Christmas can be a time as great as any other to enjoy as a couple or, on the contrary, it can become a real source of problems.
Christmas can be a time as great as any other to enjoy as a couple or, on the contrary, it can become a real source of problems. Decide if you will attend a family lunch or dinner, if they will be held in your own home, if it will have to be divided between the two families and choose the specific dates in case it occurs, etc. These are just some of the issues that tend to cause the most disagreements in couples.
If everything goes well, Christmas will also go well
As happens during the summer, a large number of psychologists confirm that Christmas is a time when many couples make the decision to separate in some way. Having more days off to spend together, together with different issues that arise during these times, makes them realize that there are underlying problems that have not been resolved and that end up coming to light. There are even couples who make the decision to contact psychological centers specialized in couples therapy on these dates.
However, if the couple has a healthy relationship, based on respect, understanding and good communication and they do not carry unresolved issues between them, the dilemmas they may face at Christmas will not have to involve deep discussions or, much less, a breakup.
Psychology Alicia Peralejo
Any option is valid
The first thing to do is to raise the question of how family lunches and dinners are going to be celebrated some time in advance. Thus, the topic can be approached with calm, foresight and without the tension that may appear as the key days approach.
In general, there is a tendency to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with the family of one of the members of the couple and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve with that of the other. However, the options may vary if, for example, some part of the family lives far away, the couple decides to spend a holiday alone and away from their usual place of residence, there are children from previous partners, etc.
Therefore, the truly important thing is not to choose the majority option, but to be aware of the personal situation you are going through and raise it openly to find the solution that works best for the couple.
Spending the main holidays each with their family in case there is not a good relationship with in-laws or bringing both families together in a neutral space if they know each other and get along well may be some options to consider. In any case, the essential thing is that both have listened, understood and accepted their spouse’s reasons, without pressure or resentment, and have managed to reach said agreement.
Photo by Morguefile
