Dear Melissa,
This is my first Christmas with my new boyfriend and both of our families have big gatherings on Christmas eve. We both want to be present for the family tradition together but can’t be in two places at once. How can I convince him to come to my family’s party because it really means a lot to me?
Party Girl
Dear Holiday Party Hopper,
I am not going to tell you how to convince him to come to you family’s party when he has one of his own that he likely wants you to attend. Relationships are about compromise. Is it possible to have both of you split you time going to each family event together? If not, I don’t think it is fair to make him miss his own family celebration. Holidays are about tradition. If the relationship is serious enough, try starting your own. Perhaps you can plan a joint family dinner two days before the holiday that both families can attend. Then celebrate individually with your families on Christmas eve as planned. How would you feel if he tried telling you that you had to go to his family event and miss your own? Save the fight for another day, try splitting your time.
Melissa
