'Tis the season for family fall-outs… whether you’re squabbling with your siblings, arguing with the in-laws or simply feel like everyone is getting on your nerves. With so much anticipation around the big day, it’s inevitable that Christmas can be stressful for some, particularly relatives who only see each other once a year.“There’s a lot of pressure – both implicit, from unrealistic expectations, and explicit, from all those idealised Christmas TV ads – to have the ‘perfect’ Christmas,” explains behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings (www.johemmings.co.uk).“There may be long-standing unresolved family issues, already difficult dynamics in who to invite, or differences in political or lifestyle choices. “Add in the general exhaustion from the run-up to Christmas, financial pressures, cabin fever and over-indulging in food and drink – and you have the perfect storm for conflict and disharmony.” So how can you get through Christmas without falling out with your family? Here’s what the experts say.
