Christmas Pressure: A Practical Guide for Men

Christmas can be confusing territory for men.

There are:

• strong opinions
• emotional undercurrents
• unspoken rules
• and conversations that seem to mean more than the words being used

Here are three tips that actually help.

1. Don’t try to fix it
If someone is stressed, upset, or overwhelmed, resist the urge to solve the problem. Often, what’s needed is not a solution, but attention.

2. Read the room, not the schedule
Christmas isn’t just about logistics. It’s about atmosphere. Notice when things are getting tense and take a pause — even a small one can change the tone.

3. Be present, not perfect
You don’t need the right words. You just need to show up. Listening counts. Small kindnesses count. Putting your phone down counts more than you think.

Surviving Christmas isn’t about doing it right.
It’s about doing it together — imperfectly.