Whether this is your first holiday season as partners or your fifteenth, there’s always an opportunity to make your celebrations more you. As you grow in your relationship, you’ll discover what really matters to the two of you, and how those priorities translate into the traditions you follow year after year—as well as when it’s time to change things up.
If you’re looking to create some new experiences this year, here are five ideas for inventing some fun, fresh holidays rituals.
Involve your friends
While many of us focus on spending time with family over the holidays, there’s recently been a rise in hosting friends-based celebrations. (Surely you’ve heard of, or been to, a “Friendsgiving.”) These gatherings provide a different element to the holiday season that allows for you to experience new recipes and activities than what you might be used to back home or at your partners’ family’s house.
Focus on giving back
Find a charitable organization that speaks to you and get involved! Whether you’re wrapping presents for the less fortunate or dishing out food at a local shelter, you can make giving to others part of your holiday season, which not only adds a new tradition to your repertoire, it also helps those in need at the same time. By donating your time, together, you’ll form lasting memories and really experience what this time of year is all about.
Revive an old tradition
Perhaps your grandmother always made a special holiday cookie or your uncle used to host a family talent show—but these rituals have been abandoned once everyone got older. Think back to your childhood and choose something special that you’d like to resurrect with just your partner, or your family and friends, too. Not only will you feel a sense of connection to your roots, you’ll be creating something new for this holiday season.
Choose a new ritual
Maybe there are certain holiday rituals you never participated in as child, like the Elf on the Shelf or an advent calendar, or even something as simple like coordinating a potluck for Thanksgiving instead of the host doing the majority of the cooking. Do a little research on some of the traditions and rituals others partake in to discover something that might be fun for you and your partner. By trying something new, together, you’ll make whatever you choose your own.
Decide to jet-set
Sometimes, opting out of the holidays can be just as fun as being super involved in the season. With many people getting paid holidays in November and December, these months are ideal for taking a few vacation days to make the most of your time off. Choose a destination that you and your partner have always wanted to visit and play hooky from the holidays. When you get to your location, you can either engage in local holiday rituals, if there are any, or you can creatively celebrate however you are able, making lasting memories in the process.
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