Don’t Let Christmas Price Tags Ruin Your Relationship

It’s hard to smile and laugh when you’re both staring at a late bill you can’t pay. Regardless of whether you’re married or just living with your partner, couples who’ve been struck by economic hardship experience more conflict than those who are not (Hardie and Lucas, 2010).

While Christmas comes once a year, financial strain and problems continue just the same. Here are a few tips to help keep your relationship strong this Christmas:

Ask Santa to come back next year.
While it’s really wonderful to buy your loved ones presents, it can add up quickly for couples. You have to buy presents for both families, and in some cases, such as nieces or nephews, your family list keeps growing larger each year. You have a few routes you can go to lift the financial burden off of your shoulders.

Explain to your families that this Christmas is tight. Let them know you’re “skipping presents” and focusing on spending quality time with the people you love instead. After all, Christmas next year will be back before you know it.

Go homemade.
However if you just have to give out some gifts, try going homemade. Make jams, fill jars with sugar cookie mix, and tie a cookie cutter to it. Give out small photo albums filled with your favorite family pictures, or even make your own ornaments to give away.

The key is to think up an inexpensive bulk gift that you can give to everyone and put your own personal touch to it. Gifts such as these are great on your budget and are always a family favorite. Coming up with ideas is also a great way to spend time together as a couple and work out a solution together.

If you can relieve the financial and emotional burden that comes with Christmas, you’ll be able to enjoy your partner much, much more. You’ll also be a bit merrier.

Sources:
Hardie, J. H, & Lucas, A. (2010). Economic factors and relationship quality among young couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(5), 1141-1154.

By Brittany Roshelle Davis