The Christmas season is full of wonderful events that don’t occur during the rest of the year. Besides all of the religious services and school pageants and civic events, most extended families have at least one large gathering, where a feast is prepared and presents are exchanged. It can be a wonderful time to renew relationships and reacquaint with family members from near and far.

But for many parents, these gatherings also carry their fair share of stress. Often, it’s the first time parents have been able to introduce their youngest children to members of the extended family. Often, it’s the first time parents have seen uncles or cousins, since they were children, themselves. Though connected by blood relation, people are often more self-conscious at these gatherings than they are, mingling with strangers.