Maneuver your way through the trickiest reunion hitches and come out of the season with your Christmas spirit intact.
Challenge: The Family Weight Watcher
The relative who pops up once a year and every time, has something to say about your physical appearance.
Deal with it: While you might want to snap back at this relative to check himself in the mirror before making a comment about how much weight you’ve put on. Before retorting, take a deep breath and count to 10 in your head. This will give your rage some time to peter out, and it will also give that relative enough time to scoot away when he gets absolutely no response from you.
Tip: Answer back that your weight is proportional to how happy you are (and this will go whether the consensus is you’ve gained or lost—either way, you look how happy feels). This may or may not be true, but it’s enough to get people to quiet down.
Challenge: The Relationship Status Stalker
The relative who is never satisfied with your current status in life. When you’re single, she’s worried you’re not attached. When you’re attached, she’s worried you’re not married. When you’re married, she’s worried about your family.
Deal with it: Talk about something (anything) that’s amazing about your life because you’re in the place you’re at. The single ones can talk about their fun solo travels. Those in short or long term relationships can something wonderful their partner did. And the married ones can discuss the joys of wedded bliss.
Tip: They probably just want to know you’re okay. Prove them you’re more than okay wherever you are. If all else fails, turn the tables around and ask them about their relationship—they’ll be tickled pink at the chance to talk about themselves.
Challenge: The Baby Monitor
The relative who wants to know when you plan to have children, if you plan to have children or if you plan to add to your string of children.
Deal with it: While you would like to tell anyone who asks that your progeny is your business and no one else’s, chances are the older relatives won’t take it all that well. As in all reunion situations, use this opportunity to highlight something positive about your current status—something true that cannot be questioned and should not be questioned by anyone else. Delight in your five year old’s accomplishments in kindergarten. Single folk can talk about how the money that would’ve gone to tuition is instead, giving birth to a brand new business.
Tip: Anyone’s mindless comment about your personal life is just a reflection of their own personal issues and drama. If this is a sensitive issue for you, surround yourself with the relatives who you know aren’t prone to biting remarks.
The Blue Leaf Filipinas offers guests a new venue to host parties, corporate events and intimate get-togethers for friends and family. With our modern take on classic Filipino traditions, we can help you forge new bonds and create new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Filipinas at 632-9188 or visit
filipinas.theblueleaf.com.ph for more information