Q: This doesn't mean that you should be happy if your mother-in-law criticizes you less than ten times an hour. However, it does mean that your spouse's family is not your own, and that his parents, siblings, and other family members may have traditions, beliefs, and perspectives that are quite different from what you grew up with. Your family probably seems just as weird to your spouse as his family seems to you; maybe his father isn't as much fun as yours, but he can be just as kind. Know that you're not going to have the amazing time that you expect to have with your own family, but believe that you can manage to have some fun if you don't expect amazing things to happen. Get used to the fact that your spouse's family is quite different from yours, which can include everything from their religion to their love or hatred for watching football during the big meal. You can't change your in-laws, but you can change the way you approach the ways in which they are different from your own family. Don't tell raunchy jokes if they are conservative, and don't talk about how much you love your gun if they are liberal. Remember that, while you are still family, you are still technically the outsider, and you should be the one who has to adjust to what they think is normal. The sooner you accept that you and your in-laws are different people, the easier it will be to stop being frustrated. This may be hard to remember when you're fighting with your mother-in-law about the right way to bake an apple pie, but in the end, the two people in front of you, however annoying or unpleasant they may be, have raised your spouse. They must have influenced him in some positive way and have given him some positive traits -- it's impossible to not be influenced at all by your parents, isn't it? The next time your in-laws annoy you just remember that they are the parents of your spouse, however imperfect they may be. Nothing will set the tone worse than complaining about the fact that you have to spend time with your in-laws in front of your spouse. How is this supposed to make him or her feel? Sure, your relationship with your in-laws may not be perfect, but if you already agreed to spend time with them, then what's the point of making a big stink about it? This will only make your spouse feel worse and will make him or her either lose faith in his or her family, or turn on you to defend his or her parents. Either way, it leads to no good. Think about it: how would it make you feel to hear your spouse criticize your own parents? Sure, you're aware of their flaws, but you love them with all your heart. At the end of the day, you'll go home -- or retire to the guest bedroom -- with your spouse, not with your mother and father in-law (thankfully). This means that you should stay on the same team as your partner, trying to make things as easy as possible for everyone and not turn on each other or pick fights. In the end, your partner is your best ally, especially during the holiday season, so don't turn on him because you're so unhappy about being where you are.
A: Adjust your expectations. Accept the differences. Remember that your in-laws made your spouse. Don't complain about hanging out with them beforehand. Remember that you and your spouse are on the same team.

Q: A blanket folded into thirds can remain styled in-place regardless of how many people sit on the sofa. Hold the throw out in front of you lengthwise and fold both ends of the blanket into the middle. You can then drape the throw blanket as-is or fold it in half to avoid one end dragging on the ground. Depending on your decoration style, you can drape the blanket on the cushions, arms, or back. Some throws (especially cable-knit blankets) look better with a little "organized dishevelment." Fold your blanket in half and drape it directly onto the sofa arms, back, or cushions. You can even toss it onto the sofa for a graceful-yet-natural look. Fold your throw in half length and then half once more. From there, you can drape it directly onto the arm of your sofa. Or, drape it over one corner of the sofa and position a throw pillow over the part that is on the front of the sofa. Not all throws need to be folded. Lightweight blankets look great folded, but thick ones (like sheepskin or wool) naturally look snug when tossed onto the sofa. Your sofa will seem pleasant and inviting enough to nestle in.
A:
Fold the throw into thirds if you value structure. Fold the throw in half for a rumpled look. Quarter your throw for casual styling. Position an unfolded blanket on the sofa to make it look comfy.