There’s no doubt about it. You and your girlfriend are the perfect couple. Your first holiday season together is an important milestone. Show how much you appreciate your relationship by organizing some fun activities that you’re both sure to enjoy. They don’t have to break the bank, either. As you’ll see below, there are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to spread the holiday cheer.

Share an Experience

As the carol goes, spend some time together “walking in a winter wonderland.” Stroll through a neighborhood all lit up for Christmas. See if your friends or neighbors have an informal caroling group—or start one of your own! Enjoy some childhood nostalgia with a snowball fight. Go ice skating together since there’s nothing more romantic than holding onto your girl as you skate side by side.

Plus, when you’re both done with the cold, you get to head indoors and snuggle up together to keep warm. Break out that classic plaid blanket and settle in for a holiday movie marathon. Read stories to each other like “The Night Before Christmas.” If the two of you are foodies, bake some cookies, decorate a gingerbread house, or drink some hot chocolate. If you’re feeling extra adventurous in the kitchen, you can try making your own marshmallows to add to the hot chocolate!

Start a Tradition

Part of the fun of the holidays comes from those little traditions that you can look forward to every year. Since this is your first time celebrating with your girlfriend, making a shared memory like that will bring you closer together. Commemorate an inside joke with an ornament, or go classic with the “Elf on a Shelf.” Hanging mistletoe might be cheesy, but it’s also a great excuse to steal an extra kiss. Gather your loved ones for an “Ugly Christmas Sweater” party and start a yearly competition for ugliest sweater, or have a potluck together with a “Secret Santa” theme. Talk to your girlfriend about your respective cultural heritages, and find traditions unique to them.

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Take a Class Together

Hit up your local community center or craft store to see if they have holiday-themed classes. For instance, you and your girlfriend can get a head start on decorating by learning how to make an ornament or wreath. Take a class on decorative wrapping, then put your skills to good use with a little friendly competition. Swap lists and use a groopdealz coupon to save on the items themselves. Then go all out with gift wrapping supplies. See who can use the most bows or the shiniest wrapping paper. That way you can have as much fun opening the gift as you will discovering what’s inside!

Volunteer

Give the gift of the holiday spirit to those in need. Instead of asking for presents, the two of you can request that your names be registered at a charity (or charities) that are close to your heart. This time of the year always sees a higher demand for soup kitchens, so you can spend a day serving food or simply donate non-perishables. Homeless shelters also receive an influx of residents this season. Call to ask if they have a list of particular items that they’d appreciate. Some even have Amazon wish lists to make donations easy. Go shopping for a local child and make their year with the most in-demand gifts.

The holidays are always magical, but this year its extra wonderful since you can spend it with your girlfriend for the first time. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the most important thing is being together.

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