by Jess Banham

There is now just 48 hours until the big day but for many people Christmas comes with its own set of complications.

In a recent survey by counselling service Relate, almost 70% of people said they thought there would be family arguments this festive season.

Suzanne March, a counsellor from Mid Kent Relate in Tunbridge Wells said: “We do get people coming in during the run up to Christmas who want perhaps some advice or some recommendations to make it the best they can.

"We even have people phoning up making appointments for after Christmas thinking this is going to be difficult maybe we need some extra support after Christmas."

So together with Suzanne and the team at Relate, we're bringing you our top tops for surviving Christmas Day:

Problem 1: There's just not enough time in the day to do everything and please everyone.

Advice from Suzanne: We have these huge expectations to have the perfect Christmas. We set ourselves up to fail in a way because in reality they are just not possible. So maybe it's a realisation that we are setting ourselves up and asking for help, planning ahead, and thinking about how things can be scheduled and who can get involved so it's more of a team.

Problem 2: How do I balance welcoming new family members with old family traditions?

Advice from Suzanne: New routines and new rituals can be anxiety provoking. But it'S about communicating. There are going to be habits and rituals that are different but it's important to be open to new things.

Problem 3: I'm recently single and dreading spending Christmas on my own.

Advice from Suzanne: Try and focus on the positives, maybe enjoy pampering yourself, something you might not normally have time to do, spoil yourself, just try and focus on doing something so you can have some good memories rather than looking back.

Problem 4: My children keep fighting over their toys!

Advice from Suzanne: It's a question of having open communication so children know what's expected. It's trying to find time for everyone and giving people equal space so they can be heard and their views taken onboard.

Problem 5: We have to fit so many family visits in, there's not going to be time for ourselves.

Advice from Suzanne: It's imperative that couples find time for themselves. Be interested in one another; spend some time out even if it's just going for a walk. Just have some fun together.