Winter Break? Hopefully Not…
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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As the weather gets colder, you're probably hoping that the situation with your significant other will be wonderful so you can walk everywhere hand in hand and snuggle while doing homework to conserve body heat. Too bad that's definitely not the case here at Harvard. Colder weather translates to more sneezing, fewer outdoor dates, and… drum roll, please… exams. If it hasn't hit you yet (and you might want to stop reading this and get your life together if you are unaware), exams are right around the corner. You have less time and motivation to look put together, the weather is cold and dreary and you're super stressed about three papers and four exams. Don't let your stress (or that of your partner) drive you both insane; you'll be left to enjoy your winter break… single. It is important now, more than ever, to communicate well with your boyfriend and be aware of how much work you both have due and the due dates. Be supportive, not selfish or nagging. Because as important as your relationship is, it does not (fortunately or unfortunately, you decide) get factored into either of your GPAs.
All of December does not have to be spent in the Widener stacks; there are plenty of ways to maintain romance in these cold and rough times. Before you both leave for J-Term, make sure you take the initiative to plan (and execute!) one of these thoughtful winter romance ideas.
- Take a study break and bring a coffee mug to your dining hall. Fill up with hot chocolate and bring some marshmallows too. When you get back to your room, bring out that board game buried at the bottom of your closet with your flip-flops. Cuddle with your sweetie, sip on some hot cocoa, and play away! Take it to the next level: Use (or borrow!) a Snuggie and figure out a way for both of you to fit!
- While he's taking a shower, dim the lights and bring out some scented oil (candles if you want to take the risk). When he comes out, kindly offer to give him a good rubdown or massage. Don't pick a lotion that is too girly, but make sure it has a nice, clean, relaxing scent. Take it to the next level: Shower together (saving water!), and alternate giving massages.
- If you have a cushiony rug, sit on the floor and flip through magazines together, or a leisure book you've been meaning to read. Relax your brains from all that studying, and put your MacBook down! Hard to get him to put away the books? Offer to read him part of that monstrous 40-page study guide for his Gov class. Make him hold you in return, and everyone will be happy!
- Instead of going out to eat, go to Shaw's together and buy some groceries for preparing a meal together. Go all out: get something simple for appetizers, easy-to-cook chicken cutlets, some rice or pasta, and then brownie mix for desert. Ask your friend in DeWolfe if you can borrow their kitchen (offering them some leftovers will probably suffice), or head to a kitchen in one of the freshman dorms to make your feast together. Over 21? Up the romance factor with some classy wine.
- In the holiday mood? Make a playlist of holiday songs. Make sure there is variety: some old school, some new ones, church songs, and your favorite selections from celebrity Christmas CDs. Put up Christmas lights together while listening to your playlist on shuffle. Lights will brighten up your room and make you less vulnerable to the urge to take four-hour naps on dreary days. Know how to make eggnog? Indulge a bit! Just don't get too excited…
- Not afraid of the cold? Go ice-skating at Frog Pond in Boston Common (a five-minute walk from the Park Street T stop, $4 + $8 skate rental/person). There's also a free ice-skating rink at the Law School if you want a more local (and recession-friendly) option.
If you're successful in pulling one or a couple of these off, your relationship will be in a good place when you both go home for the holidays. J-Term is super long, so make plans to see each other over the break, even if that means Skyping every other day. Also, don't forget a thoughtful gift for your boo; make sure you both decide if you’re going to mail them or exchange them in person to avoid any confusion! Most of all, enjoy the final weeks of the semester and enjoy your extra-long winter break… hopefully still as a taken woman!
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