Christmas is magical. Apparently, you're in charge of making it happen.

Somewhere between buying thoughtful presents, answering the family group chat and locating enough chairs, the most wonderful time of the year becomes a surprisingly demanding position.

The benefits include leftovers. The hours are unclear.

In Bah Humbug, Pass the Eggnog, Emrick Donvell explores the funny truths about the holidays that rarely appear on a Christmas card: decorations that require maintenance, guests who arrive early, relatives with questions about your future, and office parties where "optional" attendance receives considerable encouragement.

Across twenty comic chapters, everyday festive situations become sharply observed stories about good intentions, questionable decisions and adults trying very hard to enjoy themselves properly.

Inside, you'll encounter:

• Gift recipients who want "nothing" but somehow remain difficult to buy for.
• Christmas dinner advisers who arrive precisely when you need them to leave the kitchen.
• Matching family pyjamas and the exhausting pursuit of one relaxed photograph.
• Holiday romance that looks considerably easier on television.
• Traditions nobody remembers choosing and resolutions made by an excessively optimistic version of yourself.

With dry wit, conversational storytelling and affection for the people causing the trouble, this Christmas humour collection finds laughter in the gap between festive expectations and ordinary human behaviour.

A seasonal read for adults who enjoy Christmas, question parts of it, and occasionally retreat to another room for a moment's peace. It also makes a thoughtful choice for Secret Santa exchanges and readers who appreciate a little sarcasm with their celebrations.

You can love the holidays and still need to sit down.

Preferably before somebody asks you to move the chair.