The Dreaded Family Christmas

[CantBelieveImHere]

Hi,
I have taken on board everything from my previous thread and have gone NC with my DB (dickhead not darling) and the first time I have seen him since was this weekend at a family gathering.
Unfortunately for me he followed be around trying to provoke me but just gave him short answers and walked away.
I am now mostly living with my DP (certaining darling) so I have avoided all confrontation with him but the dreaded Christmas gathering is soon approaching. DM will expect to see us all at on boxing day but normally I would have spent the day there but no going NC with DB I don't want to be around him anymore than I have to. Unfortunately DM is in the mindset of we're family and we must MUST get on and I do love her dearly but she doesn't understand why I want NC with him.
Also the other issue is presents as DM kicked of majorly when I didn't get him a card for his birthday so much so I relented as it was less stressful.
Thanks for reading you useful amazing lot x

I haven't read your pt. get him a crap card and crap present, no thought put into it. Lynx is coming to mind.
If you'd like to go, turn up at 2pm leave a 4pm as you have a headache.

Sounds like you've got it well in hand with greyrocking DB.

The advice I would give you to support what you're already doing and succeeding with - Stop thinking about it. I know you can't control when a thought pops up but just gently ignore it. Distract yourself with something useful or fun.

Don't spend another second of your life on it. The reality is, you are more than capable to deal with DB dickhead antics on the day and in the place he does them.

Outside that, if DM starts harping on, just say something neutral like "Can we just move on please" or even "I've said I don't want to talk about this, is there anything else you want to discuss?" And follow through. Eventually the penny will drop that you're serious about the grey rock stance on absolutely everything relating to DB.

Well done and good luck!