It’s a time of great joy and even greater stress for couples. It can be a real challenge to keep your relationship going strong when there is so much going on with the kids, the work, the family… and now you have tons of gifts that need to be bought as well!
Here is a list of 10 couple-friendly tips for surviving this holiday season:
Don’t Do It Alone!
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in a relationship is trying and doing everything by ourselves. If you need help, ask for it. There’s no shame in admitting your limitations!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, make a list of what you can realistically handle and enlist your partner’s help in completing the tasks you don’t feel competent in.
Partners who are organized and work together will handle whatever holiday madness is thrown their way! If you’re overwhelmed with everything that has to be done, make sure you do it together.
You’ll find that taking on each task as a team will make things go by much quicker than if you were doing them alone. Just make sure you both know your responsibilities so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises later on.
Don’t Feel Pressured To Buy Expensive Gifts.
One of the most common mistakes couples make during the holidays is that they feel pressured into buying things for one another.
On the contrary, if you’re not financially able to buy everything you want for your partner, don’t feel guilty about it! Let them know how much you love them by giving affection instead of material goods. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with foregoing gifts this season if you can’t afford to buy everything on your partner’s wish list.
If you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, chances are you know everything there is to know about your significant other and their family. You probably already have all the essentials like pots & pans, towels, and bedding, etc.
There’s no need to buy expensive gifts that will just be thrown into storage or forgotten about. Instead, you can focus on re-gifting or giving gifts that are practical or sentimental.
If you do decide to buy something costly, put some thought into it. If the only thing your partner wants is an iPhone and you can afford it, then, by all means, go for it.
But if you’re feeling completely lost or overwhelmed, there’s no need to go all out and buy something you can’t afford. Other ways to show your love and appreciation for your partner don’t involve handing over a credit card.
Set A Budget And Stick To It!
This is such an important step! You don’t want to lie to each other when Father Christmas comes down the chimney, so planning ahead will help you avoid unnecessary arguments later on.
You’ll also want to set yourself up with a system that works well for both of you and maximize your spending power. Decide on a maximum amount to spend first, and then ask yourselves if you can afford everything you want without going over.
This tip is especially crucial for couples who are living together.
It will help you avoid unnecessary stress and ensure that there’s no bad blood between you later on down the road.
If your partner seems to have an endless wish list of goodies, set a budget and stick to it. When you’re on a limited budget, it’s a lot easier to put a stop to overspending because you know there are real-world consequences.
For example, if your partner wants a new gaming console, a new smartphone, and a 70-inch television, you might want to veto the whole idea. Instead of buying one expensive gift, why not help them out with a few small gifts that will actually mean something?
If you’re planning on going over your budget..tell your partner before you go shopping. If they don’t hear it from you, they’ll only find out when the credit card bill comes in. It’s a lot easier to plan ahead rather than have an uncomfortable conversation later.
You can also try searching for sturdy gifts that are on sale.
If you’re trying to save money this holiday season, it helps if you do your shopping early instead of waiting until the last minute.
You’ll be able to avoid unpleasant surprises and resentment towards one another when you both share the same information. This will allow everyone involved in the gift-shopping process to feel comfortable and confident in their decisions.
Some couples like to set a budget and work to meet that budget no matter what. Others prefer to overspend and take money from savings or other funds to make up for it. This is not a good idea because it could lead to financial problems in the future.
It’s very common for people to overspend during the holidays because they feel like they have to outdo everyone else.
But, make no mistake, you don’t have to go overboard if money is tight. The same goes for online shopping. If you’ve already maxed out on your credit card limit, don’t just add to your debt by buying things online. There’s no need to purchase an item if you aren’t able to afford it.
Planning Ahead Will Help You Keep Your Sanity!
If you’ve never heard of the saying “haste makes waste,” now is your chance to learn it. If you rush through all of your holiday preparations, there’s a good chance things will go wrong.
It might be tempting to try and hurry up so that everything can be wrapped up in time for Christmas or Hanukkah, but, in the end, you’ll only wish you had more time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed this holiday season, plan ahead and take your time to do things right. You don’t want to rush through shopping or try to decorate last minute because it could affect the quality of the gifts and decorations you bring into your home.
Planning is especially important if you have children or pets because it can be very distracting when trying to decorate the house. Even though it might be cold outside, there’s no need to rush with your holiday preparations. The weather is always unpredictable this time of year, so try and plan things out before the holidays instead of rushing to catch up.
So many couples find themselves fighting during this season because they never thought ahead about what they were doing.
Planning is the best thing you can do to avoid getting into an altercation with your partner! It will save you a lot of time and energy later on.
Recognize that the holidays are hectic for everyone, including your partner. Don’t take anything they do or say lightly, and avoid getting into petty discussions with them. You’ll both be happier in the long run if you take a step back and realize that everyone’s doing their best!
Get Organized!
This is a big one! If you’re going to have a successful holiday season, you have to be organized.
Make sure that both of you know exactly what’s going on with work and kids so neither of you feels overwhelmed with the number of tasks that need completing. There won’t be any unpleasant surprises this way, and everyone will be happier and more relaxed.
It can be beneficial to list what needs to be done and prioritize what you’ll need to complete.
Setting aside a few hours every week to complete things like wrapping presents and cleaning up around the house will make it easier for you to enjoy your time with your family and friends instead of stressing out about all other things that need to be done.
Nothing makes a person more stressed out about the holiday season than clutter, so make sure you clean your house thoroughly before the big day comes.
