Make your partner feel special this Xmas

It is that time of the year again when we get a bit more time to spend with the people we love. Most times they say Christmas season is family time, but as you get together, why not think of something special for your partner. If you will be getting away from your boyfriend or girlfriend, leave something they can embrace in your absence, and if married, do something special for your spouse. Pauline Bangirana gives clues.

“I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents,
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you,”

If you have heard of this song by Mariah Carey, then you probably are taking guesses on what you are yet to read about. The festive season is here and much as many will be up and down, there are those waiting silently for you to show them that you really care about them. And yes, just as the song, I think I would want the same thing- my partner’s presence all throughout the festive season. To some, it is a lot to ask for, but if you truly love someone, nothing is ever too much.
Forget the cliché that love expression is for young couples, most probably because they are still eager and have not seen the harsh world. Maybe it is true, but even you that have been together for over 10 years deserve to rekindle this spark that attracted you to the one you are with.
And like the song Love the one you’re with by Stephen Stills says, there is no better way of loving the one you are with than showing them through your actions that you appreciate them for who they are and what they have been in the year. After all, love is all about actions and not just words.

MAKE TIME JUST FOR YOU TWO
Are you that partner who is always on the move, and only get to see your loved one once a week, once in two weeks or worse once a month, let this festive season be a time for you to rekindle your relationship. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but the truth is, sometimes this may be the same thing that could ruin your relationship. Although lost time can never be regained, a little effort can create precious memories that both of you can hold onto. There are a lot of things you can do as a couple, away from the usual movie nights or dinner in a nice restaurant. Get out of your usual shelves and do something different; for example Uganda is blessed with so many parks, so go to the park for a weekend, go to Jinja for bungee jumping, organise a picnic, and just try things they like but you have never been involved in. “I want to take her to her favourite bar for wine-tasting, and I plan on doing it with her,” Peter Okello, a bellboy, shares, adding that it will be his way of showing his girlfriend that no matter what, he can always do anything for her.

CUSTOMISED MUSIC COLLECTION
I remember once, one of my suitors (but it is really way back) made me a CD collection of the songs I really like. He had always asked me what my favourite songs were and I think he kept observing the songs that made me drift away; one of them was Ghetto Love by Karl Wolf. That song always made me melt and I never got tired of listening to it. On the D-day, this guy told me that he had a surprise for me. My first guess was not even close and after a few guesses, he handed me the CD. I was not excited but when I went home and listened to the CD, I was humbled by the thought. He had taken time to notice my favourite songs and he surprised me. Although our relationship is history, I still have that CD and although new songs keep coming up, some of those songs still make me smile. But that was his way, how are you showing the one you love that you really appreciate them? This holiday season comes along with various offers, but you need to understand that with or without money, you can make the person you love smile. A gift is not all about how expensive it is or looks, but rather about the thought to make the person you love realise that it is they that melt your heart away. So take a hint from my surprise, if not make them a list of the songs they love, compile a list of songs that make both of you happy, that way when one is away, the music is there to remind them of you. Alternatively, record yourself singing a song they like, and send it to them. This should really get them smiling and thinking about you, even if it is for a short while.

GIFTS
“I am planning on getting her a gift, most probably shoes and a dress this festive season,” Gerald Tumwebaze, a cleaner, says. Exchanging gifts is a tradition that never dies out in the festive season. Women love shoes, dresses, scents and chocolates, and in case you are terrible at gifts, you could just walk into the supermarket and just carry a kitchen or bathroom hamper. “I have got my girl a gift voucher to one of the spas around town for a special treat this festive season. Her voucher entails a facial and back massage since she has been so busy with work this entire year, so I want to surprise her with the treat,” Peter Musoke, a communications manager, says. Regardless of the price of the present, someone is always flattered by the thought. So get the one you love a gift and let the festive season be a platform of your unending love.

EAT OUT
Eating out never goes out of fashion. Yes, you may have been doing it often, but you can still make it a special dinner, say in a secluded place, punctuated by the allure of candle lighting. You can order the Christmas special in case the restaurant is offering it, as this usually comes with something extra. “I plan to go with my partner for an eat out at one of the hotels around town in celebration of the festive season and it will be my way of reminding him that I do love him and appreciate his effort in making me happy”, Helen Etoori, a marketeer, says. Alternatively, you can both stay in and make a meal that your partner loves. He can cook as she passes the tomatoes and bowls.

PROPOSE
“I am planning to propose to her this season,” Ronald Awany, a journalist, shares, adding that he has been with his girlfriend for quite some time now and he is convinced that he should take their relationship to the next level. “This will prove to her that I am serious about her being my lifetime partner”. He did not hint on how he plans to propose to her, but I was reminded of a friend who witnessed a marriage proposal in a cinema. No, this was not a movie. So, if you have been waiting for a perfect timing to ask her, maybe this is about time you made one lucky girl feel lucky and get her out of doubt.

GET OUT OF TOWN

“Every Christmas has been with my parents but this time around, my parents wanted time alone and as such, I plan to spend this festive season with my girlfriend. I want to take her on a road trip to one of the districts, take her around all the nice places I know around the area and spend quality time with her. I hope this time is enough for us to enjoy each other’s company and also appreciate ourselves for who we are,” Philip Kahwa, a businessman, says. So like Philip, if your partner doesn’t have anything serious lined up, surprise them with a trip to their dream destination or just hit the road to the park, Jinja or even a road trip to Kenya.

ARTISTIC PORTRAIT
“I want an artist to draw a portrait of the both us on a frame and I will give it to her as her festive special reminder of our relationship,” Robert Isabirye, a graphics designer, says. Art is not something that has rubbed onto many people yet, but needless to say, it is one of the most appreciated gifts for anyone. Pick out one of your most precious photos, maybe a nice one they have never seen before and have it painted. It could be a photo of both of you or one of just you or your partner. It will make them feel special and get them smiling every time they see it. Also, when their friends visit their house, watch out for the beam on their face when they are asked where the precious gift came from. That way, they also get to love you more and be prouder of you each day.