Ah, Christmas. A time for joy, togetherness, and celebration-or at least that's what the adverts want us to believe. For many of us, Christmas also comes with its fair share of stress, awkward conversations, and lingering family tensions. Old wounds have a way of resurfacing when we're all crammed around the same dinner table, trying to balance cracker jokes with unspoken grievances.

If family resentment has ever felt like an uninvited guest at your Christmas gathering, don't worry-you're not alone. The good news? It doesn't have to define your festive season.

Here's how to make this Christmas a little lighter, a little brighter, and maybe even a bit more peaceful.

Why does Christmas stir up resentment?

Christmas has a way of amplifying everything-good or bad. It's a time when old family patterns re-emerge, expectations run high, and emotions bubble to the surface.

Resentment often comes from a sense of imbalance-when the effort, love, or care you've given doesn't seem to flow back in the way you'd hoped. Add in the pressure to make Christmas "perfect," and it's no wonder tensions arise.

Maybe you've spent hours preparing a meal that goes unacknowledged, or perhaps a thoughtless comment from a relative stirs up old hurts. Whatever the scenario, the Christmas season often feels like a magnifying glass on our relationships.

We all carry an image of what Christmas should be: glowing fairy lights, harmonious carols, the perfect meal and everyone gathered around the table in perfect unity. But let's be honest-real Christmas is never quite like that.

• Lower the stakes: Accept that imperfections are part of the season. The turkey might be dry, someone might bring up politics, and your crackers might have terrible jokes. And that's okay.
• Focus on the moments that matter. Instead of aiming for a magazine-perfect day, look for those small, meaningful moments-like sharing a laugh with your kids or finally catching a quiet moment with a cuppa after the chaos.