Whether you’re newlyweds or you’ve only just dipped your toes back into the dating pool, having your first Christmas together can feel overwhelming. You’re probably feeling all kinds of nerves or excitement about how to make it spectacular for your partner.

Maybe you'd even saved every cute couple challenge you saw on TikTok and several Christmas photoshoot ideas, waiting for Mr or Ms Right to finally show up. And now that they’re here? You’re suddenly not sure where to start.

“What if they don’t like it?”&nbsp;

“What if this Christmas feels like a step down from their family traditions?”

&nbsp;“How do I actually make it memorable for us?”

These days, when most people are living for the social media aesthetic, it's very easy to get swayed by the wind and completely miss the sanctity that lies in building new traditions and creating memories, especially with romantic partners. The gauges of what’s considered “ideal” have shifted from personal interests to only picture-worthy moments.

Trying to swim against this tide with curated experiences can feel like rocket science. But you're not alone. Here are some hacks on what to do with your new partner this Christmas… if, and only if, your goal is to foster a stronger bond rather than run up the numbers on your social media posts.

#1. Put Up Christmas Decorations Together &amp; Exchange Thoughtful Gifts

Newlyweds and honeymoon “phasers”, this is your chance to put your creativity and cooperation skills to work. It’s a sweet way to light up a personal space that’s new or still taking form. Your décor doesn’t have to be over the top. With your budget in mind, choose a theme you both love—whether it’s a white Christmas, a green Christmas, or something in between—and pick up a few decorations you can easily set up together.

You can add an intentional gift exchange to the mix and even skip the trendy, overpriced items just because they’re in vogue. Instead, go for something meaningful. Maybe a little item your partner has mentioned wanting, or something you’ve silently noticed they need.

#2. Create a First-Christmas Tradition You’ll Repeat Every Year

Meaningful rituals are deliberately built and nurtured; they don’t just fall from the sky. Your first Christmas together is the perfect time to start one. It could be something as simple as reading handwritten notes that capture how your partner has shown up for you this year and how you hope to love each other better in the next.

Or maybe it’s curating a shared playlist filled with the songs that carried you both through the year. It could even be a cosy movie ritual like rewatching your favourite childhood Christmas films from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. Whatever you choose, let it be something that you both appreciate enough to repeat every December, even as your relationship grows.

Sometimes, the real bonding lies in the process, not just the outcome. Even if you can afford to, don't eat out. Instead, find tutorials and recipes for an atypical meal you can both savour, and cook it together. Laugh over the little mistakes, celebrate the small victories, and enjoy the imperfect journey toward a “perfect” meal.

Once it’s ready, sit down together, put the phones away, and enjoy the delicacy. Let the conversation flow while you soak in the kind of intimacy that only comes from being intimate with each other.

#4. Take a Trip to Somewhere Neither of You Has Been Before

Catch a local or international flight to a place neither of you has visited before, and enjoy the magic of being newbies together. It’ll be special because you can both equally share the thrill of new sights, new conversations, new cultures, and new adventures. Imagine how many “Remember when…” stories this trip will spark in the years to come. Even on stormy days, reminiscing about memories can serve as icebreakers and help to thaw tension or reconcile little differences.

There’s so much more you can do, but the essence should always remain intimacy, not just aesthetics. Focus on experiences that bring you closer rather than what looks good on camera. And remember, lovebirds, it’s never too early to start planning for your significant other at this special time. Happy holidays!

There’s more than matching PJs for a couple's Christmas photoshoot. Discover unique and intimate ideas that deepen your connection with your partner and unleash novel experiences.

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