It's quickly coming up to Christmas time again. That wonderful time of year where the family is usually happy to be together and laugh together around a table full of roasted veggies and various animal parts, decadent desserts, presents, baubles and laughter. And you are raw. How will you fit into the mold? How can you feel comfortable with your families uncomfortableness?

There are a few things you can do to help yourself and your family enjoy Christmas day without worrying about the food issue.

1.) Give your host some notice. I know I know... this is going to sound like a no brainer right? I have to say it though... please don't turn up to your Mum's on Christmas day and announce yourself to be a raw vegan! It's going to shock the hell out of her and put her in a panic as she might not have anything for you to eat! Especially if her Christmas dinner is of the roast variety as opposed to the salad and cold meats variety.

2.) Offer to take your own. That's what I do! Take enough to share and have back up food in case your family likes your raw stuff so much there's none left for you! Find out if they are having a hot meal or cold. Then you can create your recipes around that to fit.

3.) Be prepared, get some good recipes and know what you are making in advance. Alissa Cohen's book Living On Live Foods is an amazing source of recipes that can be used or modified for Christmas which is why we have put her pack in as a special HERE. Christmas favourites from this book include Nosted Turkey, mock turkey loaf, salmon pate, mushroom gravy, broccoli with cheese (this is also great with cauli) and more.

The internet is an invaluable resource. Google is your best friend. If you are looking to replace your favourite recipe then google it alongside the word raw. For example search raw christmas pudding. You'll be surprised at what you find. Check out our Free Digital book too! There's loads of good recipes in there to get you going.

4.) One of the tricks to having a family comfortable with what you eat is to have confidence about it and to be sensible. In most cases the worst thing you can do is to get defensive, angry or upset as they may think you're deficient in some obscure vitamin or, worse,  in need of a drink! Stating simply that you are trying out a new way of eating and that it is working for you so far on this level, this level and this level and that if it doesn't work for you then you'll try something else seems to work better. If you are certain of your motives and your way of eating that will make them more at ease.

5.) If you are sensing that one family member in particular might give you more trouble thank you are willing to deal with, plan how you can get around it with ease in advance. Often there is someone else in the family this person might listen to if they won't listen to you so see if you can team up with a peacemaker. Give them a call first and ask for help in advance. They will feel honored that you have chosen to come to them for help and that you are doing your best to make this as easy for all as possible. 

A classic mistake most of us new to raw do is to try to push our ideas onto others. We do this because we feel so damned great and want our loved ones to feel just as awesome. But they usually don't appreciate it. Wait for others to ask you and take it from there. That way you are giving information to those who are ready and keen. But don't overwhelm people. If their eyes glaze over let them change the subject. If they turn it around and start having a go at you then change the subject. Unless you like a good argument. Then go for it!

Remember too that you can only do your best to make people comfortable with your choices. If after you have given adequate notice and explained patiently and calmly 'why raw' (perhaps even a few times!) someone wails “Aren't you even going to have a small slice of puddiiiiiiiiiing?” and bursts into tears, it's their issue. Not yours. Pass them a tissue.

What if everyone is interested but you are sick of talking about it? This happens too. Take some books and DVD's too if you have them. I carry some in my car to family events just in case anyone is seriously interested. Books with lots of photos take peoples breath away and there is usually someone from the family who loves to cook who is just amazed at what can be done with nothing but nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables.

So far this has been about you being a guest fitting into someone else's lifestyle. But what if you are the host?

Well that all depends on you and what you are willing to do. Are you willing to cook for your guests? If you are, then what are you willing to cook? If you are not cooking and you want to create a raw vegan Christmas then there are two basic options for you to choose from:

   1.You can tell them you are having a raw vegan Christmas and that they will have the meal of their lives and feel mighty satisfied.

   2.You can surprise them! Have some nosted Turkey huzzah!

The reactions will vary from family to family and family member to family member or friend to friend depending on who you are inviting over. Only you can guess how they will react. But you are the host of your own domain and they should respect your wishes in your own house. So, be confident and firm in your choice. 

 Know that you can put together an almighty great spread, fit for royalty. Practice meals in advance to check that you love them as much as you hope your family will.

Read your recipes now and see what you can prepare a day or two before hand. Write out a time line if that makes it easier. The Raw Food Celebrations book by Sheryl Duruz and Nomi Shannon has time schedules in it that you might find inspiring. Raw Food Celebrations tells you what you can do a week before, a day before and hour before and what needs to be done at the last minute. It's brilliant!

But most of all enjoy Christmas. After all, it's not about the food, or the gifts, it's about family. Let your friends and family know how much you love them and enjoy the spirit of the day.

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