As the holiday season approaches, couples often find themselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, family events, and work obligations. However, this time of year can also serve as a perfect opportunity for a "relationship reset," refocusing on what truly matters: our relationships.

Anissa Cooke, relationship researcher and author of 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover, introduces her Intimacy Growth Framework™ (IGF), a structured approach that helps couples reignite emotional and physical intimacy through communication, intimacy, and trust. IGF emphasizes the importance of consistent, meaningful interactions to foster lasting closeness.

With the holidays offering built-in moments for connection, Cooke's IGF provides actionable strategies to make the most of these festive occasions. Here are three practical ways to do a “relationship reset” this season:
1. Cook the Holiday Meal Together
Spending time in the kitchen together can be a powerful way to bond. Cooking a holiday meal allows couples to collaborate, plan, and create something together. Whether it's a cozy dinner for two or a larger family gathering, cooking together fosters teamwork, encourages conversation, and brings warmth to the relationship. The shared experience of preparing a meal can lead to deepened intimacy and create lasting holiday memories.
2. Entertain Friends at Home
The holidays are also a time for socializing, and hosting friends at home can enhance emotional intimacy. Entertaining together gives couples the opportunity to work as a team while sharing their social lives with one another. By collaborating to host a gathering, couples strengthen their bond and build a shared sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s a dinner party or a casual get-together, the experience of co-hosting allows couples to appreciate each other in a new way.
3. Spend Time with Extended Families
For many couples, the holidays involve spending time with extended family members. While family gatherings can be stressful, they also provide an opportunity to gain insight into each other’s backgrounds, traditions, and values. By embracing each other's family customs, couples can build a deeper emotional connection and create new holiday traditions together, blending their shared experiences into one harmonious family celebration.

These small but meaningful gestures, drawn from Cooke’s 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover, are designed to bring couples closer, even during the busiest time of the year.

"The holidays can be hectic, but with intention, they’re the perfect time to reignite emotional and physical closeness—bringing joy and building lasting intimacy for couples into the new year,” says Cooke.

For more ideas on how to strengthen your relationship and reignite romance, readers can find additional insights in 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover, available now.

About Anissa Cooke
Anissa Cooke is a relationship researcher and the author of 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover. With insights drawn from interviews with people in long-term, committed relationships, Cooke provides practical advice for couples looking to deepen their intimacy and build stronger emotional bonds. Learn more at belle-wether.com.