Tag: holiday

Do you and your spouse clash more than usual during December? If so, you’re not alone. Some couples find Christmas and Hanukkah to be festive minefields that explode into arguments sometimes followed by icy silences.

Paul resents Sandra for spending too much on the kids, again. Chloe is upset over Jeff’s insistence on spending Christmas Day at his mother’s—once more. Ann doesn’t understand why David finds the holidays hard. She gets impatient when he is sullen and withdrawn during times that she wants to celebrate and enjoy with others.

You and your partner went to a holiday party and your spouse made a joke about you to one of the guests, which made you mad, and now you’re in a fight. There is only silence on your drive home from the party, but upon your return home, the fight erupts into an all out battle, with every other hurt that’s ever happened in your relationship thrown at the other like lightning.

Or, it’s Christmas Eve and you and your spouse start arguing about how to wrap the gifts. You think he’s careless and he thinks you’re too picky. This starts the argument cycle where he feels criticized by you, and you feel like your opinion is not important.

Does the following holiday scenario sound familiar?

Aunt Sally and Uncle Billy show up at your house for Thanksgiving dinner. Before the turkey comes out of the oven, Aunt Sally criticizes you about your cooking and cleaning and deflates your holiday spirit. Uncle Billy then spoils the holiday dinner—again—by picking political fights with everyone at the table. Later, your cousin Connie corners you in the kitchen and discloses way too much information about her personal life, while your other cousin Mike embarrasses you by asking why you haven’t been promoted yet. Meanwhile, your father-in-law drives you nuts with his unsolicited career advice. It seems, once again, like this year’s holiday season will be awash with irritating and/or awkward moments courtesy of your beloved relatives.

Homemade foods have always been healthier than processed, prepared, or restaurant meals, which are generally much higher in fat, salt and calories than home cooked foods. Eating too much of these unhealthy foods can pack on the Holiday pounds and slow your kids down at school.

But let’s face it, the days leading up to the holidays are hectic. Getting a home-cooked dinner on the table during the holidays may seem to be an impossible feat, but here are few tips to ease the burden:

With the holidays fast approaching, our emotions seem to jump all over the place. We’re excited, anxious, and stressed because there’s so much to plan, and we want the holidays to be perfect. Yet, the thought of the holiday dinner quickly reminds us of past events that have been anything but loving and peaceful. Many families have some kind of history of arguments that seem to erupt at the yearly holiday dinner table.

1. How do I tell my parents that I want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve with my in-laws?
The best thing to do is be direct and loving in explaining your choice: "Mom and Dad, I love you and I hope you will understand, but this year I am spending the holidays with Bob's family. We will be back on New Year's Day and would love to spend the day with you."

2. Can I discipline my older sister's devilish kid for playing too rough with my dog?

Are you tired of feeling stressed and angry during the holidays? Do you want this special time of the year to be filled with peace and joy? Do you wish for a fight-free holiday season with your loved ones? Make your Christmas wish come true by following these simple guidelines that will turn your holidays from tense and stressful to peaceful and loving:

1. Write down your recurrent, usual and predictable fights about the holidays. For example, "Mom always wants me to come to her house first and gets mad if we go to my in-laws’ house before hers."