Savour the Season: Tips for engaged couples to enjoy their last Christmas before the Wedding

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting yet demanding chapters of life. With 2024 winding down, many couples tying the knot in 2025 may feel tempted to let wedding planning consume every moment of the festive season. However, your last Christmas and New Year’s as an engaged couple are opportunities to connect, celebrate, and create unforgettable memories before the whirlwind of 2025 begins.

Here are some ways to hit pause on planning, embrace the magic of the holidays, and truly enjoy this special time:

1. Set Boundaries for Wedding Talk

• Create a Planning-Free Zone: Declare Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve as “wedding-free days.” Focus solely on celebrating and being present with loved ones.

• Limit Wedding Discussions: Politely ask family and friends to hold off on wedding questions. It’s perfectly fine to let them know you’re taking a short break from planning to enjoy the holidays.

2. Make Holiday Traditions Your Own

• Blend Your Families’ Traditions: Whether it’s baking mince pies, watching classic Christmas films, or attending a candlelit service, embrace the joy of combining each other’s holiday customs.

• Start a New Tradition Together: Begin something uniquely yours, like making a personalised bauble, writing each other holiday letters, or setting up a themed New Year’s Eve dinner at home.

3. Plan for Connection, Not Perfection

• Keep It Simple: Instead of stressing over elaborate holiday plans, focus on activities that let you connect—cosy nights in, scenic winter walks, or a romantic dinner.

• Reflect on the Journey: Use this time to look back on your relationship. What were the best moments of your engagement? What are you most excited for in 2025?

4. Exchange Thoughtful, Wedding-Free Gifts

• Celebrate Your Love Outside Wedding Planning: Skip practical wedding-related gifts like décor or registry items. Instead, opt for something meaningful—tickets to a show, a scrapbook of your engagement, or a book you’ve both wanted to read.

• Give the Gift of Time: Plan a pre-wedding getaway in early 2025 or a simple, stress-free date after the holidays.

5. Indulge in Festive Romance

• Go on a Holiday Date Night: Visit a Christmas market, tour holiday light displays, or go ice skating. Celebrate the season with moments that feel straight out of a rom-com.

• Share a New Year’s Eve Countdown Kiss: Make this New Year’s Eve special by focusing on your love rather than your to-do list. Reflect on the past year and toast to the exciting future ahead.

6. Lean Into Gratitude

• Write Thank-You Notes Together: If loved ones have helped with wedding preparations or showered you with engagement gifts, use the holidays to express your gratitude.

• Appreciate Each Other: Take a moment to thank your fiancé(e) for the partnership you’ve built. Celebrate how far you’ve come together.

7. Capture the Memories

• Take Photos and Videos: Your last festive season before becoming a married couple is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Capture it with candid photos, a Christmas photoshoot, or a holiday video diary.

• Create a Holiday Memory Box: Save mementos like a Christmas card addressed to “fiancé & fiancée” or a holiday party invitation for your keepsakes.

8. Plan for Rest and Reset

• Prioritise Downtime: The holidays can be hectic, so carve out time to relax and recharge. Enjoy lazy mornings, read together, or binge-watch your favourite shows.

• Set a Wedding Planning Restart Date: Pick a specific day after the holidays to dive back into planning. Knowing when you’ll return to wedding mode can help you fully embrace your time off.

Final Thoughts

Your last festive season as an engaged couple is a special chapter in your love story. By setting aside wedding planning and immersing yourselves in the magic of Christmas and New Year’s, you’ll create memories that strengthen your bond and set the tone for a joyful wedding year ahead.

Remember, the holidays are about love, connection, and celebration. So, park the planning, sip some mulled wine, and revel in this enchanting season together!

Wishing you a merry and love-filled festive season—and an incredible wedding year in 2025!