We’ve got to stop drinking with our families at Christmas

There’s a common mistake we all make at this time of year, and although it might be seen as normal, it also needs to be stopped.

OPINION

The last thing any of us need to be doing this Christmas is drinking alcohol with our family members. Trust me, you’ll regret it.

Christmas in Australia has become synonymous with booze, and we have the beer advent calendars to prove it.

But why on earth did we ever decide this was a good idea?

It doesn’t matter how much anyone likes their family, there are always problems.

Someone didn’t invite someone to a wedding, someone started a theory that their cousin’s husband can’t read, and everyone wants to know how that sibling who doesn’t seem to work can afford a Mercedes.

Every family has stuff they don’t talk about in order to stay in each other’s lives, it is just the way things work.

Drinking with our family isn’t always the greatest plan. Picture: iStock

Learning what not to mention is the key to harmony, trust me, it’ll save you from finding mum having a stress cigarette by the bins because someone decided to ask what everyone thinks of the current government.

The secret to family unity is to not drop the television remote because they are expensive to replace and that will ruin dad’s week, and also to not talk about things that upset or divide people.

For the most part, I think most of us adults have become experts at this.

You get older and realise you’d rather have a good relationship with someone than be right.

You save your political discussions for people you don’t share a bloodline with; instead, you discuss safe subjects and steer away from what everyone thinks about Christian Wilkins wearing dresses.

Then the booze gets cracked open on Christmas Day, someone gets a little too stuck into the bubbles, and suddenly dad’s nipping off to the shed because you’ve offended him by saying “men shouldn’t be allowed to comment on that subject”.

Christmas lunch is getting cold, mum’s refusing to let anyone eat until dad returns, and things are getting so dire you’re stuck asking your cousin with that fancy job title what they actually do for a living.

There's a common mistake we all make at Christmas. Picture: iStock via davidf

Suddenly, the Christmas ham nan won at the local raffle in July that has been frozen, but she swears still tastes fresh, actually looks appetising.

See what I mean? Rarely any good comes from mixing booze with your brood.

Christmas is stressful enough; you’re faced with being stuck with the people you’ve perhaps worked all year to avoid, and you’re going to add alcohol into this? Does anyone want Uncle Dave’s inhibitions to be lowered?

The man is comfortable telling people they’ve gained weight when he’s stone cold sober. Do we really think this is the moment we want Aunty Suzie to let loose? She’s already sharing unfounded conspiracy theories on Facebook without indulging in the Christmas shiraz.

Christmas in Australia is always fabulous, but you can ruin it. Picture: iStock

The last thing anyone needs is for dad to hit the wines and think it is okay to insult mum’s choice in Christmas decor, it is never okay to insult mum’s Christmas decor. I know we’ve bought into the idea that drinking champagne makes Christmas festive, but what really brings cheer during the festive season is not ending up in the middle of a huge family fight because you’ve got stuck into the cocktails and decided to confront your aunty about that thing she said a year ago.

Why on earth should we add booze to the equation with people that have known each other their whole lives?

These people really know you and will bring up the time you dated a man who claimed he didn’t know who the Prime Minister was because he just wasn’t into politics.

The jolliest thing you can do this Christmas is stay sober and keep your opinions to yourself.

Trust me, it is for the best.