How not to ruin chr istmas

We presented some of our thorniest family-over-the-holidays

dilemmas to the Winter Stroll author…

QMy (new!) husband and I have four separate Christmas celebrations to go to on the 25th. How do we manage this marathon of holiday eating without offending anyone? “Short of a complete escape, my advice is to schedule four visits: late breakfast, late lunch, cocktails and dinner. Start with the parental unit you like the least and then move up the food chain so you can end with the one you like the most and linger at the end of the evening.”

QMy daughter is threatening to tell her little brother that Santa Claus doesn’t exist—unless I get her the latest musthave Barbie. Teddy’s only three! “There are so few advantages to being a child, and believing in Santa is one. Appeal to your daughter’s innate sense of goodness and allow

her to be your coconspirator in keeping the secret alive for him.

If that doesn’t work, then, yes, by all means, cave. It’s just a doll.” n