How to build more intimacy this holiday season
The holiday season is often filled with joy, connection, and celebration. But it can also be a time of stress and overwhelm. Between shopping, travel, and the pressure to make everything perfect, we can sometimes lose sight of what truly matters: the intimate connections we share with the people we love. Especially our partners.
According to a new study, 24 percent of couples say their holiday plans cause tension in their relationship, while 23 percent feel guilty or pressured by either their own families or that of their partner. So with that, how do you actually build more intimacy when so much of the season feels busy or chaotic?
But here’s a secret: the holiday season doesn’t have to be a time of shallow interactions or distant connections; instead, it can be a season to focus on how to create intimacy in all aspects of our relationships. Here are some ways to build more intimacy this holiday season, below.
1. Prioritize quality time
In a world where we're constantly distracted by work, social media, and holiday obligations, the most precious gift you can give someone is your time. Intimacy thrives when you show up fully present for the people you care about. This means putting down your phone, stepping away from the endless to-do list, and simply being together.
It doesn’t have to be just about sex, either.
Make a commitment to spend uninterrupted time with your partner—whether it’s taking a walk in nature, cooking a meal together, or simply sitting by the fire and talking. These are the moments where true connection can happen. It’s not about doing anything extravagant, but rather being present and engaged.
2. Be vulnerable and share your feelings
Intimacy is built on vulnerability. Sharing your thoughts, feelings, and desires—not just the surface-level small talk—fosters emotional closeness. During the holidays, emotions can run high, and while it's easy to get caught up in the hustle, it’s also a great time to open up to those you care about.
Tell your partner how much you appreciate them. Share memories from your childhood that shaped you. Open up about your hopes and dreams for the future. These conversations might be hard to start, but they deepen your bond and help you truly understand each other. Vulnerability creates a space where trust can grow, and in turn, intimacy strengthens.
3. Plan special traditions
One way to really nurture intimacy in and out of the bedroom is by creating traditions that are meaningful and unique to your relationship. Special rituals or customs, even if they’re small, provide opportunities to connect in a deeper way. This might be something as simple as having a quiet moment before bed to reflect on the day, writing down gratitude notes for each other, or even taking a yearly trip to a place you both love.
4. Get physically closer
During the holiday season, the natural impulse is often to embrace the busy, hustle-and-bustle atmosphere. But a lack of physical closeness can leave emotional distance between you and your loved ones.
Here at Bloomi, we recommend simple gestures, like holding hands, hugging, or cuddling on the couch,to foster closeness and connection. After all, research shows that physical touch can help lower stress, promote a sense of security, and build trust. So, whether it's a long hug after a stressful day or sharing a quiet moment of touch, physical intimacy can significantly enhance the emotional bond you share.
Sex, of course, is another powerful way to deepen intimacy. If you’re looking for mood boosters, it can be helpful to incorporate some new presents in the mix too, like:
Luxe Arousal Oil ($45): Try out our Luxe Arousal Oil to get in the mood! It’s a clean, oil-based formula made with plant-derived ingredients that help increase pleasure before and during intimate moments.
Caress Full-Body Massager ($65): Who doesn’t love a romantic massage? With Caress, you and your lover can get even closer with this powerful, flexible, body massager designed to relieve all of the holiday tension and stress.
Quickie Bundle ($43): You may not have a lot of time — but you do have time for a quickie. With our Quickie Bundle, feat. our Play Mini Vibrator and Smooth water-based lubricant, you’ll have just what you need to get you both feeling relaxed and even closer.
5. Create meaningful conversations around the table
Holiday meals are often a central part of the season. But instead of letting dinner be just about the food or the obligatory small talk, take this time to dive into deeper conversations. Ask questions that encourage vulnerability and connection.
Instead of discussing the latest news or trivial matters, ask things like, “What’s been the most meaningful part of your year?” or “What’s one thing you’re grateful for right now?”
6. Engage in acts of service
There’s a unique kind of intimacy that comes from serving others, whether it’s within your family, with your partner, or even in your community. Acts of service not only show you care, but also build a sense of mutual respect and appreciation.
Helping your partner prepare for a holiday gathering, making time for a charitable cause, or even just offering to handle some of the stressful holiday tasks for a loved one can deepen your emotional connection. It’s in these acts of selflessness that intimacy grows.
In the midst of the chaos, we can choose to focus on how to build intimacy and cultivate more closeness with our lovers — let the holidays be a reminder that intimacy, in all its forms, is the true gift we can give and receive.