Christmas is the time to be jolly! That’s perfect, isn’t it? Well, that isn’t often the case for everybody. While for many of us it is the time of year that we get jointly with our family members, surrounded by exited children and enjoying each other’s company, for some it is not such as happy time. Opposite to the popular notion of Christmas joy, the joyful period is when many couples begin to think about separating.

In many situations Christmas seems to be a catalyst for divorce. Usually, divorce lawyers report more inquiries concerning separations in January than at any other time of the year, with many of these slowly leading to a permanent separation. So, what are the factors that so many begin to consider divorce over Xmas or soon after?

One theory is that some families spend “too much time jointly” at this time of year. That isn’t to say they spend more time together than other families but that either they are not used to being jointly so much, or there are underlying issues meaning spending time together features these issues. Some people are very busy throughout the year and don’t spend too much time together as a family, or at least not consistently. Suddenly at Christmas they are spending all of their time together, which can be difficult. Things that may have been stewing under the surface can suddenly boil over and arguments can begin. Things that may not be particularly noticeable when they aren’t spending a large amount of time together become major points of conflict. This can lead some to realize that their relationship isn’t actually working. If couples are doing more jointly, and making more decisions together, it can lead to more arguments.

The thought of a new year and a new beginning is something that motivates people to think about the future. For those who don’t believe their wedding is all that they hoped this can lead them to do anything about it. This can go either way. They might decide to really try to work on their marriage to resolve any problems, or to move on and seek a separation and divorce. There is also the new hope of a new year, something that doesn’t always prove to be a truth. With a New Year beginning some become more determined that their wedding will work. However, just because the calendar changes from one year to the next does not mean that a having difficulties wedding turns into a blissful one. The realization of this can be difficult, and can for that reason lead to ideas of divorce.

Some hope Christmas will modify the fortunes of their wedding. Couples may know things are not going well but hope that Christmas will help them; that a week or two off work and investing time together will improve their relationship. While this can be true in some situations, if often isn’t. Deep-rooted problems are not resolved by investing a little time together. Sometimes Christmas is the last hope and when this doesn’t work they realize that ending the relationship is for the best.

Ultimately Christmas doesn’t cause divorce. A happy couple doesn’t instantly become unhappy over the Christmas period. It can, though, put the highlight on any issues that are leading to an unsuccessful wedding and make people realize they are in a relationship doomed to failing.