Wishful Thinking Works

12 Ways to Survive Family Holiday Gatherings

The Wishful Thinking Works “12 Ways to Survive Family Holiday Happenings” can help you avoid prickly holiday moments!

If you are heading to a family gathering soon, but do not always see eye-to-eye with all of your loved ones about touchy topics such as politics, religion, child-rearing, sports, lifestyles, who should bring what, or even the weather – this post is for you.

I am sharing my Wishful Thinking Works version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” which I wrote in 2010 after being inspired earlier in that year by author and life coach Marianne Ford. (I have updated my version for 2023, just a little.)

Marianne reminded me that being right isn’t a right and sometimes conversations and life go better when, instead of sharing our wisdom, opinions, advice, or rebuttals – we simply listen and respond with a friendly, “I hear you.” or a non-committal but respectful “Ah- huh,” Wow!” “Okay,” or “Really?”

In other words, when respect is present agreement is not a necessity. We can change our experience and the conversation by using Marianne’s tips to transform debates into discussions and boring exchanges into interesting encounters.

I can always use a bit of help around this time of year, so I wove Marianne’s thoughts and some of my musings into . . .

“Wishful Thinking Works’ “12 Ways to Survive Family Gatherings” Works best if you sing along!🎼🎼🎼🎼

On the 1st day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me patience at the party,

On the 2nd day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 2 sacks of courage, and patience at the party.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 4th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 5th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 6th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 7th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 7 “That sounds interesting’s,” 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 8th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 8 “I-can-do-this’s,” 7 “That sounds interesting’s,” 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 9th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 9 “Okay.” “Wow!” “Really’s,” 8 “I-can-do-this’s,” 7 “That sounds interesting’s,” 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 10th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 10 “That sounds so frustrating’s,” 9 “Okay.” “Wow!” “Really’s,” 8 “I-can-do-this’s,” 7 “That sounds interesting’s,” 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 11th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 11 “Oh my gosh’s,” 10 “That sounds so frustrating’s,” 9 “Okay.” “Wow!” “Really’s,” 8 “I-can-do-this’s,” 7 “That sounds interesting’s,” 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

On the 12th day of Christmas my new perspective gave to me 12 “I lived through its!”, 11 “Oh my gosh’s,” 10 “That sounds so frustrating’s,” 9 “Okay.” “Wow!” “Really’s,” 8 “I-can-do-this’s,” 7 “That sounds interesting’s,” 6 “Tell me more’s,” 5 “Oh, that’s great’s,” 4 smiling nods, 3 “Ah-huh’s,” 2 sacks of courage and patience at the party.

Feel free to share the Wishful Thining Works updated holiday classic with your friends and family. It may help everyone’s holiday shine a bit brighter and feel a tad merrier.

(In case it comes up at a holiday gathering, the twelve days of Christmas are the evening of December 24/January 6 or December 25/January 7 – depending on the calendar, Julian/Gregorian, you are following.)

And, if you are now trying to remember the original lyrics to “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” here they are . . .

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Happy Holidays!

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