Christmas can be a challenging time for many couples for a variety of reasons. For some, they struggle with their finances, and they desperately try to find a way to purchase gifts for everyone on their lists. For others, it’s a matter of figuring out which Christmas traditions they’re going to observe, and how they’re going to keep everyone in their family happy that year.
Perhaps you’re struggling too, and once December rolls around, you know that there is going to be a lot of strife in your household. It doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s talk about a few of the biggest Christmas challenges, and how you can resolve them.
Finances
For many couples, money is an issue all year long. However, it can really cause problems during Christmas. Perhaps you’re not sure how you’re going to buy gifts because you just barely make it on your salaries each month. Or, maybe your spouse doesn’t pay attention to the household bills and is constantly spending money you don’t have for presents.
Money problems can drive you further and further apart if you let them, so come together and make a plan before they do. Even if you have to spend less than you’d like, get on the same page. Once you can agree, come up with a plan for next year too. You may only be able to set aside a small amount of money each week, but you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up. You’ll be less stressed, and more focused on enjoying the holiday.
Traditions
This is another area where many married couples clash. She wants to visit her parents on Christmas Day, but he has family who lives two hours away, and he wants to spend the day with them. How do you resolve this problem?
Communication is the key, and it’s important to come up with a solution that works for both of you. Discuss the possibility of lengthening your Christmas celebrations to include more than one day. Perhaps you could celebrate at home on Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, and then travel to visit family who lives further away the following day.
Marriage is all about compromise, so it’s important for you to listen to the concerns your spouse has, and be willing to bend a little to make him or her happy too. You might even consider starting your own traditions, right at home. Most importantly, work together, and listen to each other.
Christmas is such a special time of year, and it’s much better when you work together to solve the problems that might be causing you to dread it. If you’re struggling in your marriage, The Beaufort Center For Marriage in Beaufort, SC is here to help you. Or, if you live outside the area we can work together either by phone or video call. Call us today at 843-379-0288 or book your appointment via our online calendar.
This Christmas can be the best one you have ever spent together as a married couple. By focusing on each other, and coming up with solutions that work well for you both, you can end 2013 even stronger than you started. We would love to help you get there.
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