Love Actually: Holidaze

Brandt Ranj, Staff Writer
December 8, 2011
Filed under Opinion

Being in love at Christmastime is a truly wonderful thing. That said, it is not without some stress and a few hang-ups. Things can get a bit dicey depending on whether this is your first holiday season with your significant other or how long you’ve been dating.
Presents are one of the first problems that come to mind. The commercialization of Christmastime has put a gigantic amount of pressure on us all to find “the perfect gift.” I’m here to assure you that buying the most expensive toy probably isn’t the best idea — it’s actually a little on the silly side. The most important part of the present (besides presentation) is sentimentality. So all you boys and girls who have dreams of sugarplums and iPads dancing in your heads should take a solid amount of time to sit down and write a card. By hand!
This shows commitment and that no matter what you’ve purchased, you’re not trying to buy their love, you’re trying to express your own. Jewelry and other bank-breaking items are very typical. When searching for a special something for that lover on your list, try to balance the big ticket item with something that only makes sense to the both of you. If you watch TV late at night and catch those infomercials featuring people hopped up on something other than holiday spirit, buy that. If you need any more helpful hints I’ve heard that an attractive, intelligent, single man has come up with a little buyer’s guide that may have just the thing you’re looking for. (See Arts & Leisure for more details.)
Next are traditions. Trying to integrate somebody new into a tradition that might transcend generations is a little daunting for the newbie. For example, if you have a family cookie baking contest, assure them that although some smack talk may ensue, winning the contest will not have you barred from the house.
Conversely, if one of you is religious while the other is not, it may be a nice gesture to attend mass with them. While it might prove a bit painful for some, it’s bound to be heavily rewarded. For those of you who live some distance from one another, the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traditions of your respective families should be respected. Perhaps wait until after all of the presents have been exchanged and breakfast is over before making that holiday phone call because it’s bound to take a little while and it’s nice to spend time devoted to your respective households. Plus, let’s be honest: you called or texted them exactly on midnight didn’t you? Thought so.
My final piece of advice here is to make a new tradition. Since both of you come from different families the integration I mentioned earlier won’t be complete until marriage (another topic entirely). So decorate a tree in the dorms, create a Christmas parody or even your own song to send to people. Christmastime is the best time to become a little zany, so go all-out. Take a lot of pictures, drink tons of eggnog and of course try to find some strategically placed mistletoe.