Top tips for avoiding festive conflict from leading relationship support charity
The festive period is supposed to be full of goodwill and kindness, but what happens when it stops being merry? For many, Christmas can be extremely fraught, often resulting in conflict, with stress, financial worries and the pressures of expectation creating strain on relationships.
Relationships Scotland, the largest provider of relationship support in the country, is offering advice to families and couples looking for a more peaceful Christmas. They say communication is key but don’t be afraid to seek help if everything becomes too much.
Stuart Valentine, Chief Executive of Relationships Scotlandsaid: “Many people are at risk of setting high expectations of what Christmas should be like, but sadly for some the reality is far from magical.
“Financial pressure is one of the biggest sources of stress at this time of year, and this can very quickly manifest itself into conflict and relationship turmoil.
“Our advice to families this Christmas is to focus on spending good quality time with your loved ones and don’t get into debt in the hope of having the perfect Christmas. If things do get too much, always remember that support is available, with relationship counselling and family mediation available across the country.”
Relationships Scotland is offering some top tips to look after your mental health during the festive period:
Set boundaries with family
There can be a lot of pressure to see every member of your family at Christmas time. However, it is important to set boundaries to ensure you have a happy Christmas. If you only feel comfortable spending 30 minutes with your parents or in-laws, set that boundary and stick to it.
Don’t compare yourself to social media
It is so easy to see Christmas content on social media platforms and feel overwhelmed by these expectations.
Extravagant door decorations, festive tablescapes can be beautiful but these are costly and unnecessary. When you look back at your Christmas memories, it is not the decorations you remember, it’s the fun and laughter.
Do what feels right for you
Christmas can be anything you want it to be. Although the traditional turkey and all the trimmings is lovely, cooking can be a stressful experience and not to everyone’s taste.
Why not do something out of the norm that makes you happy? Chuck some pizzas in the oven, order a Chinese takeaway, or graze on a cheeseboard.
Relationships Scotland’s unique network of 21 Member Services operates in communities all over Scotland, from the Borders to Shetland and the Western Isles, ensuring it is able to meet the needs of families across the country.
It provides high quality, specialist support services, working with children, young people, couples, individuals and families to help reduce conflict, improve communication and ensure that people are supported to manage times of relationship crisis and breakdown.
Anyone in Scotland who needs additional support to apply for benefits can receive free help to complete their applications.
There are several options available for people who need support:
Social Security Scotland’s Client Advisers can help people by talking to them by phone or through webchat.
We can support people to apply over the phone on 0800 182 2222 or via webchat.
People can also get help in their communities from our team of local advisers.
In addition, the Scottish Government funds an independent advocacy service to deliver free advice and support to disabled people applying for benefits.
Organisations including Citizens Advice Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support, Age Scotland and local authority welfare rights teams can also help.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I urge everyone to avoid any company asking people for money to help them apply for benefits. Free support is readily available from Social Security Scotland and several organisations.
“People should get every penny of the vital support we are delivering to help them live with dignity. Companies charging fees to make benefit applications are exploiting people and taking money from those who need it most.”
Derek Mitchell, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland said:“Our advisers in local Citizens Advice Bureaus across Scotland provide free and confidential advice expert advice that gets money back in people’s pockets.
“Whether you need that face to face, over the phone or online, advisers based in local communities will work with you and make sure you get all the support you need.
“No one should have to pay for advice to get the social security payments they’re entitled to. Every penny of the nearly £170 million we secured for people last year, stayed with them.”
A 24-year-old man has been convicted of wilful fireraising in Edinburgh.
Logan Carlin pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Tuesday, 23 December, 2025.
The incidents took place on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 and Sunday, 16 March, 2025 in Albert Street and Milton Road East.
Carlin was arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising and reset of a stolen vehicle.
He is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “While this was established as a targeted attack, we understand that it was a concerning incident for the local community.
“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.
“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country and highlights our commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”
Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.
The tills were ringing at the weekend at The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, with visitors enjoying the pre-Christmas sales, with a few of them also taking time out to share their wish lists with Santa.
Rhona McGill from Galashiels, who was visiting with her soon-to-be daughter in-law, Mhairi Kyle, picked up lots of bargains from stores including New Look, River Island and H&M, said: “We are having a great day out at The Centre, Livingston ticking off our presents list and of course getting some nice bits and pieces for ourselves too.
“We tend to visit regularly as there’s so many great shops to choose from, and being indoors helps, especially at this time of year.
