Having all the family in one place, with the niggling disputes artificially put on hold and the added fuel of alcohol and late nights can lead to a miserable time for all. Factor in today’s extended families, with ex-husbands and wives, new partners and step children to satisfy, and there is a whole other dimension to a “family Christmas”.

The role of host, chef, waiter, cleaner AND peacemaker usually falls to us mums for the duration and having spent the previous month planning menus, gifts and sleeping arrangements with military precision…it’s a wonder we look forward to the month of December at all! So here are just a few suggestions to help the holiday season remain more festive.

• Delegate tasks…there are a million and one basic things to do, so write notecards before hand and hand them out to the kids and husbands…table laying, sprout peeling, bed making, the list is endless! You could even write a letter FROM Santa, requesting these tasks be completed…its amazing what they will do for the Man in Red!

• Don’t try to please everyone all of the time. Write down the important “goals”…seeing the In-laws, step kids, parent, certain friends….but don’t try to fit too much in. It’s also ok to say “no” occasionally…if completing an obligation we couldn’t turn down is stressful, maybe it would have been better to not do it at all.

• Try to keep tiny children occupied with an early present of a video or game…this will leave you at least an hour free to complete other tasks.

• Home shopping….the saviour of stressed mums everywhere! Think ahead; give enough time for delivery and wrapping, but it will save you days of wrestling with the masses in busy malls. Far more choice, far less stress!

• Exercise can be a great form of stress relief…even if it’s because the men take the kids out to work off some energy whilst you stay and cook! Don’t under-estimate the power of fresh air.

• Diet plays an important part for everyone…for the kids limit the amount of sugar and additives. For the adults, limit the amount of alcohol. Too much of either will only lead to trouble.

Above all, stay calm, enjoy yourself and remember, Xmas is only here once a year.. so make the most of it!