Is the holiday spirit truly found in the carols, or in the inevitable family feuds that erupt before the first course is even served?

In A User’s Guide to Christmas (Gebrauchsanleitung für Weihnachten), Daniel Glattauer provides a hilariously sharp and unexpectedly tender roadmap through the minefield of the holiday season. From the high-stakes politics of the guest list to the competitive sport of gift-giving, Glattauer examines why Christmas provides such a fertile ground for conflict. This guide doesn't just list the crises; it offers survival strategies for everything from kitchen disasters to the dreaded family sing-along. With his trademark Austrian wit, Glattauer transforms the stressful traditions of the "fest of fests" into a source of comedy, helping readers navigate the festive chaos with their sanity—and perhaps even their family bonds—intact.