How to Keep the Holidays Merry and Avoid Political Drama During Christmas

Stop dreading the holiday season. Keep the peace this holiday season and avoid political drama at family gatherings with these helpful strategies. 

According to the American Psychiatric Association, two in five Americans reported arguing with a family member about a controversial topic. And after a contentious election cycle, many expect drama at holiday gatherings. Even outside of the United States, politics can come up at a holiday function, making it hard for anyone to enjoy the celebration. 

Instead of holding your breath and dreading the holiday gatherings use these tips to plan for a stress-free Christmas that is filled with peace and love. 

How to Avoid Political Drama This Christmas

Deal with Family Drama Before the Holidays

If there are discussions that need to be had don’t wait until the celebration. Have those conversations now. Psychiatrists from APA’s Council on Communications have put together a guide on How to Discuss Controversial Issues with Your Mental Health in Mind. 

These are a few of the tips they offer, be sure to read the whole article for more advice. 

1. Consider the speaker’s personality traits and whether they are likely to engage helpfully with you.
2. Set some ground rules, such as agreeing to let the other person talk before you start to speak or having a true willingness to learn from the other person.
3. When they’re done, reflect on these conversations and what you learned and how they made you feel.

Create Boundaries and Stick to Them

Creating boundaries during the holiday season is essential for maintaining your mental well-being and truly enjoying the festivities. And they benefit both parties if people are respectful of each other’s boundaries.

Start by identifying what’s most important to you—whether it’s limiting the time spent at gatherings, avoiding stressful topics, or prioritizing self-care. Communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully with family and friends ahead of time.

If not everyone is willing to respect your boundaries it is okay to say you will be unable to attend the event. You deserve to feel respected and safe. 

Have a Plan for Redirecting Conversations

Create a plan ahead of time for what you will do to help redirect conversations if politics come up. You can say things like “let’s talk about that after the holidays” or ignore what was said and say something like “this pie is amazing! Who made it?”

You can also suggest an activity that keeps people busy and not thinking about politics. A fun game is a great way to do this. I have a printable Christmas game pack that has several fun games that will keep people having fun and not thinking about politics. Also, be sure to check my list of adult Christmas games that are a fun way to keep things happy. 

Establish “No Politics” Zones or Times

If politics are going to be allowed make sure there are “no politics” times and/or zones. For example, you can suggest no politics at the dinner table or while exchanging gifts. 

You can also help remind people of this with funny signs like “Santa says, No politics, only eggnog!” Or even have a “politics jar” that people have to put a dollar in each time they bring up politics. At the end of the night, the money can be a prize for a game or donate the money to a cause everyone agrees on. 

Practice Self-Care

Have a plan for taking breaks during gatherings. You can step outside or even just go to the restroom for a moment to breathe and get some quiet. 

Before and after gatherings it’s also important to practice self-care so make sure you schedule in this time. You can do a hobby that you find relaxing, meditate, talk to a trusted friend, or even consider therapy to help you decompress. 

Spend the Holidays with People You Feel Safe With

If you feel unsafe or unwelcome at a holiday event it can be really hard to come to terms with that but you can still enjoy the holidays. Consider creating new traditions to replace ones that will no longer be a part of your holiday season. 

Also, talk to the people you do feel safe with and consider creating your holiday traditions together. Even if you don’t live in the same area you can spend time together virtually. You’ll find ideas for celebrating Christmas virtually here on the site. 

Remember, you deserve to have a peaceful and stress-free Christmas this year. It’s okay to say no to things that don’t protect that and to stand up for your boundaries.