As the festive season approaches many ladies are having the same fear; bringing a new boyfriend home and introducing him to their loud, dysfunctional and sometimes crazy family for the first time, much like the scenes in hit TV sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys.
Christmas on Female First
In order to alleviate your fears we’ve compiled some simple tips to make sure that the first meeting goes as smoothly as it possibly can do, drunk uncles and inappropriate aunts aside.
Prepare him – tell him the good, the bad and the ugly
It is imperative to let him know what to expect. Who’s going to be there, how you celebrate and prepare him on the family dynamics.
Let him know if there are any subjects which are off limits
Every family there are issues which should be approached with caution, lest a long and unpleasant debate ensue. If you have a recovering alcoholic at the table, for instance, your man’s casual remarks about happy hour would make him seem insensitive.
Talk to him beforehand
Give him reassurance if he need’s it and let him know that you are the only one who matters.
Prepare yourself
Breathe. Bringing your boyfriend home for the first time is a big moment! Try not to stress over every little thing that could go wrong. Chances are the visit will not be perfect (as first time meetings never are), but it could still have a great outcome.
Take it easy on the alcohol at all times
People often think drinking will ease all tensions and make everyone jollier. Instead, it disables people's manners, amplifies underlying moodiness or resentment, and encourages them to do things that are ridiculous, inappropriate, or offensive. So have a glass of wine or two with dinner, but cut yourself off after that. And if your boyfriend has a tendency to overindulge, ask him to make an effort to keep himself in check. If he has trouble pacing himself, suggest that he commit to having two glasses of water — or three — for each alcoholic drink.
Embrace Christmas
The Christmas holidays should be filled with happiness and love, especially when spending them with the people you care about most. So stop worrying and enjoy getting together with your family and reminiscing about Christmases past and future Christmases to come.
Make Sure Everyone is Included
It seems simple enough, but it’s often forgotten. Remember that your boyfriend won’t necessarily know all of your family’s holiday rituals, so he’ll most likely decline to participate. Make sure to include him anyway, and if you want him to become a part of your family, treat him like he’s part of it already
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