Q

After lunch and a few drinks, things always seem to get a bit heated around the table. Last year we even ended up arguing about Brexit. How do I manage to keep people off difficult topics?

‘It’s quite normal for festive tipples to end up leading people to say things they might not otherwise say,’ says Jo. ‘As the host, try to distract and above all don’t get cross as that will only escalate things. And if you’re a guest, don’t even think of getting into this kind of heated discussion!’