4 Zodiac Signs Who Are Most Likely to Cause Holiday Party Drama (& 2 Who Will Calm Everyone Down)

The holidays aren't the holidays without a little drama, whether you've burned the pecan pie brownies or had to endure a heated interrogation about your dating life. But who’s really to blame for all the social drama that goes down during the festivities? When we look to astrology, there are a few cosmic characters who are stirring up more than just hot chocolate. Here, read about the four zodiac signs most likely to cause chaos at holiday parties, and two who are bringing us all back together for the white elephant exchange.

Most Likely To: Deliver a brash, but hilarious joke at your expense.

Our Aries friends are a slot machine of original ideas. Once a joke pops into their brains, they can't help but to blurt it out. These fire signs are action-oriented, not consequence-oriented. So as you’re going in for your third glass of spiked eggnog, Aries advises you against drinking too much, like the time you gracefully threw up on stage at your college graduation. Sure, Aries’s humor might insult, humiliate or infuriate. But our favorite firecrackers embody the phrase, “If you don’t like it, you can leave.” And trust us, you won’t want to. Grandma’s horrified expression was totally priceless.

Most Likely To: Launch into an impassioned political diatribe.

The existential thinkers of the zodiac don't stress over the small, insignificant dramas unfolding around the party table. Instead, Aquarius watches them play out like a detached observer. Their usual holiday M.O. is engineering an intricate string light display or playing with their newly-gifted VR headset. But everything changes when Aquarius’s strongly-held beliefs are challenged. When Uncle Jeff yells out an uninformed political statement he read on Facebook, Aquarians can’t help but retaliate. These brainy air signs will pull out all of the facts and figures in their long-winded monologue. (We say monologue since no one else would dare counter their masterclass in socioeconomics.) Vegan gingerbread cookies, anyone?

Most Likely To: Subtly critique your wrapping paper.

Let’s be clear: Virgos want the best for you and your party guests. The earth signs will arrive early at your front door with a bouquet of poinsettias and homemade (healthy) cookies in hand. But they can sometimes go too far in their pursuit of perfection. We all know Virgos are planners. They have a clear picture of how they imagine events will progress, with little room for deviation. For the big holiday feast, they’re envisioning a warm, inviting tablescape, well-seasoned dishes and intriguing conversation. So when things go even slightly awry, Virgo might just have to point it out: “You chose store-bought challah? That’s cool, but if you’d have told me, I would’ve happily brought my homemade recipe.” Virgos are always thinking of ways to help you host, but might just stress you out more in the process.

Most Likely To: Take offense that no one has complimented her fancy side dish.

Listen, we love Leos. They’re generous, entertaining and protective—traits we welcome at any family gathering. But these zodiac lions are renowned drama queens, so don’t be surprised if they throw a fit because they feel like their fancy side dish didn’t get enough praise (or worse—because cousin Cheryl dared to bring the same one). Sure, there are other delicious spreads on the table, but these sun-ruled signs are built to feel as though the party revolves around them. So, do Leo a favor by complimenting their hair or crowning their charcuterie board as the best app at the gathering. Leo may spend the rest of the evening pining about being underappreciated otherwise.

Most Likely To: Carve the tension like an electric turkey knife.

Geminis are mutable air signs—and all that air makes them positively buoyant. These playful signs bring a lightness to strained encounters or heated squabbles during the holiday festivities. Gemini can find common ground with just about anyone. And with quick, communication planet Mercury as their ruler, Gem can put their sharp wit and racing mind to good use here. Is your cousin locked in a prison of questions about when she’s going to have kids? Gemini can set her free by directing everyone’s attention to the hand-painted ornament across the room (and a funny story about its origins...even if it’s made up). These creative wizards can bringing concepts, ideas and people together like magic. And this holiday season, we’re thankful for their uncanny ability to distract us. 

Most Likely To: Get everyone on the dance floor.

Maybe everyone is still quietly simmering from a family debate over climate change or they’re all about to pass out after devouring that delicious Thanksgiving Day turkey. This doesn’t mean your carefully coordinated bash is a bust—so long as you have a Pisces in the room. These intuitive empaths are all about breaking down barriers between people. The fish of the zodiac will happily interject with a lighthearted party activity or impromptu craft before tempers flare again (a good old fashion round of Charades or “Would you rather…” is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces). And don't forget: Pisceans are ruled by Neptune, a planet symbolically linked with the dance arts. If you cue up that 2000s playlist, Pisces will pull you onto their imaginary dance floor in no time. Crisis averted.