from How to Have A Romantic Holiday


In the rush of the holidays, attention can often just be focused on the biggest of the holidays: Christmas (or Hanukkah, Eid, or Kwanza) and New Year’s. However, with some imaginative thinking, you can extend the holidays to make it an entire season to enjoy with the one you love. Consider these ideas to make your holidays last 12 days (and we promise no turtle doves or lords a’leaping.)

On the first day of Christmas...

Compose a poem about your love. Hide it in your lover’s briefcase/purse to be found during the workday.

On the first night of Christmas...

Turn on the Christmas tree lights, put on your favorite holiday CD, and have a private dance.

On the second day of Christmas...

Mail a mini-present to your lover at work.

On the second night of Christmas...

Kiss beneath the mistletoe.

On the third day of Christmas...

Surprise your lover by making homemade pancakes or waffles for breakfast. Arrange berries in a heart shape atop for a romantic surprise.

On the third night of Christmas...

Surprise your lover with a warm bath already drawn when he or she gets home. Fill the tub to near full, add some bubbles in a favorite scent, and sprinkle in a few rose petals. Light the bath with candles. Warm towels in the dryer.

On the fourth day of Christmas...

Trade Eskimo kisses.

On the fourth night of Christmas...

Set up an indoor picnic beneath your Christmas tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas...

Wake your mate up to watch the sunrise.

On the fifth night of Christmas...

Greet your lover at the door dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or an elf.

On the sixth day of Christmas...

Build a snowman—or a snow couple—together.

On the sixth night of Christmas...

Wash your lover’s hair. Warm the towels in the dryer beforehand to finish the "beauty session" with pure luxury.

On the seventh day of Christmas...

Ice skate on a frozen lake or an outdoor rink. Can't skate? There's no better excuse for plenty of cuddling than an ice skating lesson from your lover!

On the seventh night of Christmas...

Sing your lover to sleep with his or her favorite carols.

On the eighth day of Christmas...

Start your day with a toast to each other—over orange juice.

On the eighth night of Christmas...

Gift wrap a present for your lover. Sneakily talk with the waiter before your food arrives and ask him to slip the present in one of the dishes—perhaps in the roll basket or a basket of tortilla chips.

On the ninth day of Christmas...

Make a new ornament together. Be sure to write the year on the ornament to remember your special holiday.

On the ninth night of Christmas...

Enjoy a night picnic in the snow—lit only by candles and the moon.

On the tenth day of Christmas...

Hide 10 chocolate kisses in your sweetie’s lunch, briefcase, backpack, or purse.

On the tenth night of Christmas...

Surprise your lover with a one-night vacation. Rent a room at a local hotel or B&B and decorate it with some first-class goodies: a bottle of champagne, some chilled shrimp, fresh strawberries, cheese, French bread, what ever you like. Pack an overnight bag for each of you. Pick up your partner from work for a special surprise "night out."

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

Send your partner a romantic email.

On the eleventh night of Christmas...

Walk outside and pick out a star to be "yours." From this point on, no matter where you are, that star will shine down on the two of you.

On the twelfth day of Christmas...

Give your honey an egg carton filled with a dozen fortune-cookie sized slips of paper—each one explaining how much your love means to you.

On the twelfth night of Christmas...

Take a carriage ride—after dark. Snuggle beneath the blanket to stay warm!

 

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