"Is there any way you can make "loud and obnoxious" more bearable? Maybe you can ask everyone to go for a walk outdoors, where it's acceptable to use outside voices. Turn on music and make it a dance party! Take mental notes on outrageous behavior as material to discuss with your husband after everyone leaves, and convince yourself that the chaos is part of your Thanksgiving tradition. Wear noise-reducing earplugs."
"Take the kids out to the yard to throw a football around or gather leaves for an art project, creating some distance between yourself and all the yelling. While discussing this letter with a few colleagues, Good Job columnist Laura Helmuth recommended karaoke, which I think could be a good outlet for all their boisterous energy. Whatever you choose, though, save your expensive wine to accompany your leftovers the next day, when you can actually relax."
Preventing relatives from drinking at a family gathering is unlikely to succeed. Controlling wine supply is impractical because guests will likely bring their own bottles. Several coping strategies can reduce the stress of loud, intoxicated relatives. Ask guests to go for a walk outdoors to allow louder voices without disrupting the house. Turn on music and make it a dance party to redirect boisterous energy. Organize activities for children outside to create distance from yelling. Wear noise-reducing earplugs and take mental notes to discuss problematic behavior with a spouse afterward. Consider karaoke as an outlet for excessive energy. Reserve expensive wine for leftovers the next day to enjoy peacefully.
Read at Slate Magazine
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