• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy1
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · Relationships

How To Protect Your Relationship From Holiday Drama

With the holidays just around the corner, professional matchmakers Tana Gilmore and Kelli Fisher offer eight easy ways to say no to drama and hello to bliss. Here's how to keep your relationship safe and intact during the busy holiday season.

By The Matchmaking Duo · November 3, 2015October 27, 2020
01
Tis The Season For No Drama

With the holidays just around the corner, professional matchmakers Tana Gilmore and Kelli Fisher offer eight easy ways to say no to drama and hello to bliss. Here’s how to keep your relationship safe and intact during the busy holiday season.

Getty Images
02
Think Before You RSVP

Between the two of you, you may get invited to at least a dozen parties throughout the holiday season. Choose wisely. The gatherings that have like-minded, relationship-oriented couples will help bring the two of you closer together with positive energy all around you. Some parties spell trouble before you even arrive. Think before you RSVP.

Getty Images
03
Fire Up That Signature Dish

You know that dish you make that has everyone raving and singing your praises in front of your man? It’s time to grab that recipe. We know you can always throw down on mac and cheese, but that is so traditional.  Master something different that only you know how to make and that will leave a lasting impression. There’s nothing like your man leaving the party knowing everyone is raving about his woman’s cooking and how much they enjoyed it.

Getty Images
04
Splurge On A Fab Dress and Fierce Shoes

If you’ve been in a relationship for a while, it’s very easy to become comfortable and not feel the need to do anything differently during the holidays. That feeling of stability is great, but it’s important to use this time to refresh your look and remind your man just how much you sparkle. No matter how comfortable he may be, men are visual, and a fresh new color in your hair, a flirty dress or show-stopping heels will reignite his fire for you all over again.

Getty Images
05
Make Great First Impressions With Family

Congrats, things are officially moving to the next level in your relationship if you’re meeting each other’s family for the first time. Remember first impressions are lasting impressions.  Why not bring something that shows your warmth and sense of family?  Show off your signature personality and your smarts with confidence. Bake a pie or if you’re not a baker, order a statement cake or fun cupcakes that you know taste fabulous.  This little touch will be a nice ending to the meal and will leave a lasting memory of how sweet you are with the family.

Getty Images
06
Prep Him To Meet Your Family

Let him know “Aunt Elaine is my mom’s sister and she occasionally tells an off-colored joke or Uncle Joe tends to get a little intoxicated.“  If you give him a brief synopsis of who he can expect to meet and what they’re all about, he can start to remember names in advance and appreciate the forewarning as he attempts to connect.

Getty Images
07
Don’t Disappear

Don’t just up and leave and go run off to visit with old cousins or friends and not include him in the mix. Circle back and continue to check on him while you’re having family time.  Throw in a compliment in front of friends and family if you can so he still feels like you’re a team even though you may not always be in the same room together.

Getty Images
08
Give Gifts With Care

As lovers it’s important to pay attention and listen to what makes each other happy. Use this time to listen out for what might be a homerun holiday gift that shows that you care. I will show that you’re listening and behind each other 100-percent.

Getty Images
09
Take The Pressure Off

Emotions can run high during the holidays.  It either brings out the very best or the worst in us.  Play it cool and maintain an even temperament. Evaluate whether it’s time to scale back the budget or incorporate a family grab bag where everyone picks a name rather than buying gifts for all.  Maybe you can attend a play or concert as a group and let those memories spent together be the gift. The season is really about sharing the love.

Getty Images
10
Meet The Matchmaking Duo

Fisher Gilmore Matchmaking is an exclusive agency of “heart hunters” led by The Matchmaking DUO™ (Kelli Fisher & Tana Gilmore). They provide matchmaking services personally designed to accommodate busy, successful professionals who are seeking long-term love. They pride themselves on giving their clients a lot of what they want, and even more of what they need. For more advice from them visit their site or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

The Matchmaking Duo

Read More

Entertainment
9 Moments We Loved From D'Angelo & Friends On Verzuz
Entertainment
Celebrate Black History Every Day Of The Year With Mayor Aja...
music
14 Films To Watch Before Reggae Month Is Over
Awards & Events
Everything You Need to Know About The 2021 Golden Globes
Op-Ed
'Rejection Gave Me A Compass For My Current Career'
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now