When you were growing up, you were surrounded by traditions and special moments during the holiday season. These traditions were created with your family, and they hold a special place in your heart. But now that you’re married, it’s important to create new traditions in your marriage. As a couple and merge the ones from your childhood.
As Christian couples, Christmas holds a deeper meaning for us. It’s a time to celebrate our faith and reflect on the blessings in our lives. However, it can also be a challenging time for some couples to establish their own holiday traditions. But also while navigating family relationships. That’s where the help of a Christian couples therapist in Atlanta, GA, or a black therapist in Decatur, GA who understands your faith and cultural background can be invaluable.
Creating New Traditions 
You and your spouse may have had completely different traditions growing up, and it’s important to find a way to merge them together. For example, if one of you comes from a family that celebrates on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas Day, find a way to honor both traditions. You can do this by having a special dinner or activity on each day. This will help avoid conflicts and create new memories as a couple.
If your traditions from childhood are no longer possible, or if they bring up negative memories, don’t be afraid to create new ones. This could include watching a Christmas movie together, baking cookies, volunteering at a charity, or attending a special holiday service. The key is to find activities that both of you enjoy and that bring you closer as a couple.
Setting Boundaries
During the holidays, it’s natural for families to want to spend time together. But this can also lead to conflicts and stress if not managed properly. A constant source of argument you hear of is where to spend the holidays. You want to spend the holidays with your family as does your spouse and it can be a challenge to navigate these requests.
That’s where setting boundaries comes in. Sit down with your spouse and discuss your holiday priorities, including which family events are important for you to attend. Then, create a holiday schedule that works for both of you. Be sure to communicate this schedule clearly with your families so there are no misunderstandings or hurt feelings. This will help reduce stress and allow you to enjoy the holiday season without worrying about conflicts. It can even be a schedule where you rotate between families each year or spend Christmas with one family and Thanksgiving with another.
You’re a Team, So Stick Together
When familial conflicts arise during the holidays, it’s important to remember that you and your spouse are a team. You have each other’s backs and you’re in this together. Instead of letting arguments and disagreements with family members come between you, support each other and find ways to compromise. This may mean politely declining an invitation or setting boundaries with certain family members. Remember, your marriage and your spouse should be at the top of your priority list during the holiday season.
Taking Time to Rest and Enjoy
The Christmas season can get so busy with all the shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts, attending services, and running around. We forget to take time for ourselves. You may be so busy that you don’t even take time to enjoy the holiday. Before you know it, Christmas is over and you feel exhausted rather than rejuvenated. That’s why it’s important to schedule in downtime for you and your spouse during the holiday season.
This could include taking a day off from work to relax at home. Or it can be going on a weekend getaway, or planning a cozy night-in together. Make sure that these moments of rest are scheduled in between all the business of the holiday season. This will not only help you recharge and enjoy the holidays, but it will also give you a chance to reconnect with your spouse and strengthen your relationship. For example, after opening presents on Christmas morning, you and your spouse can take a walk together or sit by the fire with some hot cocoa.
Passing Down Traditions
One of the joys of getting married is being able to create new traditions and memories as a couple. These traditions not only bring you closer as a couple but they can also be passed down to future generations. As Christian couples, it’s important to incorporate your faith into these traditions. This could mean taking time to read the Christmas story from the Bible, attending a special holiday service, or praying together.
This can even include telling your children the reason behind certain traditions and how they relate to your faith. By doing so, you can instill the same values and beliefs in them that have brought you closer as a couple. And who knows, maybe one day your children will carry on these traditions with their own families.
Seeking Help When Needed
The holiday season can also bring up feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression for some individuals. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to seek help during this time. If you find yourself, your spouse or both of you struggling during the holidays, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Online therapy in Georgia can be a great option for couples. Even ones who are unable to attend in-person sessions due to busy holiday schedules.
You and your spouse can navigate the wonder and the challenges of the holiday season together with the support and guidance of a couples therapist. They can provide you with practical tools to manage family conflicts, set boundaries, and create new traditions that align with your faith and values. Remember, you don’t have to face these struggles alone as long as you have each other and seek help when needed.
Create a Stronger Marriage with a Couples Therapist in Atlanta, GA
The holiday season may bring up challenges in marriage and for couples, but it can also be a time to strengthen your marriage and create new traditions. A black therapist in Decatur, GA can provide you with the support and guidance needed to navigate this busy season while keeping your relationship and culture in mind. At Faith and Family Empowerment, we offer online therapy in Georgia for couples who are unable to attend in-person sessions. This way you don’t miss out on the benefits of therapy, even during the busy holiday season. We also provide in-person sessions with William Hemphill, a couples therapist in Atlanta, GA. Remember, with faith and therapy, you can overcome any challenge and grow closer as a couple. So, take the time to rest and enjoy the holiday season with your spouse by your side. We hope you have a blessed and joy-filled holiday with your loved ones. When you’re ready to begin counseling these steps:
- Contact me to schedule an initial appointment
- Learn more about me and my services
- Strengthen your relationship by creating new traditions and seeking help when needed!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Faith and Family Empowerment
At Faith and Family Empowerment in Decatur, GA I understand the struggle of finding a therapist who truly understands your experiences and values. That’s why I am proud to provide specialized therapy services for individuals, couples, and families with a focus on faith and culture. In addition to couples therapy, I’m happy to offer a variety of in-person and online mental health services. These include Marriage Counseling, Christian counseling, and depression support groups. Other mental health services include premarital counseling, discernment counseling, and counseling for affair recovery. Learn more by visiting my about, blog, or FAQ pages today!
About the Author
Introducing William Hemphill, a highly experienced therapist specializing in empowering Christian couples to cultivate more joy and acts of giving in their marriage through the creation of new holiday traditions. With over two decades of experience, William provides tailored guidance and empowering tools to couples seeking to strengthen their bond, deepen their faith, and create meaningful holiday traditions. As the founder of Faith and Family Empowerment, he is deeply committed to supporting couples in Georgia who are looking for therapeutic services that enhance their Christian values and help them build stronger, more joyful, and giving marriages. Let William accompany you on your journey to a more joyful and fulfilling marriage, filled with cherished holiday traditions.