“We still have a few gifts to get, including aftershave for my husband, new pajamas too, which we’ll get from Primark, and then we’ll pop into one of my all-time-favourite stores, Yankee Candle, to pick up a few of their festive scented candles, which always capture the magic of Christmas and make for great stocking fillers too.”
Santa, who has been popping into The Centre, Livingston to greet families ahead of the big day for 19 years, also took time out of his busy schedule to pick up some surprises for Mrs Claus from Pandora, assisted by his helpful elf.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “This has been a fantastic year for us at The Centre, Livingston as we’ve welcomed so many new retailers including MINISO, Flying Tiger and Wingstop, which helps to enhance the overall experience even more for our customers when they visit.
“It was a win-win for lots of our shoppers at the weekend who also took advantage of the pre-Christmas sales and managed to catch up with Santa too!”
Pic Greg Macvean 06/12/2025
The Centre, Livingston Christmas Sale Pics & CHAS gift card
At The Centre, Livingston, which is visited by over 14.8m people a year, there’s over 150 stores and restaurants, including M&S, Lush, Rituals, JD Sports, The Entertainer, wagamama and Nando’s, and over 3000 parking spaces
Business confidence in Scotland fell 15 points to 36% in December.
Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects fell 24 points to 38%, while their optimism in the economy dipped seven points to 34%.
Overall UK business confidence rose five points in December to 47%
Business confidence in Scotland fell 15 points during December to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland.
Companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 24 points at 38%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down seven points to 34%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36% (vs. 51% in November).
Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (50%), introducing new technology, such as AI or automation (34), entering new markets (30%) and investing in sustainability (30%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall, UK business confidence rose five points in December to 47%.
While firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects dropped one point to 52%, their optimism in the wider economy strengthened 11 points to 42%.
London and the West Midlands were the joint-most confident parts of the UK in December (both 63%) followed by the East Midlands (56%).
Sector Insights
Construction saw the sharpest improvement, up 22 points to 61%, its highest level seen this year. Manufacturing also was up five points to 49%, while retail firms edged higher to 47%, likely reflecting seasonal demand. Services confidence fell one percentage point to 41%.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland said: “Scotland’s businesses continue to showcase real resilience, and are setting out plans for growth in the new year ahead.
“We’ll be right alongside them – up and down the country, so that they can make the most of new opportunities as they arise.”
Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: “It is great to see business confidence ending the year on a higher note, up ten points from the start of the year.
“The uplift in business confidence is driven by an 11 point increase in optimism in the wider economy, increasing to a four month high.
“Confidence changed most in the construction sector which saw a big boost in December, to the highest level this year.”
Paul Kempster, Managing Director for Commercial Banking Coverage, Lloyds Business & Commercial said:“To end the year stronger than where we started will be a boost for businesses as they gear up for the growth opportunities that they hope lie ahead in 2026.
“As we approach the peak sales period for retailers, it’s great to see their confidence rise as well as the considerable gains seen in construction.
“For all businesses regardless of sector, maximising cashflows, investment and a keen eye on margins will stand them in good stead as we head into 2026.”
First Minister John Swinney visited the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow yesterday to meet families who have benefitted from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s expanding Hospital at Home and virtual hospital services.
Mr Swinney was welcomed by NHSGGC Chair Dr Lesley Thomson KC and Chief Executive Professor Jann Gardner and spoke to staff leading new services designed to deliver hospital-level care for children in the comfort of their own homes.
He was also given a tour of key areas of the hospital including the Teddy Hospital and the Sensory Room, which support children and families during their visits to the RHC.
The First Minister had the opportunity to hear from parents whose children have received care through Hospital at Home, as well as those who have received intravenous antibiotic treatments on an outpatient basis.
NHSGGC recently launched two new services within its wider virtual hospital. Paediatric Hospital at Home offers care and monitoring for children with a wide range of conditions that do not require admission to a physical hospital, while Neonatal Hospital at Home enables babies with neonatal jaundice to receive treatment at home rather than remaining in hospital for several days.
These services, alongside the existing Paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service for children with complex infections, significantly expand the opportunities for young patients to be safely treated at home rather than in hospital wards.
First Minister John Swinney said: “We are taking bold action to reduce pressure on our NHS, increase capacity and shift the balance of care into communities.
