Celebrating the holidays in a new relationship is a little stressful. You want everything to go perfectly and set a positive precedent for potential holidays down the road. It's important to keep such a lovey season a relationship wonderland, so make sure you keep some things in mind.
1. You don't have to go overboard with presents.
Since it's your first Christmas together, you more than likely want to show them how much you care about them with the perfect present. You don't need to go crazy, though, as tempting as it may be. Try to get one thing you know they want and a couple minor things to make them smile, like a new hoodie and their favorite candy. This will show them how much they mean to you and that you know them well. You don't have to buy all of their Christmas presents either. A handmade gift helps out if you're in a financial bind and shows them you'd go the extra mile to make them happy.
2. Give your family a heads up if your significant other is coming for the holiday.
Christmastime can be a stressful time for whoever is hosting the holiday gathering. That being said, let your family know if an extra chair is needed at the dinner table or if some additional presents need to be under the tree. No one wants to be left surprised the day of and made to look like a bad host or like they hate your significant other.
3. Respect if they want to have separate time spent with just family.
The holidays are a season of love, but they're also a season of family. College students finally get a much needed break from classes and get to go home to families they might not have seen for awhile. If your significant other's family usually keeps things with just them, don't take it personally because its not meant to be. Let them spend time together as a family, then you two can celebrate privately later on, too.
4. Coordinate their presents with their family privately.
If they send out a Christmas wish list to you and their family, make sure you communicate with their family members so you don't buy them the same present as someone else. Especially if the gift you're wanting to give is a little pricey, it's important to make sure that money wasn't spent on a gift duplicate when it could've gone to another bullet on the list.
5. It's okay if your Christmas celebration timelines don't match up.
In most families, everyone typically celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve or the day itself. For example, you might celebrate on Christmas Eve but their family might wait until the next day. That being said, though, you and your significant other's schedules for the holidays might completely conflict. Try to plan this out ahead of time so the holidays run smoothly. If you can't plan it out because your families both celebrate on Christmas Day, it's not the end of the world. You can celebrate together the following weekend or another time if you need to.
6. Give your partner a heads up on any crazy family or holiday traditions.
No one likes being ambushed or left as an outsider. If you typically have a "white elephant" type party on Christmas Day, tell them ahead of time so they can come prepared. If your Aunt Judy is going to grill them about their entire life's story at dinner, warn them. Meeting family and experiencing a different environment is a scary part of new relationships, and this fear can get even more intense over the holidays. Let them know what they're about to walk into if they come to your gathering for Christmas.
7. Don't be afraid to do your own thing.
If you get invited to a friend's or coworker's Christmas party and your significant other is either not feeling it or is unable to attend, it's not the end of the world. Don't take offense to it. You were an independent person beforehand and you still are while you're in a relationship. Spend time with your friends and have a great time whether or not they can or want to come. You still care for each other even if you don't do everything together.
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