Festive rows rising among couples in Preston, survey shows
Couples in Preston and wider Lancashire may be heading for a tense festive season, according to new findings from The Great Christmas Relationships Test 2025 — a national study that included 479 respondents from across the North West.
Nationally, 44% of couples experienced tension or arguments last Christmas, reflecting concerns shared by many Lancashire households.
The data suggests pressures are already mounting. One in five couples feel anxious about spending extended time together this Christmas, 1 in 10 had a major argument last year, and 8% experienced multiple rows, indicating that holiday stress can quickly escalate.
Now You’re Talking Therapy operates as a profit-for-purpose organisation, with 66% of its profits supporting its parent charity TLC: Talk, Listen, Change.
Money and logistics continue to be major flashpoints. Nationally, around 1 in 5 couples are already feeling festive financial pressure, while 3 in 10 say that planning where or how to spend Christmas Day is a “touchy” subject. Seasonal expectations also play a role: more than 4 in 10 people admit to pretending to enjoy Christmas traditions, and 1 in 3 social media users feel pressure to appear happy online.
The Now You’re Talking Therapy couples counselling team says the findings echo the relationship issues couples in Preston frequently raise — from budget worries to juggling extended family demands.
Their practical tips for reducing festive strain include:
• Start conversations early about money and expectations
• Use the 90-second rule when emotions spike
• Shift from “you vs me” to “us vs the problem”
• Have a daily 20-minute “stress offload” chat
Christmas doesn’t need to overwhelm couples, the team says — communication and early planning make all the difference.