Five tips for a positive first meeting with your partner’s family at Christmas

Meeting your boyfriend or girlfriend’s parents, siblings and extended family can be a nerve-wracking experience. But doing it at Christmas? Talk about laying on the pressure! Thankfully, there are strategies for making sure your first meeting with your significant other’s family is a success. Here are five tips for making a good first impression.

1. Do your research
Ask about the people you’re going to meet before you meet them. Try to memorize a few details about each individual. The idea is to use what you learn to start conversations and make people feel comfortable around you.

2. Be open
Every household celebrates the holidays a little bit differently. Be sure to participate
in your partner’s family traditions even if they’re unfamiliar to you. And don’t be afraid to share your own family’s quirky traditions. If your family always eats strawberry shortcake for dessert at Christmas, bring one along.

3. Help out
Make yourself useful. Asking a general question like “can I do something?” will usually result in a no. Instead, offer to do something specific, like walking the dog or setting the table.

4. Don’t arrive empty handed
While you probably won’t be expected to bring gifts for everyone, it’s always nice to offer a little something to your significant other’s parents and to whoever’s hosting the occasion.

5. Get out there
Don’t spend the whole time stuck to your significant other’s side. It’s best if you get to know people on your own. This will take the pressure off of your partner and will allow the family to get to know you outside of being the boyfriend or girlfriend.