Practical Tips for Navigating the Toughest Holiday Conversations
New campaign pairs free mediation expertise with tools to enjoy the merriest time of year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, Nov. 5, 2026. The holidays bring families and friends together, but they can also bring old disagreements and hard conversations to the surface, and the occasional blowup over the dinner table. The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR), a Chicago nonprofit that provides free mediation services to the community, is sharing tips and tools to help people handle conflict with the people they love most, and enjoy the holiday season.
Drawing on its mediators' day-to-day experience, CCR identified three practical tips for navigating holiday conflict:
Approach with Curiosity. Remember, you both showed up to enjoy the holiday. Try to learn more about where the other person is coming from, keeping in mind that understanding doesn't mean agreement or endorsement of their beliefs. Try moving from "How could they think that?!" to "What might I be missing?"
This might sound like:
"It sounds like you're saying ____. Can you tell me more about that?"
"I see it differently, and I'd like to understand more about what makes you think that."
Or, even: "Say more."
Separate the Person from the Problem. Use a polite bridge phrase to shift the focus to the substance of what the other person is saying, redirecting the conversation as needed. Acknowledge the other person's perspective and good intent without agreeing, and prioritize connection over winning.
This might sound like:
"I doubt you meant it that way, but when you described the political landscape the way you did, it made me feel uneasy. Can we chat instead about your upcoming trip?"
"It sounds like we watch different news sources that present very different information. It's hard to tell what's real anymore. What's the conversation around AI been like in your workplace?"
Take Care of Yourself, and Know Your Exit. Decide early which topics are off-limits and how long you'll stay, with a signal for a friend or partner on when it's time to go. If things escalate, it's fine to remove yourself: plan the exit ahead of time so it's an easy option, not a last resort.
"Conflict during the holidays doesn't mean something has gone wrong. It usually means people who care about each other are spending time together, and that mix of good memories and hard ones is normal. Our hope is that these tips give people a few concrete tools to get through the tough moments and focus on what matters: being together," said Hope Pavich, executive director at CCR.
CCR supports nearly 2,500 mediation requests a year across Chicago, all free of charge, and trains close to 1,000 people annually in conflict resolution and mediation skills. The organization's approach keeps the people in conflict in control of the outcome: resolution means finding the best solution for the people involved.
About the Center for Conflict Resolution
The Center for Conflict Resolution transforms conflict into opportunity, helping the Chicago community resolve disputes, craft lasting agreements, and build conflict resolution skills. CCR provides free mediation services to anyone experiencing conflict and trains professionals across law, human resources, education, and other fields through its 40-hour certified mediator program and a range of conflict resolution trainings. Learn more at ccrchicago.org.
Media Contact: Kyle Donash, (630) 294-9679, [email protected]
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