Christmas is one of the most important times of the year for many families. When you're dealing with divorce and separation, though, the pressure can easily mount up and there can be a tidal wave of emotion. Dealing with child arrangements over Christmas, making a new financial situation work around a festive budget and navigating loneliness are just some of the things divorcing or separating people take on.In this Christmas Special of Life, love and the Law, host and family lawyer Liza Gatrell welcomes back familiar faces from Stowe talks, Jodie Phelps, financial adviser, and Tom Nash, divorce coach to the podcast. Together, they discuss planning Christmas well before December, working through the tough times and the importance of presence over presents.00:03 Family lawyer Liza Gatrell introduces Stowe Family Law’s new podcast Life, love and the law00:40 Jodie Phelps and Tom Phelps introduce themselves01:35 Why is Christmas such an important topic for divorcing couples?04:43 Blended families at Christmas - experiencing contention and working through it07:21 Financial challenges coming up to Christmas08:30 Are gifts truly the most important thing for children?09:03 Getting the children’s input on what’s important to them at Christmas10:00 How do child arrangements work after divorce or separation?11:10 Putting children in the centre not the middle of divorce and separation13:23 Making new traditions around special occasions and reframing17:57 Having the conversations about Christmas earlier in the year19:40 Is it fair that the primary caregiver should have to split Christmas equally?21:00 Making room for compromise23.17 Understanding and navigating loneliness at Christmas27:10 The social media highlight reel28:45 Practical tips for budgeting at Christmas31:02 Should you buy a gift for your ex partner?33:03 Top tips for approaching your first Christmas after separationUseful resources to further support you through divorce and separation at ChristmasCo-parenting at Christmas: tips for a peaceful holiday season https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/stowe-support/co-parenting-at-christmas-tips-for-a-peaceful-holiday-season/Download Stowe’s parenting plan template https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/premium-content/?type=guide&item=creating-a-parenting-plan Going on holiday at Christmas after divorce or separation If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2 Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one 🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1 This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/