It’s a time to be merry and jolly. It’s also a time for many family gatherings, and surviving irritating extended family members. Here’s how to handle them all.

Aunty Busy Body

Profile: She’s usually armed with sweets, and so seems sweet and innocent. But she’s also hiding sinister intentions. She is the one in the family who’s “genuinely” interested in your life, except she always sounds judgy-wudgy. Why are you still single? Do you have a baby yet?

How to avoid: One-worded answers do the trick. It’s annoying, and the right cue for her to hush up and walk away.

Uncle Drunk

Profile: He never really contributes anything, but if he does it’s the supply of alcohol. Uncle Jack Daniels starts out fun (even funny), but many times things end up rather awkward or even inappropriate.

How to avoid: You can lock yourself up in your bedroom. Or you can have fun with it – take pictures and videos of him in his drunken state to show him when he’s sober. But should you not want to get into trouble, option one is best.

Complainer

Profile: “The chicken’s a bit overcooked.”; “I don’t like over-cooked chicken.”; “Why did he get me this perfume?”; “We all know someone like this.”

How to avoid: This can get tricky, because all you want to do is throttle them? Earphones! It may seem snarky, but the person does need to find out how tiresome they are.

Queen Misery

Profile: Also known as Ruby Gloom. She is the dark cloud no matter how many rainbows, butterflies and unicorns you try to show her.

How to avoid: Run!

The Brag

Profile: Like the trinkets on the Christmas tree, this dude likes to shine. He has an iPhone and a Blackberry, drives a flashy car, and won’t stop talking about them. Oh! He also has debt for days and still lives with mommy.

How to avoid: Show disinterest. There’s nothing wrong with showing success, but shoving it down people’s throats like a dry piece of pie is not going to get you on people’s favourites list.

The Borrower

Profile: This is the one who travels around without a cellphone charger. You also get those who ask for money after hearing about your new job. They’ll even use the products left in your bathroom or ask to wear your clothes. Uhm…no!

How to avoid: Personally, I Iock away any valuables and bathroom products.

Enjoy your festive season and remember to be safe out there.

Follow me on Twitter: @_Sheilan_