With the Festive Season fast approaching, this is a joyful time of year for many across the world. As a couple, this can also be one of the most magical times you share. From picking the perfect tree to visiting a festive market to exchanging gifts, there’s an abundance of romantic activities to enjoy during the festive season.
Why do couples argue more than usual during the festive season?
Behind all the festivities, the festive season can be an extremely stressful time and has been known to put a large amount of pressure on relationships. With this in mind, Lovehoney has partnered with a relationship expert to provide tips on how to navigate your relationship during this time. Relationship expert Ness Cooper from The Sex Consultant explains some of the reasons for our tendency to argue more as a couple during the festive season;
Relationship expectations
During festive periods, there are a lot of expectations and activities that divert us from our everyday day-to-day life. Couples argueing more is due to how their usual routines are disrupted and there is not only hope for making it perfect, but pressure from other families and peers to fulfill expectations to make this time of year magical.
These expectations can go against our individual beliefs, and strains can emerge between a couple’s worlds colliding and differing. On top of this, the festive season adds an extra financial burden, which can result in extra conflicts and worries.
10 top tips for relationship survival during the festive season
These are my 10 tips for relationship survival during the festive season.
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Develop new traditions together
During the festive season, we have our own traditions that are often separate from our partners, forming new traditions together can help you bond more over the festive period.
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Keep some activities just between you and your partner
It can be tempting to fufill every festive social event, but making sure you and your partner are able to enjoy some festive time with just about each other will help keep this time of year special for both of you.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash freestocks on Unsplash
3. Don’t compete with presents
When giving gifts, it’s not how much someone spends on another that makes it special, but the meaning behind it. Competing on the price of presents can not only mean you may receive fewer personal presents, but it can cause conflict and tension. Remember, it’s not about the price of something, but how you share affection when giving gifts that count.
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Have some ‘you’ time
Remember that having some ‘you’ time is still important, and doesn’t make this time of year any less special when you take a moment to yourself.
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Try not to overindulge too much during the festive season
Too much drinking and too much food can both affect our judgment and performance. If you’re planning on some festive bedroom explorations, make sure you don’t overeat or drink beforehand so you both can fully enjoy it.
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Don’t let your family disrespect your partner
I hear about this one a lot from couples, where the conflict starts with other family members. If your family is treating your partner negatively, speak up rather than let it continue. Generally, family members will treat them nicely afterward, and you will gain extra relationship points with your partner.
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Share tasks
If arranging during the festive season feels a bit one-sided, see where you can step in more to help. This not only will stop arguments and stress, but it will reduce tiredness, meaning you can put that extra energy towards some extra personal activities later on.
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Communicate
Make sure you take time to talk about things other than the holidays. Also, if conflicts do surface, take a moment out of festive activities and chat about them to see how things can be changed for the better.
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Make time for intimacy
You’re scheduling festive events, family activities, and everything else to do with the festive season, but this means sex can be forgotten. During this busy season, scheduling sex can help.
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Try not to get jealous of other couples’ festivities
It can be easy to look at other couples’ festivities and feel theirs is better. But while they may be different, one couple’s festivities are no better than another’s.
Summing up
Stepping back and being mindful of you and your partner’s festive season can help you see that your festive season is just as good as others.
