Our First Christmas as Newlyweds: A Cozy Celebration at Home
There’s something magical about Christmas when you’re newly married. For Drew and me, our first Christmas as husband and wife was all about creating traditions, sharing laughter, and embracing the beauty of the season together. It was a holiday filled with joy, compromise, and a little bit of friendly disagreement (more on that later).
Decking the Halls Together
We decided early on that we wanted our first Christmas to be celebrated at home. It felt important to set the tone for how we’d celebrate the holidays moving forward—a mix of cozy simplicity and heartfelt traditions. Decorating the house became one of my favorite parts of the season. I cranked up the holiday music, got out the ornaments, proceeded to sprinkle some Santa in every nook and corner. Drew really wanted to set up his train set, so we put that out, too.
Drew was a good sport about all the decorations. He typically likes things more on the minimal side, but I have all the decorations from my mom and grandma, that it’s hard to go low-key when there is just so much! While he doesn’t help me put everything up, I think down deep, he really likes the festive mood when it’s all done.
A Delicious Christmas Eve Dinner
The highlight of our holiday was hosting Christmas Eve dinner for our family. It was the first time we had everyone over as a married couple, and I wanted to make it special. We spent the day cooking up a feast. I made some yummy Swedish meatballs that I think my Grandma Frances would have been proud of. Togheter, we made a wonderful apple pie. It was my first time making a pie!. It was a collaborative effort that left everyone raving.
The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of warmth only family can bring. The table glowed with candles, and we toasted to new beginnings, old traditions, and the joy of being together. Hosting was a labor of love, and it felt so rewarding to see everyone enjoying the fruits of our teamwork.
The Great Gift-Opening Debate
Now, let’s talk about the one area where Drew and I had a bit of a holiday standoff: when to open gifts. I grew up in a family where opening gifts on Christmas Eve was the tradition. There’s something so magical about sitting by the fire, unwrapping presents under the glow of the tree, and enjoying the anticipation of Christmas morning without the pressure of gifts hanging over your head.
Drew, however, is a staunch Christmas Day traditionalist. For him, the excitement builds all season long and culminates in the magic of Christmas morning. He believes in savoring the wait, which, admittedly, I find a little torturous.
We playfully debated it for weeks leading up to Christmas. “Why wait when we can open just one tonight?” I’d tease him on Christmas Eve, holding up a brightly wrapped box. “Patience is a virtue,” he’d counter, grinning as he firmly set the gifts aside for the next day.
Ultimately, we compromised (sort of). We stuck to Drew’s Christmas morning plan this year, but I’m already planting the seeds for a hybrid approach next year—maybe just stockings on Christmas Eve? Marriage is all about meeting halfway, right?
New Traditions and Endless Memories
Looking back on our first Christmas together, what stands out most is how much love and laughter filled our home. From decorating the tree to hosting family and even navigating the gift debate, every moment felt like we were laying the foundation for a lifetime of holiday memories.
As we curled up on Christmas night, relaxing and reflecting on the day, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for Drew, for our home, and for the chance to create a holiday season that felt uniquely ours. Here’s to many more Christmases together—filled with joy, compromise, and maybe a little debate over when to open those gifts.
