why is it that “we” are the only normal ones in the family?
Zykoic 2 months ago
F’family
blunebottle 2 months ago
And let us give thanks for family.
Melki Premium Member 2 months ago
Great idea! Everyone will get mad, go home early, and you can enjoy a quiet evening with plenty of leftovers.
juicebruce 2 months ago
Must be nice to be perfect ;-)
bluecat 2 months ago
Recipe for idiot racist?
Slowly, he turned... 2 months ago
A real slice of Americana, Just like a Rockwell painting.
uniquename 2 months ago
…and sit at the other end of the table.
ladykat Premium Member 2 months ago
Sounds like a plan.
Milady Meg 2 months ago
“…and go out to eat.”
FassEddie 2 months ago
Better still, don’t invite them over. Life’s too short to suffer fools.
Daltongang Premium Member 2 months ago
Ah yes, the holidays, where dysfunctional families come together to make headlines for the normal people after the holidays.
BeBadenov Premium Member 2 months ago
They’ll be surprised how much they have in common.
Thehag 2 months ago
Perfect. Gotta keep the advice columnists employed.
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 2 months ago
One day they will realize that autistic does not mean idiot. Just because we let people get away with things doesn’t mean we’re stupid it means we’re studying them.
Moonkey Premium Member 2 months ago
It’s nice to have entertainment with dinner.
Teto85 Premium Member 2 months ago
Nothing like that for us. We emigrated to Canada about 7 years ago (took us 14 to get it all together). Now its “Do you think the (favourite sports ball team) will win it all they year?” When we lived in the States and hosted these festivities we had to deal with born again racists and others. until we stopped inviting them. Our last years down there we invited friends instead of family and it was much better. Canadian Thanksgiving was great this year. Even the Maple Leaf fan and the Canadiens fan got along. USAian thanksgiving will be just us, one daughter (the other can’t get the days off and lives several time zones away) and the clowder/pack. A good time will be had by all. Hope you have one as well.
Aimless Melissa 2 months ago
Who’s stuck sitting next to the two judgmental hosts?
dsatvoinde Premium Member 2 months ago
Always dreaded the obligatory holiday gatherings where they would start out ok and turn not so pleasant. Many times, as a kid, we would have to have two thanksgiving and Christmas dinners because the two sets of grandparents couldn’t agree to let one or the other host. We would start the day out at my mother’s parents house, where my grandfather would be in his room drinking, smoking and betting on whatever game happened to be playing. My grandmother’s brother would be fixing himself a brandy whilst explaining to my alcohol and drug council counsellor father that it was “purely medicinal”. We would then go to my dad’s parents house where it was actually (usually) a simpler gathering. Maybe the cousins would be there “if they could make it.”
Fast forward to married life and the gatherings became more regimented. The patriarch and matriarch were devout catholics and made sure everyone else followed whether they chose to or not. Games weren’t a choice. You played them regardless of whether you felt like participating or not and there was always money involved. If one person won more than the “house” (aka patriarch) they had to be cheating. It was always a tense time. Fortunately, there was a period where I had jobs that put me on call and, somehow, many times I was on call during these events and just “couldn’t leave town”. XD
Today, it’s just the missus and myself and things are very lowkey.
wildlandwaters 2 months ago
any relatives I have are a million miles away, so no worries here!
willie_mctell 2 months ago
This year we don’t have to be with some non-blood relatives we’ve spent a few less than memorable T Days with.
Smeagol 2 months ago
An Affair to Remember lol
Zebrastripes 2 months ago
So ☹️ sad people have to judge on one’s political views.
We have a rule at our family gatherings…no religion and politics…..
But there’s always a few who make snide remarks. Can’t seem to shut their mouths .☹️
amethyst52 Premium Member about 1 month ago
If you’re going to be a jerk stay home and eat crow.