6. Treat the day like a special occasion
Christmas deserves better than you being a couch potato in your trackie bottoms. Make the day feel special and you’ll be rewarded. Ask everyone to dress smartly, switch off the TV, stockpile the board games, take it in turns to tell a story and swap overhead light for candlelight. The atmosphere will intoxicate you as much as Grandma’s eggnog.

7. Let everyone help
Don’t be a martyr. Let everyone do their bit to help the day run smoothly and you’ll have more time to enjoy yourself. Don’t feel the need to be a domestic slave as well as a goddess, either – no one will care if your mince pies come courtesy of M&S or that you’ve run out of wine. Well, they might mind the last one…

8. Have a change of venue
If you’re a long-suffering host, move the venue. Either ask someone else to take a turn or head for a local hotel or restaurant. You’ll be fed and watered without lifting a finger – and there’ll be no washing up either!

9. Just say no
If you really can’t face another Christmas Day with the rellies, then be brave and tell them you have other plans this year. Not an easy one, and be prepared for some sulks, but if just the thought makes you feel bad then there’s only one course of action... spending the day in another country is probably wise!

10. Grin and bear it
If all else fails, keep a smile pasted on your face and remember that the sales start tomorrow!