8 tips for meeting your partner's family for the first time during the holidays, according to relationship experts

pulse

November 15, 2018 6:25 PM

INSIDER spoke to relationship experts about meeting your partner's family over the holidays. Here's how to make a good impression.

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partner's family
partner's relationship with their family

Spending the holidays with your partner's family for the first time can be an opportunity to get to know important people in their life, partake in new traditions, and grow even closer. It can also be stressful to feel like you're being evaluated with every move.

INSIDER spoke to relationship experts to find out the best ways to make a good impression while still feeling like yourself. Here are eight tips for meeting your partner's family over the holidays.

Make sure your partner has your back.

Bring a gift.

Find someone you click with.

Finding points of connection with a relative can help you feel more comfortable. If one of your partner's family members works in the same field as you or shares one of your TV show obsessions, seek them out.

Offer to help.

Feel out your partner's family.

Learn more about your partner's relationship with their family.

Listen to what people tell you.

Take relatives' advice with a grain of salt, especially when there's alcohol involved, but don't ignore red flags either.

Be yourself — modified.

Tatkin said that putting your best foot forward doesn't have to mean trying too hard.

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