Divorce Rates Rise After the Holidays
Why Divorce Rates Rise After the Holidays and What Couples Can Do About It
As the holiday season approaches, most people think about family gatherings, twinkling lights, and a renewed sense of hope. But what many don’t realize is that the weeks surrounding Christmas and the New Year are also a time when many couples quietly begin reevaluating their relationship.
In fact, research consistently shows that divorce rates rise in January and February. Attorneys often refer to the first business Monday of January as “Divorce Day” because inquiries spike so sharply.
This may sound surprising at first, but when you look closer at the emotional landscape of the holiday season, it begins to make more sense.
Why Divorce Rates Increase After the Holidays
The holidays are emotionally charged. For many couples, this time of year highlights the parts of the relationship that already feel fragile or unresolved.
Here are a few reasons couples tend to struggle more during the holiday season:
Unmet expectations.
Holidays often come with hopes of magic, connection, or peace. When reality doesn’t match those expectations, disappointment can hit hard.
Family stress.
Extended family dynamics, travel, and old wounds can resurface quickly. This additional stress can strain even the strongest relationships.
Financial pressure.
Gift-giving, travel costs, and holiday spending can create tension and amplify existing disagreements about money.
Avoiding conflict.
Couples often postpone difficult conversations in an effort to “keep the peace” through the holidays. But resentment grows silently, waiting for a breaking point.
A symbolic fresh start.
The New Year represents a moment of reflection, clarity, and new beginnings. Some individuals look at their relationship through that lens and wonder what needs to change.
The holidays don’t cause divorce. They simply magnify whatever already needs attention.
The Good News: This Season Can Also Strengthen Your Relationship
Although this time of year can highlight stress or disconnection, it can also be an opportunity. The weeks before Christmas offer couples a chance to slow down, reflect, and reconnect before tensions build.
Here are a few ways to protect your relationship and strengthen your connection as you move through the holiday season:
Pause before reacting.
The holidays amplify emotions. Before responding in frustration, take a breath. Ask yourself, “What am I really feeling, and what do I need right now?”
Talk about expectations early.
Discuss what each of you hopes for this season. Knowing what matters most to your partner can prevent misunderstandings later.
Set boundaries together.
Decide as a team how much time to spend with family, what events to attend, and what you want to prioritize.
Check in regularly.
Even a five-minute conversation each evening can help diffuse tension and build emotional closeness.
Repair quickly.
Conflict is normal. What matters most is your ability to repair. A soft apology, a gentle touch, or an honest “Can we try that conversation again?” can reset the connection.
Heading Into the New Year With Intention
Instead of entering January feeling exhausted, disconnected, or discouraged, consider using the holiday season as a space to reflect on what you want to nurture in your relationship.
Ask one another:
What do I want more of with you in the new year?
What needs have been hard to talk about?
How can we make our relationship feel safer and more connected?
These questions can shift the focus from frustration to possibility.
The rise in divorce rates after the holidays is not inevitable. It is a reminder that relationships need care all year long, including during the festive season. When couples choose to slow down, communicate, and reach for each other, the New Year becomes an opportunity for renewal instead of rupture.
Christmas and the New Year invite reflection. They ask us to pay attention to what matters most. If this season brings up painful emotions or highlights areas of disconnect in your relationship, you are not alone. Every couple hits tender spots, especially during stressful times.
What matters is how you respond to those moments. With honesty, empathy, and intentional care, this season can become a turning point that strengthens your bond instead of straining it.
If you and your partner feel ready for support, couples therapy can help you repair, reconnect, and begin the new year on steadier ground.
As a couples therapist based in Lakeland, Florida, I offer personalized counseling services to help couples strengthen their relationships. If you feel that professional help could benefit your relationship, don’t hesitate to reach out! If you're looking for something more personalized, I invite you to contact me for a consultation or book a session. Together, we can work towards building a more intentional and fulfilling relationship.
Written By: Crystin Grants MS, LMFT
