Wedding Tradition Wednesday: Newlywed Holiday Traditions
It’s finally December! We’ve heard holiday music on the radio for several weeks. You find lights, trees, reds and greens in almost every store window. We survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday and are checking our lists twice. The holidays can be a whirlwind of events and to-dos, especially for newlyweds who are navigating their first holiday season together. To get you into the holiday spirit, we’re sharing a list of fun traditions to make your first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. extra special!
Splitting the Holidays – Your first round of holidays as newlyweds can be a little tricky. Multiple Thanksgiving meals with families, deciding how to spend Christmas Eve, and what times you’ll visit parents, grandparents and other family members on Christmas Day – the list of people to see and places to be seem almost impossible to tackle. Sit down with your other half, maybe with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of wine, and discuss what your ideal holiday season looks like this year. You can’t be everywhere at the same time, so prioritize who you can visit without stretching yourselves too thin. Set expectations with your parents, families and friends, so they’ll know when to expect you and won’t take it personally if plans change! This is only your first holiday of so many more together, so experiment to see what works and switch it up next year if needed!
Picking out a Tree – It’s time to deck the halls! Whether you’re in your first apartment or house together, nothing feels more like “home” than to have a glowing tree in the window. Do you prefer a faux tree or a fresh cut evergreen? Since Oakland is a Farm, we love the smell of fresh pine! How cute is one of our April 2018 couples in this local tree farm!? Work together to find the perfect tree for your home and then split the decorating duties. I have my husband tackle the lights while I find the perfect spot for each ornament on the tree. When you’re done, toast to the start of an incredible holiday season and soak in the beauty of your first tree together!
Buying Annual Christmas Ornaments – Your first tree might seem a little bare unless you each had ornaments of your own before getting married. Start a new tradition and purchase a special ornament for your tree each year. Grab a Sharpie and write the date on it so you’ll remember the year. Some couples purchase an ornament to each place they travel, others find ornaments in the shape of something meaningful for that year. You can even start a themed tree and add to it annually. Several years down the road, you’ll have a grand collection of baubles that mean something special to the two of you!
Giving to Others in Need – The holidays aren’t just about finding the perfect gift for each person on your list. This season is also a great time to give back to your community. During the winter, you’ll find many opportunities to make an impact on the lives of others through things like coat drives, donating to the Salvation Army, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or sponsoring a child in need through local charity programs. Every year we pick an “angel” from the Angel Tree at my husband’s work and shop for gifts to make a little boy’s or girl’s Christmas special. We’ll never know the child who received our gift, but it fills us with holiday cheer and makes our heart grow three sizes! After all, everone’s favorite holiday icons says, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
Hosting a Holiday Party – For this tradition, you don’t have to be the “hostess with the mostess.” Gather your friends for dinner, cocktails or just a fun party to spend time together before the year end. We love hosting Corporate Holiday parties at the Farm; there’s plenty space for companies’ employees and guests around the roaring fire during chilly December days. Try gathering your best girls for an ornament exchange or a coffee date with your favorite Starbucks holiday beverage. Have a fun holiday sweater? Invite friends to don their gay apparel and host a tacky sweater party. Have guests vote on the tackiest outfit and send the winner home with bragging rights for the next 365 days. There’s no better way to ring in the holidays than with friends, food and lots of fun!
Sending Holiday Cards – Everyone loves receiving snail mail that’s not bills or ads which go straight into the trashcan. Send a little cheer this Christmas to your friends and family featuring one of your engagement or wedding pictures. Your loved ones will keep these cards on display all season long. Plus, it’s a great way to share those incredible pictures your photographer snapped! Oakland Farm is a proud partner of Minted, your one stop shop for holiday invitations, Christmas cards, wedding stationary and more! Use our unique code for 25% off your holiday cards: WEDVENOAKLAND
Touring Holiday Lights – Twinkling lights can be found everywhere during the holiday season. Grab your honey, hop in the car and drive around looking for all the best Christmas décor in the surrounding neighborhoods. Turn on your favorite radio station (or Spotify playlist) with seasonal music to add an extra dash of cheer. You could even throw on festive pajamas, warm up a big mug of hot chocolate or apple cider and take it to go! Make a note of your favorite lights and you can return year after year.
Savoring Christmas Morning – Before the chaos of Christmas day begins, enjoy the quiet moments of the morning alone together. Coffee will be a must for the busy day ahead, so grab a cup for you and your other half and spend time soaking in the lights on your tree, the stockings on your mantle, and all the joy this season brings. Similar to your wedding day, the holidays will fly by. Don’t get wrapped up in the cumbersome details of décor or finding the perfect gifts. Enjoy all the love and joy that comes along with the season as you and partner navigate the holidays together, creating your own special memories that will last for years to come.
