How to navigate family politics this festive season

For many of us, awkward conversations have become a mainstay of winter gatherings.

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The festive period promises a lot: turkey, tinsel, and a soundtrack of perennial arguments. For a large portion of us, the season has become something other than a celebratory get-together and more of an endurance test, especially in recent years marred by political polarisation.

So how do you survive these annual interactions without severing ties or weaponizing a Christmas ornament?

Speaking to the Every Girl, marriage and family therapist Heidi McBain said the secret to a successful holiday period lies in the preparation. It’s no secret that our political and social views can differ drastically from those of our family members, so you don’t want to go into these situations without a game plan.

‘Maybe you all decide not to discuss politics at all or maybe you put safety features in place, like using active listening skills and ending the discussion if things get too heated.’

Settling boundaries like this together can ensure there’s no uncomfortable conversations — which can easily get more heated when everyone’s been drinking.