“Through our £220 million Operational Improvement Plan, we’re investing to reduce waiting times, improving hospital flow, and provide care for patients in the comfort and safety of their own homes.
“It’s clear to see the impact of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s new Paediatric and Neonatal services, helping children to stay at home while receiving hospital level care.
“Thanks to these innovative services, this festive season they can be treated in familiar surroundings rather than be separated from family, friends and pets and not have to travel to a hospital where it isn’t required.”
Paediatric Hospital at Home is tailored to each child and can include a combination of nurse home visits, wearable technology such as oxygen and heart‑rate monitors, virtual consultations, phone check‑ins, and early supported discharge.
This approach allows children to remain with their families in a familiar environment while still receiving high-quality clinical care, often reducing the length of time they spend in hospital.
The new Neonatal Hospital at Home service is already improving experiences for families.
Neonatal jaundice affects around six in ten newborns and typically requires several days of phototherapy treatment in hospital.
Through the new service, babies can now receive phototherapy at home, with neonatal nurses visiting daily to check bilirubin levels, assess progress, and determine whether treatment should continue – all while keeping families together.
These services form a key part of NHSGGC’s Transforming Together programme, which aims to provide more care closer to home and reduce unnecessary time spent in hospital.
The virtual hospital model brings advanced monitoring, treatment, and multidisciplinary support directly to families, helping ensure care is flexible, responsive, and centred around the needs of the patient.
One of the patients Mr Swinney met was 15-week-old Albie Thorburn, who was cared for through the Paediatric Hospital at Home service after having issues with feeding and weight gain.
Albie’s mum Kirsty, 32, explained that her son was initially admitted to the RHC for tests to rule out anything underlying.
She and husband Alan, 38, were then shown how to feed Albie using a nasal gastric tube which was inserted during his hospital stay, and they were able to take him home sooner.
Kirsty, from the east end of Glasgow, said the family had daily check-ins with Albie’s clinicians via phone, and two attendances in person for Albie to be weighed. These phone calls allowed his parents to ask for further advice, and they were given a dedicated out of hours number for any concerns.
She said: “It was great to be under the Hospital at Home as we were getting daily input from the clinicians without Albie having to be in a physical hospital.
“Albie wasn’t unwell, so there was no need for him to be kept in hospital other than having his condition monitored.
“Having him at home meant I was more relaxed and was able to feed him and produce milk better.
“It meant my partner could be there overnight too and assist with the night feeds.
“It just helped us be together at home with all of our comforts. He has been thriving since he got home.”
The First Minister also met three-week-old baby Krish Butti who had jaundice when he was born but was able to go home to have phototherapy treatment.
Krish’s mum, Bijini Balan, who is 35 and lives close to Glasgow city centre, said: “We were much more comfortable at home, and it meant we were more settled.
It was very beneficial not to have to spend days or weeks in hospital because he could have his treatment at home and the jaundice has completely disappeared now.”
Meanwhile, Mr Swinney had the opportunity to meet families of young patients who received intravenous antibiotic treatment on an outpatient basis, also known as OPAT, rather than having to stay overnight in hospital.
Caleb McLellan, 7, was treated using OPAT for a heart infection called endocarditis.
His mum, Joanne Campbell, from Stepps, said: “Having the OPAT treatment had a significant impact on Caleb and really helped him cope with the situation.
“He was able to go to school for a couple of hours in the afternoon each day which meant he was able to see his friends and regain a sense of normality instead of being isolated and confined to hospital.
“Being at home also allowed him to spend time with his little sister, which was hugely important for both of them.”
Dr Neil Patel, Clinical Innovation Director and Consultant Neonatologist at the Royal Hospital for Children, said: “Our Hospital at Home programme is giving babies and children the opportunity to receive the same high‑quality care they’d receive in hospital, but in the place that’s most natural and comfortable for them – their own home.
“We’re seeing the benefits every day, from reduced hospital stays to better experiences for families at what can be a very stressful time.
“These services are a core part of NHSGGC’s virtual hospital and our wider Transforming Together agenda.
“By using technology, specialist nursing support, and innovative care pathways, we are safely shifting more hospital‑level care to the home environment, improving outcomes while helping families stay together.”
Aldi Scotland’s much loved Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Edinburgh with a festive twist, and one lucky local winner spread some Christmas cheer by raising £606.18 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) while bagging the same amount in Aldi favourites for himself.
Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep, inspired by the legendary gameshow, arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday 14 December. Lucky shopper Tom Garrat, who was chosen as the winner of the competition, donned a Santa costume for his five-minute trolley dash for CHAS at the retailer’s Portobello store – where CHAS representatives got into the festive spirit dressed as elves.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Aldi Scotland matched the cash value of Tom’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025, every penny raised through the initiative has gone directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Tom Garratt, said:“It was a pleasure to raise over £600 for CHAS with the help of Aldi.
“A special thanks to Sarah from CHAS for being my eyes and ears as I dashed through the aisles filling the trolleys!”
Sarah Dannfald, Senior Community Fundraiser, CHAS, said:“Turning up to Aldi’s Portobello store dressed as Santa and an Elf isn’t something you do every day, but the team there welcomed us like absolute stars.
“Tom’s fantastic effort in the Supermarket Sweep, along with the brilliant support from all the staff, brought so much festive fun and raised a wonderful amount for CHAS.
“Their generosity will help bring comfort, care and Christmas magic to the children and families we support all year round. We can’t thank them enough for getting behind us with such spirit and good humour!”
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Our first-ever festive edition of Supermarket Sweep has been such a good way to celebrate the season and spread some Christmas cheer, while also finishing a fantastic year of fundraising on a high. Congratulations to Tom, who raised an incredible £606.18 for CHAS while grabbing a bundle of Aldi favourites for himself.
“CHAS is an incredible organisation that does invaluable work for families across Scotland.
“We’re proud to support them and help raise as much as possible so they can continue to provide vital hospice care for children with life-shortening conditions, and unwavering support to families during the most difficult moments imaginable.”
Stores across the country have been overwhelmed by the generosity of customers who donated at the Tesco Winter Food Collection.
An incredible 1.48 million meals’ worth of long-life food items were donated to the collection between 24 November and 29 November across the retailer’s large and Express stores, including 41,804 in and around Edinburgh.
More than 2,000 volunteers helped store colleagues throughout the collection where every item donated provides much-needed support for food redistribution charities FareShare and Trussell in the run up to Christmas.
In addition, more than £300,000 was donated to both charities thanks to customers rounding up their bill at the till to the nearest pound and online donations throughout the collection period. When combined with Tesco’s financial support of the charities, it equates to more than £2m in funding in 2025.
Trussell research shows over 14 million people in the UK are now facing hunger, including 3.8 million children. They predict that their community of foodbanks will need to give out an emergency food parcel every ten seconds this winter to meet the need.
FareShare continues to see high levels of need and say that more than a third of its partners now primarily serve families with children, or services for children. Research carried out by the charity’s network partner, The Felix Project, recently found that almost a quarter of UK working parents have had to turn to a food support service in the last year.
Donations to Trussell help food banks to provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare support thousands of frontline local charities in communities across the country.
This winter will see heightened levels of demand for both charities’ services with the Christmas holidays being a particularly difficult time for families due to the increased costs that occur at this time of year.
Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad said: “As ever, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Tesco customers who have shown how much they value the hard work of our partners Trussell and FareShare in their local communities.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and made this such a special event in stores across the UK. Every single item donated really helps to make a huge impact in communities across the UK supported by Trussell and FareShare.”
FareShare Chief Executive, Kris Gibbon-Walsh, said: “Once again, the generosity of Tesco customers at the Winter Food Collection has been humbling. The long-life items collected will go to 8,000 charities across the UK, helping to support people during the winter months.
At a time when many people are forced to choose between keeping warm and eating, demand for these local charities’ services is higher than ever. The food that we can provide thanks to the Winter Food Collection makes a real difference, helping to bring people together, strengthen communities and support those in need.
“Thank you to every single person that donated an item of food, topped up their shopping bill or generously gave their time to volunteer in store. Your support will help provide a meal for someone facing hardship this winter, enable them to connect with other vital services, and make a positive difference. Thank you.”
Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: “We are so grateful to Tesco for supporting our community of food banks through the coldest season by organising the annual Winter Food Collection.
“Crucially, it’s thanks to you – Tesco customers – who donate food and money so generously. By doing this, you’re ensuring food banks can continue to help people in your local community who are facing hunger and hardship. Thank you for your kindness. When we all play our part, we can end hunger for good.”
With both charities requiring ongoing support, Tesco shoppers can continue to donate food at permanent collection points at every Tesco store in the UK or make a donation after their online shop until the end of February.
Breakfast, showers, games & four Christmas dinner servings!
