Family celebration or argument? Tips for harmonious holidays!

Family celebration or argument? Tips for harmonious holidays!

Today, December 25, 2025, Christmas is once again associated with family and closeness. However, there are a variety of preferences when it comes to the holidays. While some people enjoy the hustle and bustle with lots of people they know, others prefer quiet days alone. A daily discussion point on December 24th is the question: “Are you spending the holidays with family?” Ultimately, readers are invited to share their personal experiences and rituals. Another aspect that is discussed is the question of whether the way of celebrating has changed in recent years, which triggers an exciting discussion about traditions and innovations krone.at.

However, the holidays bring not only joy but also challenges. Conflicts between family members are not uncommon. Advertising often shows harmonious family celebrations, while reality is often different. The psychotherapist Magdalena Sroka identifies three main reasons for the frequent arguments at family celebrations: comparison with others, role conflicts and a rigid handling of traditions. These factors can lead to a celebration becoming a burden srf.ch.

Strategies for harmonious holidays

To avoid disagreements, it is advisable to communicate clear expectations in advance. This includes arrival times, length of stay and important topics of conversation. Experts recommend encouraging shared activities such as cooking, baking or playing to create relaxation and closeness. Rituals such as taking a walk after dinner or watching a film together also provide stability. Music, as a connecting element, can lift the mood vogue.de.

Another crucial point is dealing with each other humorously. Humor can be used as a means of relief, but should not be used as a punchline. It is important to allow closeness without demanding unrestricted unity and to prioritize what unites us over what divides us. Especially in such festive situations, self-care cannot be overlooked; Recognizing the right time to walk is very important.

Challenges and self-reflection

However, the reality in many families often manifests itself in the form of high demands and unfulfilled expectations. On average, women undertake more unpaid care work than men, which leads to inequalities. Advice like “take it easy” can even increase the pressure. It is therefore advisable to set expectations and plan tasks together. Sroka recommends not viewing family gatherings as idealized gatherings, but rather accepting them for what they really are - gatherings that can lead to beautiful, shared memories srf.ch.

Finally, it is important to emphasize that participation in family gatherings should give energy, not drain it. If this is not the case, it might make sense to stay away. In Switzerland, there are annual reports of domestic violence during holidays, illustrating once again that not every conflict is normal; It is often systematic violence that requires support from counseling centers and women's shelters. Such serious topics should not be forgotten in the discussion around the holidays in order to promote understanding of the different experiences within the family.