Merry Christmas!
Is it your first Christmas with your special someone? How can you make this Christmas stand out in your memory? Time flies and sometimes the memories are sweeter than the actual event. I’m sure scores of mothers have pored over baby pictures and cried after sending their sweet babies off to college. At the time of the picture, it was just an ordinary day and another picture, but eighteen years later sitting in a quiet house, mothers would love the opportunity to relive that day just one more time.
Your first Christmas together may not seem super-exciting. We are just going to visit my grandparents for their yearly Christmas Eve party, then open gifts on Christmas morning at our homes, and go to his parents that afternoon. It is not that much different than other years. It may not seem different, but in ten, twenty, and thirty years you will be glad you made memories you can visit and share with your kids and grandkids.
Take Part in Each Other’s Traditions
As much as you can, try to enjoy your traditions and your sweetie’s traditions. Depending on where your families live, your celebrations may change a bit, but you can incorporate traditions even across the miles. He always gets up and has a homemade breakfast. Then he and his family rip open their gifts. We don’t eat first, but we do open our gifts one at a time and then hug the gift-giver after each gift.
Perhaps this couple could each try something new. She could suggest to her family that they enjoy a yummy breakfast (she and her boyfriend or new husband could even make it together) before gifts and then he could try their tradition of opening a gift at a time. No, it is not the way they have always done it, but if they both compromise they may end up liking the new tradition better than the old! With marriage each must give a little… and sometimes a lot. Christmas is a great time to start giving and compromising. ~smile~
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
I confess that I am terrible about remembering to take pictures at special events. If it were not for my friends, I’m not sure if I would have any pictures of the eight years Eric and I have been married! On your first Christmas together, take a lot of pictures and video footage. Take pictures as people cook, laugh, open gifts, eat together, play games, and as kids (and adults) play with their new toys. Pictures and videos are treasures to you and future generations!
Start a Tradition Together
Branch out and start a tradition that is native to your relationship. Caroling, passing out Christmas dinner at a shelter, ringing doorbells and leaving gifts bags on doorsteps (be careful with this one ~smile~), going to a Christmas Day movie each year – what is something you and your special someone can do together each year that will make it feel like Christmas in your home? Some traditions find us and some traditions we choose to make.
Give, Give, Give
As Dave Ramsey says, “Giving is the most fun you will ever have with money.” How can you and your sweetie give this Christmas? One way to make your holiday stand out is by giving. I’m not talking about those gifts others expect you to buy, but those extra special gifts no one is forcing you to buy. Maybe you and your sweetie can do a few Operation Christmas Child boxes (though these need to be done several months before Christmas… but keep in mind for next year!), find an Angel Tree near you and buy a gift off of the tree, or adopt a struggling family who would appreciate some food and toys this year (your pastor or church administrator may know of a family in need to refer you to).
What are some ways you and your honey can give this year? All giving does not have to be monetary either. You could give of your time and visit some shut-ins on Christmas. You can give of your muscles and help with a community project on Christmas. Taking goody bags around and giving them to residents at nursing homes is always appreciated too (just clear it with the staff in case some residents want to be left alone or are not supposed to have sugar, etc.). Be creative and do some unique giving on this first Christmas together. You may even create a giving tradition! ~smile~
Sharing us with Others
We are only as much of a blessing to others as much as others know about us. So, for Christmas this year, we would love for you to tell others about us and encourage them to subscribe to our free course and newsletter (upper right-hand corner of our website) – and, if you’re not subscribed yourself, then take advantage of that free resource! We also include special deals, contests, and exclusive content to our newsletter subscribers!
Again, we wish you a heart-warming and merry Christmas!
How do you plan to make your first Christmas together special?