Marriage in the Mayhem: Staying Connected When the Holidays Take Over
- KOunscripted
- Nov 17, 2025
- 2 min read
By K & O of KO Unscripted
Ah, the holidays — the season of joy, magic… and bickering in the Target parking lot.
Between Thanksgiving feasts, office parties, and trying to remember if you already bought stocking stuffers for the dog, marriage during the holidays can feel like a team sport you didn’t exactly sign up for.
Because while Instagram couples are out here ice-skating hand-in-hand under twinkle lights, most of us are arguing about who forgot to thaw the turkey out or whose family we’re spending Christmas Eve with this year.
When the To-Do List Becomes the Third Wheel
Somewhere between trying not to burn the turkey and trimming the tree, your relationship starts to take a backseat. You’re both running on caffeine, sugar cookies, and sheer survival. And even though you’re technically “together,” you feel more like holiday coworkers than partners.
You’re dividing and conquering, but not really connecting.And honestly? That’s the quiet struggle most couples don’t talk about.
How to Keep the Connection (Even in Chaos)
Make Eye Contact, Not Just Calendar Contact It’s easy to get lost in logistics. Make time — even five minutes — to look at each other, not just the shared Google calendar.
Tag Team the Crazy Instead of keeping score (“I wrapped the gifts, you owe me dinner!”), treat the season like a team challenge. Some nights, it’s his turn to save the day. Other nights, it’s yours. Either way, you’re in it together.
Find One Tradition That’s Just Yours Amid the chaos of everyone else’s expectations, carve out a little piece that’s just for you two. Late-night hot chocolate after wrapping gifts, matching pajamas, watching a movie after the kids go to bed — small things matter.
Laugh at the Mess The turkey might burn. The lights won't all work. Someone will forget batteries. But humor is glue during the holidays — and laughing together beats arguing about who’s to blame.
The KO Truth
Marriage during the holidays isn’t about the perfect date night or romantic fireplace moments (though those are nice). It’s about choosing each other — again and again — even when you’re knee-deep in Amazon boxes and kid chaos.
So, pour the wine. Put on the Christmas playlist. And remember — the real magic isn’t in the matching pajamas or the picture-perfect Christmas card.
It’s in the way you still reach for each other… even when life gets loud.
xo,
K & O
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