Friggin incredible...In-laws Christmas on Sunday.

[GRWatcher]

Turn your phone on airplane mode and do not turn it back on until youve watched the whole game. Also ask everyone around you to please not mention anything about the game if they might look up the score or anything.

 

So set your dvr and then change the channel before you leave to the disney channel or something so you dont accidentally turn it on and see highlights before accessing the game. (I've got experience at this poo if you cant tell)

 

I worked the night of the Pats game on MNF. Told everyone I knew to NOT text or call me during or after the game. Set the DVR and added an hour to the end time (just in case it went to overtime, etc). I did remember to not leave the tv on ESPN.

 

No one I worked with that night cared about the game so no worries there. Then I turned off my phone. Turned off the radio in the car for the drive home. Did not even approach my computer. I was 2 hours behind watching the game but that was fine because it was all new to me. And scooting through commercials was a joy. My son left me a voice mail without giving away any of the game and he sounded so depressed he had me thinking we had lost. lol he said it sounded that way because he was trying so hard to not whoop & holler when we won.

 

Cat Fanboy, you can change when the DVR stops recording and add time without having to record the next show. I DVR all the games, even the ones I watch in actual time, and I always add 30 minutes to the recording time. Seldom do football games end on "time".

 

[CatMan72]

If they really love you, they'll forgive you for bailing on them. 

[Chaos]

Uh, he did say "in-law's family".  Fug them, they aren't blood, you owe them nothing (except eternal thanks for the offering of their daughter to you).

 

This is often a dilemma I face every year, on one of these dreaded late-season Sunday's.  And to make it even worse, my wife's family doesn't even care about football, or sports in general.  I have a hard time understanding that, and I will never relate to it.

 

This Sunday, it was proposed we have Christmas with the wife's family.  I said it had to be at our house, and I would prefer a breakfast instead of lunch and we will gift exchange around 11, they can be on their way around 1.  This was agreed to, and everybody wins.

 

Stand your ground, flop your junk out on the table to prove you're a man if you have to.  But by God, a game of this magnitude, with this much on the line, against this filthy opponent - let nothing stand in your way.

[Peppers90 NC]

drink a can of motor oil the night before, it will suck but at least you can get out of going anywhere and can watch in real time

[CPcavedweller]

My family knows if it's a big panthers(playoff or something as big) game they know there better be a tv on it

I'm in that boat.

[Jackofalltrades]

I'd tell I can't make it, period, end of the damn story.

[The Luv Sponge]

Same deal here.

[PhillyB]

if your family gave a poo about you they'd let you watch it or even join in on it. it's only a couple hours and it's a huge part of american culture so it's not like you'd get bug-eyed incredulity that someone would be a football fan

[Davidson Deac II]

My family is doing it right.  Women are going out shopping on Sunday, while the men watch football.

I did tell my wife I would meet her for a Movie Sunday night, after the game. 

[Upper Deck West End Zone]

Just venting...Family > Panthers but seriously who plans family get together on our biggest game of the year??  NO way I can get out of it.  SURE- I'll be DVR'ing it but I'm going to hate going over there and 'half assing' watching the game piece meal...THEN I get to go thru the whole "dont say anything about the game" and hoping none of my friends friggin text me until I get home "God knows when" and watch it.

 

sigh.

 

Even if you DVR the game and go for a total media blackout, I guarantee your mother-in-law will tell you the final score. She will ruin everything.

[PghPanther]

Time for a stomach virus.................stay home and watch.

[SCP]

My wife's side is driving down from Michigan for Christmas. Solution? I bought 8 additional tickets and we are going to the game Sunday. Family is one thing but I'd rather drop some coin to keep the family together and watch the game than half ass watch it. Happy holidays.

[CardiacCat]

Just lay down the law.

 

Tell them that you are absolutely down to take part in any plans that they may have made, but that you are devoted to the Panthers and you will be watching football during that time. 

 

Dont dance around it. You are watching it regardless, so best let them know in advance.

 

that is my approach.......  make sure they don't make the same mistake next year  !!!

[mbarbour21]

Same here, except it's my family. Game will be on the tv bout 2pm when we get back from eating to exchange presents. BE STRONG, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.