Being romantic: does it mean she wants a Shakespearean sonnet or just the dishes done? Should you plan a grand gesture or stick to something thoughtful and kind? Don't forget it’s the holidays, so her expectations are probably dialed up to 11. No pressure.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a hopeless romantic to knock her socks off. Sometimes, all it takes to reignite passion or maintain an emotional connection is some good, old-fashioned effort and preparation. Let this guide be your cheat sheet.
Holiday Romance: What Does It Even Mean?
Forget Romeo and Juliet. Well-planned romantic ideas seldom end in tragedy. The point is to make your partner feel seen, valued and wanted so you can enjoy more satisfying emotional bonds and physical intimacy. It’s a science; just ask Harvard. i
Think small, genuine gestures and meaningful moments you both enjoy followed by bold moves to show you care. Being romantic during the holidays (or any time for that matter) doesn’t have to be a big production. If you’re worried about meeting her expectations or keeping up with her energy, remember confidence is key.
The Cunning Linguist: Learning Her Love Language
If you don’t know her love language, it’s time to learn. Knowing how to be romantic on holidays is only half the battle. You must show interest, admiration, and affection in ways that resonate with her. Trust this cheat code to help make you a romantic legend.
Love languages are a concept coined by Dr. Gary Chapman, which identifies five primary ways people give and receive love. ii The five languages include:
Acts of Service
Quality Time
Words of Affirmation
Getting Gifts
Physical Touch
Understanding your partner’s love language helps you be more romantic by eliminating the guesswork.
Four Romantic Ideas: Holiday Edition
Big anniversary? Birthday? Christmas or Valentine’s Day? Romance her pants off with the high-impact ideas:
Host a Reverse Date
Instead of planning what you think is romantic, take the reins and recreate her perfect day. Take a walk in her shoes: start with her favorite breakfast (even if it’s snowflake-shaped pancakes), follow it with a midday surprise, and end the night doing whatever she’s been hinting at.
Pro Tip: Bonus points if you wear something she’s mentioned she likes.
Love Languages: Quality Time, Acts of Service
Homegrown Holiday Movie Plot
Here’s a romantic idea for making the holidays hotter. Rent a secluded spot or transform your living room into a lover’s paradise. Since effort is the critical component here, perhaps spend the day exchanging gifts, arguing over which ornaments go where, and sipping wine while pretending to be too cold by the fire.
Pro Tip: End the night with a grand finale.
Love Languages: Quality Time, Giving/Receiving Gifts
Drop a Nostalgia Bomb
Sometimes, romance means reliving your greatest hits. Recreate the best moments of your relationship, starting from breakfast and ending in an afternoon delight. Take her to memorable locations, dig up old photos, and reminisce while adding “director’s commentary” about what you were thinking during those moments.
Pro Tip: Give her a physical token to remember the day.
Love Languages: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation
H3: Take an Adventurous Detour
The holiday season is the perfect time for a romantic treasure hunt. Leave clues around the house leading her to tiny trinkets of your affection, then make each one reflect something unique about your relationship. Make the final stop in the bedroom, with a holiday-themed surprise waiting.
Pro Tip: Use Rugiet Ready to stay primed for peak performance.
Love Languages: Quality Time, Physical Touch
Who needs reservations when you can turn any time or place into your romantic playground? Set up a fun, relaxing vibe, and enjoy your time together. The holidays won’t last forever, but the impression you make tonight might.
Conclusion
They say the holidays are a time for magic, connection, and romance. However, they’re also a time to practice your best moves, upgrade your A-game, and climb on top (in more ways than one).
Take the reins this holiday season; light the candles, say the things, do the stuff — because being romantic doesn’t have to be ridiculous.
SOURCES
[i] Harvard Library. (n.d.). Dating and courtship manuals. In Romance and courtship: Sources at Harvard.
https://guides.library.harvard.edu/romanceandcourtship/datingandcourtshipmanuals
[ii] Chapman, G. (n.d.). The 5 love languages. https://5lovelanguages.com/
