Preparing Your Marriage for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Preparing Your Marriage for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Can you believe it? We’re in the last quarter of the year! The holidays are just around the corner, and this season brings so many wonderful opportunities to create lasting memories and build deeper connections with the ones we love.

This Week’s Insight: Don’t Let Holiday Stress Sneak Up on Your Marriage

The holidays can be magical, but they can also be full of unexpected stressors and if we’re not careful, the season meant for joy and togetherness can become a source of contention and division.

Think about it—holiday traditions often come with unspoken expectations. Whether it’s about how much money we spend, whose family traditions we honor, or how we manage our time, the weight of those expectations can easily lead to misunderstandings. And when things don’t go as planned, it can feel like the people we love let us down. 

But here’s the thing: we have the power to set the tone. The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful, and the best gift we can give is our presence—both to our spouse and our families.

Real-Life Example: It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Presence

As we head into this busy time of year, Rory and I may not always sit down for a formal planning session, we’ve learned that a light, flexible approach works best for us. Instead of focusing on making everything perfect, we embrace the chaos, knowing that even if things don’t go exactly as planned, the moments of connection are what matter most. And when we work together to create those moments—we come out of the season stronger, more connected, and more grateful for each other.

Marriage Connection Challenge: Decide What Matters Before the Holidays

As the holidays approach, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and stress. But taking a moment to decide what truly matters can make all the difference. These are things that are important to us: memories, connection, peace, joy, traditions, people, being present. What’s important to you and your family? The goal isn’t to set everything in stone but to start creating a vision of how you’ll approach the season together. By focusing on what truly matters, you’ll foster more connection, joy, and peace as you navigate the holidays.

Upcoming Holidays: Wrap up 2024 with a bow🎁

May the memories we’ve created be the true gifts we give our children—filled with the magic of the season!

Simple ideas:

🎃Halloween: Organize a fun costume-making night at home or watch a family-friendly Halloween movie together.

🦃Thanksgiving: Write out what you’re grateful for as a family and share it at dinner. It’s a meaningful tradition that costs nothing but brings everyone closer.

🎄Christmas: Instead of focusing on expensive gifts, think about giving “experience gifts” —something that will create memories, not clutter.

Remember, the holidays are  for our children more than anyone else. They need grounded, loving parents who can show them the joy of togetherness. When we lead by example, we create a safe space for them to experience the wonder of the season. Let’s approach this holiday season with gratitude, flexibility, and a commitment to making memories that will last.