Christmas is seen as a time for joy and togetherness – spending time with loved ones. But for young couples, the festive season can be a balancing act between family and a growing relationship.
So how can you deal with the pressure of pleasing everyone? Here’s how some young women are juggling parents and partners this Christmas.
Blending Traditions and Family Time
Sydney Stonier, 20, enjoys the opportunity to learn about her partner’s family traditions and blend them with her own. “It’s special to introduce your partner to your family’s traditions, while also being part of theirs,” she says.
“Christmas is a time to make new traditions together, and that’s something I cherish.”
For Sydney, the holiday season is a chance to prioritise family time, something often lost amid the chaos of the year. However, balancing both families can be difficult. “It can get stressful trying to make everything equal, and sometimes I feel like I’m juggling too much,” she admits.
Managing Expectations and Guilt
Hannah Beeley, 21, has learned to manage expectations by assuming she won’t see her boyfriend on Christmas Day. “I’d rather expect not to see him than be disappointed if we can’t,” she says. For Hannah, Christmas is a family-focused day, and she values time spent with her loved ones. “We usually have a family meal prior to Christmas day where I share time with both my family and my boyfriend,” she explains. However, on the 25th, if they have the chance later on in the evening, then Hannah will meet with her partner even if it means missing out on some smaller family moments.
Sarah Bowler, 21, admits she feels pulled in two directions so splits her time between her family and her boyfriend.
She said: “I sometimes feel guilty leaving my family to be with my boyfriend.”
“Especially because I’m the last one living at home, and if I don’t go, it’s just my parents alone so I spend the morning with my family, then meet my boyfriend later in the day. It’s a good balance.”
The Pressure of Tradition
Maisy May Harrison, 18, also divides her time between both families, even if it’s not always easy. “It’s about compromise.
“On Christmas Day, I’ll exchange gifts with my boyfriend’s family, then have dinner with my own. It’s about finding what works for us.”
For many young couples, Christmas can feel like a rite of passage. “In the future, I might not be with my family on Christmas morning, but I’ll be with my partner, and hopefully, there’ll be many Christmases with him,” says Sarah.
Ultimately, Christmas may bring out the complexities of young love, but it’s also a time to create new traditions building a foundation for future holidays.
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