Dear relationship friends,

Why does the “festival of love” often become a stress test for couples? Perhaps because we all have enormous expectations of how great, perfect and harmonious everything should be. Most people attach great importance to decorating the Christmas tree, the presents and the food.

How could the festival be “de-stressed” this year? It would be best to lower your own expectations and realize that your partner may have completely different ideas and memories in his/her family of origin. When can the Christmas tree be put up? Can the cookies be eaten BEFORE Christmas? Stuffed goose or potato salad with sausages? ;-)Cell phone and TV free time? This diversity needs to be integrated. Timely planning and a schedule will also certainly help.

Gifts also play a major role, of course, and not only if your love language is “gifts”. We ask ourselves: have they really thought about it? How much am I “worth” to my partner? Was my partner creative?

If you don’t like the gifts, it is advisable to communicate this sensitively, perhaps after the party. Because conflicts at Christmas are a real pain for most people and don’t really help. It is too important a celebration that deserves harmony. So postpone the fundamental discussions until later and banish the “apocalyptic horsemen”. Just give it a rest.”

A peaceful and joyful celebration!

Your Marijana