Six Relationship Issues That Stem From Holiday Stress
The Christmas holiday season can bring so much love and joy to our lives. It’s a time of the year when people connect with loved ones and celebrate their Christmas spirit with parties and presents. But unfortunately, that’s not the only thing it brings. For many couples it can also mean tensions can rise very easily, putting a lot of stress on their relationship.
Huffington Post made a list of the six top relationship issues that can pop up during the holiday season. Perhaps if you review them now, you can avoid them in your relationship this year:
- Holiday spending. Especially if you’re not honest about it, or you go way over budget. Between presents, plane tickets, parties, and decorations, it’s an expensive time of year. So make a budget together, and try to stick to it.
- Resentment over where you’re spending the holidays. They might say they don’t care that they always spend Christmas with your family every year. But they might secretly wish they have a year with their family.
- Drinking that gets out of hand. According to a recent survey we drink twice as much during the holidays. And that alone can cause drama.
- Holiday traditions that clash. Try to compromise, so one person doesn’t hog the holidays. Either try to incorporate both of your traditions, or do a trade-off, where one person takes the lead this year, and the other person gets their traditions next year.
- Drama with the in-laws. It’s easy for family stress to cause problems in your relationship too. Especially if one of you already has issues with the other person’s family (or even your own). So just be mindful of it and try to stay on the same team.
- Gifts that don’t measure up. For example… if one of you puts more effort into their gift or spends more than the other person. That’s why agreeing on a budget might be a good idea. Set a max of $50 or $100, and then stick to it.
And above all, try to remember the “reason for the season”. Cliche but true! Don’t get overwhelmed with the gift buying or the partying and instead focus on the true meaning of the Christmas holiday.
