During the holiday season, relationship drama has a tendency to increase. Whether dating someone from school and spending the winter apart or dating someone from home and splitting time between family and friends, things tend to get a little more difficult around this time of year. It is important, however, to set specific time together and apart so you don’t feel smothered, but you still spend time with one another.
Matthew Del Greco, a senior at Syracuse University, gave his insight: “Spend all the time you want with your significant other outside of the house, but if you are home be sure to spend that time with your family. Then, when they all go to sleep, take that opportunity to be with your significant other again.”
Rich Podlovits, a senior at Bentley University, added, “A lot of times you have to hope that your significant other is significant enough to become part of your family. Sometimes it is not always about splitting time, but bringing that person around with your family.”
Many couples meet and date while they are at school, and winter break is their time apart. This is also an adjustment to cope with.
“Skype is my best friend!” said Mary Falciano, senior at Franciscan University, when asked how she maintains her long distance relationship when she comes home from school. Kristen Welling from SUNY Albany advised, “Frequent communication is the key to keeping a relationship on good terms during holiday break. Also, make an effort to see each other at least once. Make plans so you have something to talk about and look forward to when you get to see each other again. Be sure to make an effort not to be jealous of your significant other’s plans with other people when they aren’t with you. Fighting when you aren’t physically together will only bring you further apart.”
Many studies have shown that the most breakups happen in the month of December (the peak happening about a week before Christmas day). To avoid adding more stress to the holiday season, make an extra effort to keep the relationship going smoothly. Making more time for little dates when home together, like ice skating or cuddling up to a movie and hot cocoa. However, don’t get suckered into holiday romantic clichés because many times this is the root of many relationship tiffs. Be sure to get outside and do something fun like play in the snow. This keeps your body and love active and exciting.
For those who have to be without their significant others during the holidays, be sure to spend nights in on the phone, arrange Skype or FaceTime dates to make the distance seem less. It may be simple gestures, like keeping a “Words with Friends” game going, but as long as you make an effort, you can keep a relationship strong, knowing that you are always on each other’s mind.
