When You and Your Partner Celebrate Different Holidays
Are you in a relationship where the two of you celebrate different holidays? Some people celebrate based on their religion, and others celebrate in a completely different way.
No matter what holidays you choose to celebrate, it can be challenging when your partner celebrates a completely different set of traditions. There can be tension from these differences, but you can overcome them.
The celebration of different holidays just means that you have more to celebrate! As long as you and your partner are respectful of one another’s differences, you can agree to disagree and still celebrate life together.
To make the most of your holiday traditions together, consider the following:
- Agree to disagree about standing traditions. It’s natural to disagree on how to celebrate holidays. Some people are very focused on their religious ideals. Others are more concerned with how their children want to celebrate or following family traditions that have been passed down. All of these can be good options.
- Stay agreeable during the holidays. Show respect to one another. If you and your partner respect one another and the opinions and beliefs you both have, it can be easier to get through the holidays with good attitudes. You can both make new memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
- Create new traditions in your home. What elements of your traditions can be blended? How can you ensure the most elements of each other’s traditions that are most important to you are preserved? What new family traditions can you agree upon to create lasting memories and foster closer relationships? Seek common ground for a bright holiday.
Wintertime holidays like Christmas often present special challenges because there are so many different traditions practiced by people of different faiths. By talking openly with your partner, you can have peace in your house. Consider:
- Sharing both traditions, if they’re in any way compatible
- Making a new tradition that you both agree on
- Spending time with your respective families and their traditions
- Agreeing to spend time alone during specific holiday times
The most important thing is that you and your partner come to an agreement about what you’re going to do. Talk to one another and seek solutions that please you both. That’s important any time of the year, but it’s even more important where the holidays are concerned.
When you decide on the new traditions you two want to bring to your home, keep in mind that there will still be opinions and creative differences. Those are okay, and you can get through them the same way you made your big decision – by talking to one another about the things that really matter to you and the things that you can let go or change to keep the peace.
The respect and love you and your partner have for one another is often renewed and strengthened when you celebrate holidays together. If you find that stress is creeping into your life, stop and take the time to banish it before it gets a foothold.
As you celebrate each holiday with your partner, you’ll continue to make new memories that you can hold onto. It’s a beautiful way to share meaningful moments together that draw you closer as a family.
