What to Do When Different Holiday Styles Cause Relationship Conflict Between You and Your Partner
In some relationships, partners have different holiday styles for religious or traditional reasons. That’s no excuse to have relationship conflict; it’s an opportunity to learn and share new experiences. Holidays can be challenging enough with lists, shopping, and other preparations. Adding different traditions to the mix can become even more of a challenge. To ensure everything goes smoothly during the holidays, here are some ways to avoid drama.
Communcation
Effective communication is key. When you communicate openly and honestly about what holidays are special to you and how you’d like to celebrate them, you open the door to better understanding. Relationship conflict may subside when your partner sees how special certain traditions are and wants to be a part of them. But, without communication, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, or unmet expectations can cause tension.
When you have different holiday styles, be flexible and not rigid. Be open to splitting time or sharing different traditions that are important to your partner. Keep a positive, agreeable attitude because the holidays should be fun, not stressful. Focus on ensuring your partner enjoys the holidays that are special to them.
Common Ground
To establish common ground, one communication technique, Empathy, Assertiveness, and Respect (EAR), developed by Dr. David Burns, may ensure that partners’ feelings are heard. Empathy means putting yourself in your partner’s shoes by acknowledging what they’re saying.
Also, you should respond mindfully and ask for clarity when needed. Assertiveness is saying “I feel” before statements that express your feelings to ensure a productive outcome. Respect is paramount in communicating with your partner. Actively listen and care about what they’re saying.
Agree to Disagree
It’s normal to disagree on holiday details like where to go and how to spend them. However, be open to considering different holiday styles. There are other ways to make meaningful holiday memories with your family. If you have children, they can benefit from learning both parents’ holiday styles.
It can expose them to even more love by sharing holiday styles with both sides of the family. Don’t dismiss learning traditions from other cultures or backgrounds. Make the holidays easier by being willing to make new memories together and end relationship conflict.
Make a New Tradition
When you and your partner have different faiths, the dynamic can be more challenging. Differing holiday styles can add to relationship conflict. However, keeping communication lines open fosters a peaceful household as you navigate your options. You may decide to share both holiday styles or seek ways to make them compatible.
You can create a new tradition that you’re both comfortable with. Another option is to spend time with both families and share their traditions.. You may even agree that you’ll spend some holidays alone. The main thing is that you both agree with the decision made. Resolving a relationship conflict in a way that pleases both of you is important, especially during the holiday season.
Unique Holiday Traditions
Holidays are typically all about family; however, when you prioritize each other’s desires and opinions, it’s okay to deviate from the same script. There are creative ways couples can strengthen bonds, celebrate, and make ordinary holidays extraordinary. You can create your own unique holiday. Instead of the set timed holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, you could create your own personal holiday that suits you both.
It can be any time of the year and a day to explore new adventures that you’ll both love. You can make it fun by making it a day of challenging each other in whatever way you choose. It may lead the winner to make the call on the upcoming holiday. You can enjoy travel time by going to significant places, like where you had your first date or other memorable locations.
You can even celebrate each other on a special day by making each other feel pampered all day. Spotlighting what your partner loves, whether it’s a spa day, movie, picnic, or candlelit dinner, is a great way to focus on them and make them feel appreciated. Relationship conflict can be a thing of the past when you prioritize each other rather than holiday styles.
Conclusion
Don’t let different holiday styles disrupt your enjoyment of the holidays. Overcome differences by communicating effectively, establishing common ground, and agreeing to disagree. Be open to making new traditions and even creating unique holidays just for you both. Avoid relationship conflict. The best tradition to uphold is staying happy, healthy, and whole at the end of the holidays.
