Family parties can be a strange combination of exhilaration, stress, and exhaustion. On the one hand, it’s a delight to see those relatives you haven’t seen in what seems like forever, but on the other, you might already be planning an escape route for when a controversial topic comes up, and you have to act as a mediator.
With several generations in the same room and everyone supposedly on their best behavior, the family gathering can be a feat to pull off. But while you might consider a qualification in online master social work to be your only option for survival, here are a few other ideas to keep the party light and fun.
Play Silly Games
If you need to break the ice and get everyone involved, there is nothing like a silly party game to set the mood. The key is to find a game that everyone can enjoy from grandparents to toddlers and this list from Buzzfeed is a pretty good place to start.
The best thing about silly party games is that you can all have a good time without worrying too much about steering away from potentially dodgy conversations. You can all just enjoy time in each other’s company and have lots of fun together. Family bonding like this is crucial for families of any size so don’t reserve these games for parties only!
Offer Plenty of Food and Drinks
Hosting any kind of party requires plenty of food and drinks but feeding the family party can throw up some issues. Not only will you need to offer plenty throughout the day, but you will also need to cater to the tastes of several generations!
The best solution is usually to put on a buffet with lots of cold components. This way, you won’t be stranded in the kitchen for the whole event, and there will be lots to nibble at over the day. Salads, quiches, mini sandwiches, and crisps are all loved at buffets and add in some simple oven-cooked delights such as chicken nuggets, chips, and pizzas, and you will be on to a winner. For deserts, you could try putting some cupcakes on the table and then invite the children to decorate them (fun for them, one less task for you!).
As for drinks, put a variety of soft drinks out for the kids to help themselves to and let the adults sort themselves out.
Try to be Tolerant
Having so many people in your home can be quite tiring, but with family, you don’t always get to choose who comes. This means that you need to be tolerant and accepting of whoever appears at your door. Family diplomacy is a learned skill, and if you really can’t hack it, as the host, you have the simple excuse ‘I just need to check on the food/ kids/ drinks’ to escape!
Family gatherings are never easy, but these people are still worth your time and your love. Give them a welcoming environment and all will be just fine!
