5 Messy Holiday Party Situations And Exactly How To Deal

Out-of-town visitors, present shopping, a schedule packed with parties—the holiday season sure is a busy time. During all of the hustle and bustle, a messy situation or two is bound to arise, and that’s okay. From red wine spills to gifting goofs and beyond, not to worry: With a little bit of planning, you can troubleshoot less-than-ideal holiday party situations with these smart strategies. That way, you can go back to enjoying the most wonderful time of the year, whether you’re a host, guest, or both.

First, know you have the right to say you’re not comfortable being asked certain questions about your body, politics, or life. Hopefully, this honesty will shut down the line of questioning entirely. If humor is more your style, you can defuse the situation with a pithy but respectful response. You can also try changing the topic entirely by recruiting an ally into the conversation and introducing a new line of questioning. 

Stock up on The Laundress Stain Solution and The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternative, which can be used to create a powerful stain-lifting paste. First, soak up as much of the stain as possible by gently blotting with a clean dishcloth or lint-free towel (avoid paper towels, which leave behind lint and can exacerbate the stain). Then follow one of these step-by-steps depending on the type of item and fabric affected. For white linens like Grandma’s, The Laundress Whites Detergent is your holiday hero. Crisis averted.

Holiday Hack: When young kids are overtired and overstimulated, they sometimes act out. The holidays can certainly heighten those feelings, especially if your kiddo is meeting new people and in unfamiliar settings. Prevent tantrums by making sure your child is as well-rested as possible. And if an outburst does occur, stay calm and remove your child from the situation. Once you’re both out of the spotlight, ask a few pointed questions to get to the source of your child’s anger. Give them a little space and time but don’t give into demands—it can set a bad precedent for the future.  

Holiday Hack: Gift-giving and receiving is tricky, especially when someone you don’t normally exchange gifts with goes rogue and hands you a package. It’s far better to focus on gratitude in the moment, instead of responding out of guilt. Thank the gift-giver right away. When you’ve had some time to process the gesture, follow up with a thank you note and then you can decide whether you really want to reciprocate—there’s no obligation. If you’re the “better to give than to receive” type, you may find it handy to stock up on some small general gifts—hot cocoa and a mug, a big box gift card—just to have in case this situation arises.

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