You don’t want to be stuck in a state of disarray during this hectic time of year! If you’re living with your partner, try putting aside some extra cash for hiring a maid or an organizer if needed. This will help keep the peace between you both.
Make Time For Romance!
You don’t want your relationship to suffer because of holiday stress, so make sure you take some extra time out of the day for romance.
During this season, couples tend to get stressed out and lose their connection due to the hectic nature of things.
Don’t let this happen! Make sure you set aside at least one day to go on a date with your partner.
This can be something as simple as going out for coffee or something more elaborate like renting out movies and ordering takeout together. It’s up to you! Just make sure that you do it! If you’re constantly busy working, shopping, cleaning the house, cooking, etc., you’ll eventually get burnt out.
Make sure that one of the days of your holiday is dedicated to doing something special with your partner or spouse! You’ll be glad that you did.
It’s essential to find time for romantic activities together so that you can reconnect with your partner. You both have to give this a priority, or else it won’t work out.
Remember To Take It One Task At A Time!
It can be easy to get overwhelmed when you have a lot of things to do in a short amount of time, so make sure that you take it one task at a time.
If you’re going all out with decorations and shopping, for example, try not to focus on the shopping until you’ve decorated your house.
Make sure that when you’re doing one particular activity, that’s all you do! Focusing on multiple tasks will only result in frustration and stress. When there’s too much on your mind, it is harder for couples to get along because they get tired and irritated easily.
When there are so many different things to complete by the end of the day or week, getting overwhelmed can be very easy.
If you find that you’re constantly getting stressed out about things, you must take some time to relax. Drinking tea or doing something else to calm your mind will help make the season more enjoyable for both of you.
It’s happened to many of us! We get so excited about the holidays that we try to do too much. Take it one task at a time, and in no time, you’ll be in the holiday spirit! Let your partner know that you’re only responsible for one thing at the moment.
Then, complete each stressful chore with a smile on your face knowing that you are making progress! You can handle this!
Keep Your Cool.
Don’t let the stress of having too much to do cause friction between you and your partner! Try not to get into an argument or say anything mean over text or email since this could come back to haunt you later. If you’re both up against it, simply acknowledge how hard things are and try to keep your cool.
If things get tense, separate yourself from the situation for a little bit by going outside for a walk or doing some deep breathing exercises in another room before continuing any conversation.
Sometimes all you need is a short break to return to a discussion with a cooler head and less stress!
For many couples, their biggest argument during this time of year is about food. But don’t let the stress of holiday cooking tip you over the edge.
Remember, it’s not worth breaking up with someone over turkey! At the end of the day, you’re spending time with your family or friends to celebrate a special occasion together.
To avoid fighting about who does what in the kitchen, try dividing tasks based on individual strengths!
For example, if she makes great pies, but he can’t cook at all – ask her to make them while he might take on another responsibility like setting the table or cleaning up after dinner is ready.
This way, you both contribute equally, so nobody takes on too much work! The holidays can be a crazy and stressful time if you let it.
Get More Sleep!
If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, getting through the busy season can be very hard.
One of the most talked-about times when couples tend to fight is when one person is overtired and cranky! Rest up before you start any holiday fun with your partner or family by sleeping in a little bit if you have to!
Everybody knows that there are lots of events to attend with friends and family at this time of year, but don’t over-commit yourself during the holidays. You’ll become exhausted and resentful towards your partner if you do too much.
This tip might sound counter-intuitive, but this season can be so incredibly exhausting, and sleep helps recharge our batteries, so we have more energy for fun times with family and friends.
If you’re feeling tired, it’s time to call it a day! Try to get to bed at least 10 minutes earlier each night.
You’ll be glad that you did the following day when you wake up with more energy and can enjoy your holiday hassle-free!
Enjoy This Time Of Year!
The holidays are supposed to be fun!
Don’t let the stress get in the way of enjoying this magical time of year.
Have a blast, and don’t think about work. Just enjoy being in the moment and doing something special together at a time when so much is going on around you.
This tip might seem obvious but have fun together by attending holiday shows or parties – even if they’re scheduled during one of your busiest weeks. Don’t let anything drag you down! This is a time when many people feel pressure from others to do certain things that may not necessarily align with their values. Remember, you don’t have to do anything that doesn’t make you happy!
The holidays can be stressful but try not to add any additional pressure by feeling like you always have to do something new on a particular day or attend a party just because everyone else is going to.
If an event isn’t your cup of tea, avoid going the next time around and spend some quality time doing what YOU want instead!
You’ll feel much less stressed if you choose your own adventure for each holiday occasion rather than trying to keep up with everyone else. And remember, it’s ok if someone asks why you chose not to attend since there are many ways of celebrating this season during this busy time of year. Just say you want to do something different and enjoy the time with your partner or family!
The holidays can be fun as long as you take breaks between events and keep communication open with your partner. Also, don’t forget to try and enjoy yourself! There’s no need to fight about the little things – focus on enjoying each other’s company and remember, fighting is a waste of a good holiday!
This is supposed to be a time of happiness and excitement.
So, try not to get too stressed out about everything! The holidays can bring you closer together with your partner if you open up more during family gatherings. Be open about what you want to talk about and what you need from your partner to feel loved this season.
At the end of the day, you’re spending time with your family or friends to celebrate a special occasion together. You want to be able to enjoy that special time together without feeling too overwhelmed!
Conclusion.
We hope that these ten tips have been helpful for you and your significant other. It’s never too late to learn a new trick! And if there are any couple-related topics we should address, feel free to leave us a comment below.
Enjoy yourself and cherish every moment together. Happy Holidays!
