""If you do have a tendency to argue about money, Christmas is going to be a big, big time for that. The vast majority of couples, you'll have two people with different spending habits. That's not unusual at all. It's probably quite rare to have a couple where they'll both have similar spending habits. "So, like with everything else when it comes to being in a healthy couple, communication is the key thing.""
""I've heard of couples getting into that conversation of, 'let's not buy one another presents, things are too tight this year' and that's perfectly fine and OK as long as you're both being honest about that," she says. "This thing of, 'oh, I don't really want the present' and then having to mind-read: 'Do they really mean that? Should I get something small?' Just try to be really honest, because it's a needless argument.""
Christmas expenses, gift-giving, a busy social calendar, and hosting responsibilities frequently strain household finances and increase the likelihood of major arguments between partners. Many couples carry different spending habits, making seasonal costs a predictable flashpoint. Practical give-and-take and realistic, truthful budgeting conversations before the season can prevent needless rows. Couples can agree to skip presents or set simpler expectations if both are honest. Avoid mind-reading about a partner's preferences; clarify intentions instead. In the event of a fight, prioritising listening to the other person rather than insisting on being heard helps de-escalate conflict.
Read at Irish Independent
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