The festive season all too often strains good manners to the limit. Everyone is expected to behave well on this much-hyped special day, but claustrophobic family get-togethers and over-indulgence can easily lead to tension, cross words and disharmony.

Follow these simple rules to avoid a Christmas Day crisis.

1. Don’t be a Scrooge, approach the day with an unerring smile, an optimistic outlook and positive feelings of goodwill. Remember, it’s only one day out of 365!

2. If you’re the Christmas host, beware the tendency to just do your own Christmas rituals (“We always go to midnight mass, open our presents at 11am, eat our lunch at 2pm” etc.). Try and make tentative suggestions (“We normally eat at 2pm, is that OK with you?") rather than confident pronouncements, so that your guests don’t feel like they’re being frog-marched through a time-honoured routine.

3. Grandparents and members of the older generation, even if they’re doting, will soon begin to wilt if they’re cooped up for hours on end with raucous, over-excited children. Always try and provide a quiet space, where the grown-ups can retreat for a restorative drink and civilised conversation.

4. Christmas is a special day for small children and you should do your best to accommodate their excitement. Don’t inflict agonisingly long meals on them – they’ll be anxious to get back to their presents, and you don’t want to feel frazzled by unhappy kids.

5. Pace the day. Spread out the main events (present-opening, lunch, games, TV) to ensure there aren’t too many hiatuses.

6. Always react with surprise and delight, no matter what you’ve been given. Lack of taste is regrettable but it’s not a criminal offence, so you can take the time to be gracious and thankful.

7. Lay on generous supplies of champagne or sparkling wine. Glasses can be dispensed throughout the day when spirits are flagging.

8. If you’re a Christmas guest, be punctual and arrive on time, also leave when required too.

In General how to make a good first impression

Key Points: You have just a few seconds to make a good first impression and it's almost impossible to change it once it's happened. So it's worth giving each new encounter your best shot.

You can do this by following these eight strategies:

1. Be on time.

2. Present yourself appropriately.

3. Be yourself.

4. Have a winning smile.

5. Be open and confident.

6. Use small talk.

7. Be positive.

8. Be courteous and attentive.

To learn more about hosting, having confidence in social settings and running high society events or even just attending. We can teach you all the information you require to be the top of your game

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