When we’re young, Thanksgiving with the extended family is relatively easy. All you need to make it fun is more Reddi-wip than your sister or an early Christmas present from a great aunt whose name you don’t remember.

But as we get older, getting through an entire day with distant relatives becomes more of a challenge. It’s not that we don’t all deeply love our 45-year old cousins 4th removed who we only see every 7 years. It’s just that repeating what you do for a living 35 times in one day is about as fun as the hangover you wake up with after you and your friends spend Wednesday night trying to drink like you’re still in college.

Ironically the secret to surviving both your holiday headache and a sitdown dinner with your full family is the same.

Booze.

You’ve seen these kinds of drinking games before, so you know the deal. Grab your beverage of choice- we recommend local beer, wine, or your dad’s $170 bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label- and drink any time:

What rule would you add to this list? Leave a comment below letting us know, and remember to always drink responsibly.

Too lazy to spend Thanksgiving cooking? Here are a few of our favorite places that are open and will do the work so you don’t have to:

Le Diplomate (1601 14th St NW)

Bidwell (1309 5th St NE)

Maxwell Park (1336 9th St NW)

1789 (1226 36th St NW)

Bibiana (1100 New York Ave NW)