The clash
BOTH FAMS WANT FACE
TIME – AT THE SAME TIME
“Where you spend the holidays can
be a point of contention for couples;
whether you’ve been dating for two
months or 20 years, it just never
goes away,” says Bradbury. His
advice: establish a tradition early.
Eg,ChristmasEvewithonefam,Day
with the other. “This will reduce the
need to have the same conversation
year after year, and less negotiating
meanslesspotentialforconflict.”
Whenyoubreakthenewsthatyou
won’tbejoiningthecrewata
particular event, let them knowES
E
CHRI
GRABBING
104
HOME FOR THE HOLS?
Unless you two are
escaping to Thailand for
Christmas,it’sovertheriver
and through the woods to
Grandmother’s house you
go.Spendingtheseason
witheachother’sfamscan
putyouonthefasttrack
toacloserconnection,
says psychology expert
DrThomasBradbury.Thisis
backedupbyastudyat
Syracuse University that
foundtakingpartinholiday
rituals can actually boost
couple satisfaction. Yet
family celebrations can also
be fraught with awkness.
Learn how to deal with
common holiday clashes...