For some strange reason, couples tend to have more arguments during the holidays. The holidays are supposed to be a time to be with your loved ones, and of course, no one wants to spend it arguing with their significant other. Here are some of the top reasons why couples argue, and how you can avoid them.
Why couples argue during the holidays
1. The gift they gave you wasn’t well thought out
Not everyone is an amazing gift giver, sometimes people are just really bad at giving gifts. It’s one of the most common reasons why couples argue, and it’s easy to understand why; getting a lazy gift from your partner such as a Christmas card with a gift certificate doesn’t feel good. More so if you took the time to give your partner an amazing and well thought out gift.
In order to avoid having this argument with your significant other, make sure to plan ahead and take some time to really think about what your partner wants. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive like jewelry, it just has to be meaningful and special.
2. Overspending during the holidays
Like most money matters, couples argue a lot when someone overspends during the holidays. Whether it’s for gifts or spending too much from their holiday bonus, it’s a very common reason for couples to argue.
One way to avoid this is to sit down with your partner and plan a budget that will account for all your holiday expenses, and make sure to work within your budget! You should never spend beyond your means, even if you’re expecting a holiday bonus. When it comes to gifts for your friends and family, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it has to be unique and something that they’ll remember.
3. Too many holiday parties!
Holiday parties are a fun and great way to reconnect with people you’ve rarely talked to throughout the year. Though too much partying can get too stressful, which can lead to feeling burned out. If you feel that you’re getting too burned out, you can tell your partner that you’ll just sit the next one out.
It’s better to skip some parties and get some rest instead of getting yourself burned out and potentially having an argument with your partner because of stress.
4. Stress while travelling
Some couples prefer to spend their holidays abroad or on vacation, and while the prospect of going on an exotic holiday might sound exciting, it can also be a reason for couples to fight.
Spending a long flight or a long drive together can really stress you out, so tensions can sometimes be high during travelling. The key here is to be patient, and look forward to the great time that you and your partner will have instead of focusing on the stresses of traveling.
5. Different ideas on how to spend the holidays
Every family has their own holiday tradition. Some families like to have a simple celebration at home, while other families tend to go all out when it comes to their holiday celebrations.
To avoid arguments regarding how you’ll spend your holidays, the most important thing would be to compromise. Try to look at the situation from your partner’s perspective so that you can better understand how they feel about certain holiday traditions. It’s best to compromise, and don’t be afraid to mix things up. Who knows? You might learn something new.
Sources: huffingtonpost.com, love.allwomenstalk.com