It only happens a few times a year: Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and maybe a few birthdays here and there. These are the times when, if your parents are like mine and love to host everything at their home, the entire family and extended family descends on your house. These holidays seem to bring people out of the woodwork of the old family tree and are either eagerly anticipated and worthy of a chocolate advent calendar, or they are dreaded and looked at with the mindset most college students have towards finals week. Sometimes it's a combination of both. But it is always crazy, loud, full of hugs, and prying questions from relatives that you most likely haven't seen since the last family gathering. I adore my crazy family. But I do not use the term crazy lightly. Here are my best tried and true survival tips for making the best out of these family holiday festivities.

1. Use the buddy system!

When scuba diving, you're always supposed to dive with a buddy, so if you get in a sticky situation, they can get you out. This same concept applies to the holidays. My sister and I have mastered this. When being plagued by questions about what you want to do with your life, whether or not you have a boyfriend, and whether you have been eating enough/too much while at school, just shoot a look at your buddy across the room, and they can swoop in and save you. This strategy is deployed at least 2-3 times each occasion, and I've never been so thankful for siblings in my life.

2. Stuff your face with food.

These sort of gatherings seem to always be filled with mass amounts of amazing food that is laid out buffet style all over your kitchen. Eat it. Eat so much of it. Being a college student, I have learned to take major advantage of any chance I can get to have home-cooked food. The holidays are no exception. Plus, all the amazing food in your stomach will help you handle all the sangria that you will inevitably be consuming. Which brings me to my next point.

3. Drink.

My family keeps a massive amount of sangria out and available, maybe yours does beer, or wine, or maybe even a full bar. Whatever it is, take advantage of it. I always laugh because as certain family members start to arrive, the sangria level seems to start to drop at an exponential rate. We all have that one family member who just doesn't get it. Trust me on this one, a glass (or 4) of sangria will help you deal with them, and their questions, and crazy behaviors that make you want to send them back to wherever they came from. Plus, everyone else is doing it, just look at grandma, there is a reason she is sitting on the couch, and I promise it has something to do with the empty glass beside her.

4. Perfect your stock answers to inevitable questions.

"So what do you want to do after you graduate?" "Do you have any boyfriends yet?" "Why don't you? What's wrong with the boys at your school?" " So, what is your major again? Oh, and you are sure that you will be able to get a good job after school with that?" The questions are endless. And they are always the same awkward and dreaded questions. And they are asked over, and over, and over, by what seems like every person there. I have found that it is best to keep a stock set of answers for each question in your back pocket. That way you can pull it out, and then make your retreat before they start asking deeper questions that you definitely aren't prepared for.

5. Don't look like you just rolled out of bed.

If you look even remotely decent, your family members will most likely shower you with compliments. I mean, that's what grandmas are for, isn't it? Why wouldn't you take advantage of that? A chance to feel awesome and have people tell me I'm pretty? Okay, I'm in!

6. Enjoy it!

Your family may be absolutely insane, but they love you. And maybe against your best judgment, you love them, too. Don't hesitate to give and receive limitless hugs. Enjoy your time with these people because you don't get to see them all the time. Let loose and laugh. There is always bound to be lots of laughter and smiles, join in. Don't go sit on the couch and try to not engage, because you will regret not making the most of your time with these people who love you so much. Eat, drink, and be merry!

Happy Holidays, Ya'll!