The hilarious and indispensable guide to coping with Christmas — whether you love it or loathe it. Christmas is looming. Will your mother-in-law present you with yet another hideous sweater this year? How are you going to cope with Granny’s pekenese or the undesirable in-laws? Has the row about where to spend the holiday already started — and it’s only August? Jilly Cooper has the answer to everything. Whether you should seek refuge in the cooking sherry or suggest a wholesome family walk, Jilly offers, in her own irrepressible style, sound but often hilarious advice about how to get through the roller-coaster ride we call Christmas. With the help of the perfect Christmas family — Scarlett O’Aga, the Xmasochistic housewife, her wayward husband Noel, his seductive mistress Ms Stress, their four delightful children Holly, Robin, Carol and Nicholas, and their dog Difficult Patch.