The 7 Best Ways To Kill Time With The Relatives During The Holidays

2. Looking at Family Photo Albums

If your relatives are anything like my own, they relish regaling the days of yore. Indulge them with visual aids in the form of old family photo albums that make reliving yesteryear a bit less remote and painful for you. The photos will do most of the work by directing the conversation, all you have to do is point and ask questions about them: Who's that? Was it a big wedding? Is that why nobody talks to uncle Hal? Wait, aunt Lois' nose isn't real??—they'll just come naturally and roll off your tongue. It's a great way to learn about sordid family history and is actually good bonding time. [Photo via]