Aren't families great? It's lucky you only have to see some relatives once a year.

Unfortunately Christmas often creates an explosive cocktail of stress, interference, alcohol and simmering resentment.

Even the most patient person can feel themselves start to lose it when Uncle Bertie tells the same story that he rolls out every year and the mother-in-law starts to pointedly whisk the gravy.

Try and arrange time away from people, either in the kitchen or on a long walk. Having people to help can take some of the stress away, but equally having too many people in your way when you're trying to prepare food can be annoying.

For some people Christmas is a sad time as they have no family and so can feel lonely. Don't be afraid to ask friends if you can join them for Christmas. Nowadays it's common for people to spend the time with friends rather than family.

If you really want to get away from it all, consider booking a trip over Christmas. All the relatives can stay in the same hotel, meet for Christmas dinner and then do their own thing for the rest of the weekend.