Keep calm and carol on: five tips for holiday harmony

At Stampa, we help organisations navigate complexity, change, and reputation management every day. It’s no surprise then that the principles we apply at work often sneak into life after office hours. Our ‘PR principles for everyday life’ series explores this overlap: where professional principles meet personal moments. In each post, we share a real-life experience, uncovering the PR and communication lessons hidden in plain sight. After all, good communication doesn’t clock out at 17:00.

As we enter the festive season, this blog offers tips for navigating complex family dynamics when we’re all thrown together over the holidays.

Even McDonald’s acknowledged it in its latest Christmas ad: family gatherings in the holiday season can be a mixed bag. Clashing worldviews, political debates, old family patterns… put enough personalities in one room and friction is almost guaranteed.  Just like in the workplace, the trick is to manage the temperature before things boil over.

Here are five tips to help you keep your head!

1. Share the load
If you’re hosting, remember: you don’t have to do it alone. Invite others to help cook, decorate, pour drinks, or organise games. Think of it like delegating at work – it lightens the load, builds shared ownership, and lets people feel needed and useful. Most relatives want to contribute; you just have to ask. And if you’re on the other side, offer help proactively and concretely.

2. Listen to learn
When conversations drift toward sensitive topics, channel your inner communications pro. Acknowledging someone’s feelings (“I hear you”) often diffuses tension faster than trying to prove your point. Relationship guru Esther Perel calls this “curious listening” – staying open, without resorting to arguing or agreeing. Works wonders in both families and corporate teams.

3. Mingle
Musical chairs isn’t just for kids – try swapping seats at regular intervals to engage with different people. It can help you exit tricky interactions gracefully. It’s the festive equivalent of flex desks or cross-team coffees at work: mixing it up can be refreshing. Harder to do in small gatherings, but worth a try!

4. Get outside or play a game
A post-dinner walk not only aids digestion after holiday feasting, it’s also a great way to connect. At work or home, movement helps people to open up and it’s usually effective in broaching sensitive subjects while avoiding face-to-face confrontation.

Or play a game – they offer structured fun and laughs without falling back into old conversational ruts. Play is great for team-building sessions too – check out our colleague Robert’s board game tips for your next event.

5. Extend generosity
Not all families look the same, and for some people this time of the year is complicated or even lonely. It’s worth remembering what the holidays are meant to embody: generosity, connection, and care. Perhaps you could invite someone over who lives alone or donate to a good cause. It’s always wise to remember the big picture, even if your in-laws can be a bit much.

And when year-end pressures peak at work, a small act – giving credit publicly, offering support to a colleague who’s stretched thin, or simply checking in – can change workplace dynamics for the better.