The holidays are a magical time replete with gifts, Christmas cookies, and gatherings with friends and loved ones. But as anyone knows, family members can quickly wear out their welcome, and holiday calories can soon have you eyeing a diet for your New Year's resolution.

Don’t become a Grinch this season. Read through our survival guide and make it through the holidays in one piece.

Talk to a relative that you don’t know that well. 

Take photos of your drunk relatives and tag them on Facebook.

Bring a friend.  Not everyone has somewhere to go during the holiday season.

Stay away from political conversation.

Sit at the kids’ table.  Who cares about grown up talk anyway?

Be a good sport if you get a gift you don’t like.

Create a new family tradition, such as playing a sport or creating a new gift-exchange regimen.

 Keep calm and carry on.  You only get to see some of these people once a year, so make the most of it.