The 12 most common family fights at Christmas and how to avoid them

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

It's a time of celebration. But Christmas can also put a strain on family relationships. Tensions can bubble up when relatives spend hours cooped up in the house together for the first time in a while.

And drinking lots of alcohol can further fuel family disagreements. “Family rows can, unfortunately, be all too common during Christmas gatherings.

We come together with high expectations, old dynamics, and differing personalities, which can sometimes lead to tension", chartered psychologist Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley said. “Family rows can, unfortunately, be all too common during Christmas gatherings.

We come together with high expectations, old dynamics, and differing personalities, which can sometimes lead to tension. “However, with a bit of planning and a few gentle boundaries, there are plenty of ways to manage these moments and keep the focus on connection and fun.” Here are some of the common Christmas flashpoints, and how to avoid them… Too many cooks can spoil the Christmas dinner as well as the broth, and Goddard-Crawley says: “Too many cooks in the kitchen can lead to frustration, so assign roles beforehand to give everyone a clear part to play.” Although too many people trying to help can cause problems, the opposite can also be true. “An uneven workload breeds resentment,” observes Goddard-Crawley, “so rotate clean-up duties or make it a light-hearted group task for all.” Many families are under financial pressure at Christmas, and money is a very common festive flashpoint.