The holiday season is a wonderful time of year. It's also a crazy, busy time and it is easy to feel disconnected from your spouse. Both of you are juggling extra responsibilities: fighting for peace with the extended family, keeping the house extra clean for visitors, searching for the perfect gift, and making sure the kids are creating memories... it’s too much!
Finding a baby sitter to watch your brood for some one-on-one time is also harder this time of the year - everyone is busy! The best thing to do is to wait for the littles to fall asleep, camp out on the couch with your spouse, and choose one of the following movies:
1 - Home Alone
Order a cheese pizza with extra cheese and wish each other a “Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal.” Reminiscing over childhood memories is a perfect bonding experience during the holidays, even if it means you have to hear the Aunt Shirley story for the hundredth time. Watching Home Alone as an adult will make you feel better about your parenting choices. I doubt either one of you would get on a plane without your child. I also doubt you would let one of your children have a pet tarantula. Yikes!
2 - While You Were Sleeping
You guys... this movie features Sandra Bullock at her “girl next door” cutest. A lonely toll booth operator without family on the holidays saves the life of her unrequited crush who goes into a coma. While in the coma, his family believes her to be his fiancee, but it doesn’t stop her from falling for his brother. Make Chicago dogs or have some deep dish pizza as an homage to the city this story is set in.
3 - An Affair to Remember
Dress up in your dressiest clothes, make sure you have something bubbly to drink, and serve the fanciest food you can find. This film is a lavish production about a millionaire playboy who falls in love with a lounge singer on an European cruise. Although they’re both engaged to other people, they decide to meet in six months if their feelings for each other remain. The costumes are amazing, the settings are extravagant, and the best part is the romantic feelings that come along with it.
4 - Die Hard
Seriously? Die Hard? Yes, seriously. If your spouse loves action, this is a great compromise. Bruce Willis and Carl from Family Matters become unlikely friends while Bruce Willis tries to save his estranged wife from terrorists. The man walks on glass! That is love, right there. Besides, you can always have your favorite food or dessert.
5 - The Apartment
If you’re in the mood for drama, there isn’t a better Christmas drama than this. C.C. Baxter works for a big insurance firm in New York City. The executives use his apartment as a love nest for their flings. When the big boss finds out, he wants a piece of the action. This movie has a love triangle, suicide attempt, office politics and unashamedly shares the darker side of the holiday season. You’ll definitely need tissues to go with this movie.
Don't let the stress of the holidays put a strain on your marriage. Take time to enjoy the person who makes the holidays extra special to you.
