You thought Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan had it bad in that movie Four Christmases? Those chumps have got nothing on me. I had seven Christmases to attend, spanning over eight days.

My boyfriend and I both have divorced parents, plus he has a huge extended family on both sides. We visited all four sets of parents over four days, which meant driving from London to Port Stanley to Delhi (east of Tillsonburg), fi nally ending up in Cambridge for my mom's extended family's Christmas. That's a lot of turkey.

You might not be in the same situation — maybe you only have one or two holiday celebrations to attend — but I've come up with some tips that can be used by everyone to avoid feeling overwhelmed this holiday season.

FUNK-IFY YOUR ROAD TRIPS
It may sound like a simple suggestion, but making a special playlist or mix CD for the car can make your travels a whole lot smoother. Skip the usual holiday songs, because you'll hear enough of those at the parties. Pick some classics and some new favourites to keep your car groovin' — it's how we ended up with the Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic Planetary" as our Christmas theme song that year.

DON'T PIG OUT
The first party was an all-you-can-eat extravaganza of turkey, mashed potatoes and other seasonal delights. Totally delicious the fi rst time around, but by the time we made the buffet rounds in Cambridge, the sight of foods that had been my favourites just a few days prior made me want to hide under the table. Planning to pace yourself and not gorge on your favourites can save you a few tummy aches and ensure you'll enjoy those dishes every time. Making an effort to try something new at every party can also really spice up your usual holiday fare and can help keep you from piling your plate with the same thing every time.

FEEL GIFTED
Rather than trying to buy individual gifts for each member of your extended family — whom you may not know very well — why not buy a "family-sized" gift? This doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money; donating in the family's name to a charity that may be meaningful to them makes for a much better present than a box of chocolates.

KNOW WHEN TO GO
Part of my party problems stem from the fact that I just don't know when to leave. My boyfriend and I have worked out a secret signal that lets the other know we're ready to head home. It'll make us feel like spies, plus we won't burn out on parties so quickly because we won't feel as though we're trapped there.

Another bit of advice is something I picked up from a blog: the best way to leave a party is to look as though you're having the time of your life. Heading out the door with a big smile will leave the host feeling as though you've had a great time.

SPEND TIME ALONE TOGETHER
One of our biggest problems that year was that, despite spending virtually every moment near each other, my boyfriend and I hardly spent any real time together. Every minute was spent hanging out with other family members. Making some time to spend with just your signifi cant other — or alone — is a great way to relax, take a little break and de-stress, even if it's just for a few moments in the guest bedroom with a cup of tea.

CATCH SOME Z'S
There's no faster way to party burnout than not getting enough shut-eye. Getting plenty of time to sleep will keep you chipper no matter how many parties you have ahead of you. Don't let party time cut into your sleep time.

As stressful and exhausting as the holidays can be, it's fantastic to be able to spend so much time with our families. Whenever you get overwhelmed or just need a break, this is the best tip I can offer: remember you're surrounded by love.