Putting the “Us” back in the Holidays

21 days to Thanksgiving—is that really possible?  November may be the kickoff to the busiest time of your year, but it doesn’t mean your marriage has to suffer because of it.  Try these cozy, simple date night ideas and see your marriage thrive during the holidays.  

Thanksgiving Test Kitchen Romance

The best part about Thanksgiving is all the food, right? (This thought is coming from the guy who was called the human garbage disposal as a kid.) Now for me, it’s all about being with the people we love.  But even as much as we like our traditional dishes, it’s also fun to try something new.  For some, it can be stressful to break out a recipe for the first time on the day of the holiday.  So why not spoil yourselves twice by testing out all those delicious-looking appetizers or new stuffing variations?  You can troubleshoot, enjoy some good food, and have a different type of date night with your spouse.  

Decorate Together For the Holidays

For many Americans, Thanksgiving weekend officially kicks off putting up holiday decorations.  But we often do it in our own corners, so to speak.  The guys do one thing, and the girls do another, and sometimes you might meet up in the middle.  Try doing it together this time!  Play some holiday music in the background and make sure to have some snacks handy. (Have you ever put stuffing in a waffle maker?)

Enjoy a Christmas Tree Lighting

Ok, maybe you’re not in the mood to decorate quite yet, so here’s something else for you.  Christmas tree lightings often take place during Thanksgiving weekend, and they’re typically less hectic and more cheerful than the mall.  Be sure to bring a thermos with hot cocoa (or a hot toddy) in it, so you can sip it while you watch.  If you don’t fancy getting out of your car, head to a lights display instead. You can do a nice, slow cruise around a neighborhood or park and stay cozy and warm the whole time.

Cozy Up Next to a Bonfire

Outdoor dates get a bit trickier when the weather turns cold, but there are ways around the problem!  A fire pit or bonfire make for a terrific cozy date!  Roast some marshmallows for s’mores—heck, you can roast that cinnamon roll dough that comes in a tube by wrapping it around a skewer.  Make sure to include a blanket to cuddle, slow things down a little, and have a nice, long chat.

Have Fun with an Impromptu Photo Shoot

Even this close to Thanksgiving, fall leaves are typically still on the trees.  It’s a great time of year to take a photo of the two of you. You can use a selfie stick, or get a friend or neighbor to do it for you. You’ll have a recent photo to frame, and something you can use for your Christmas cards, too.

The nice thing about all of these holiday date night ideas is that they get you into the spirit of the season while still providing you with something fun and different for you to do together.  Remember, when things get busy and tempers run short, we often forget to set aside time for each other—but that’s exactly what we need to help our marriages thrive during the holidays.  

I hope you’ll try one of these ideas, and let me know in the comments how it goes!

Your Virtual Life Mentor,

Doug

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