Cuffing season is still in full swing, and the pressure is on. Cuffing season covers five holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day. Rushing into a relationship for couples costumes, meeting the family, gifts and a New Year’s kiss can cause decisions that mistake a temporary love for something more serious. Save yourself the hassle, and go solo to family gatherings.
Meeting the family can be rewarding, but it’s also very stressful. If you are choosing to bring a new significant other to Thanksgiving, realize the pressure both you and they are under. Families can have tension, so it is best to get the lay of the land from your partner first on how to interact with their family and vice versa. Ensuring your partner understands your family’s values is important, especially if your values differ.
With a new partner’s family, there is a lot of pressure to make a good impression. Going into a family that is not your own means tests will be taken, and the family can be protective. It seems you need to be extra polite, try every favorite dish, play every game and also try to be yourself at the same time. It’s challenging, especially when the relationship is new.
A new partner added during cuffing season might not be the best to bring to these family gatherings. It is uncertain if your new partner truly is lasting or an anecdote for loneliness during the romantic holidays. Instead of worrying about how your partner will react to your family and vice versa, avoid bringing new relationships to family holiday functions.
When I brought a partner into my celebrations, it was more relaxed. I felt the pressure, though, of going to a partner’s house for the holidays; it was unbalanced. I had to be perfect and love even the worst of food, but my partner just got to have fun. For someone new in your life, it may be too much pressure to ask them to integrate into your family gatherings for the night.
Even after introducing yourself, you have to make your own judgments. Try to see if you can see yourself in your partner’s family. Pay attention to how your partner acts around family, or ask them if this is an uncomfortable time for them. The rewarding part is opening up and seeing what your partner is like in their hometown. You can enjoy traditions with them that they may have always dreamed of you being a part of.
Traditions can be delicate, and introducing your partner to them is a big deal. Wanting to involve someone is not a bad thing, but the wrong person can discourage you from introducing the right person. If you bring your new partner to Thanksgiving, make sure they fit into your family and traditions.
Bringing your partner home for Thanksgiving can reveal a great deal about the relationship and how family plays into it. This year, if your partner is new, I’d avoid the trouble. But, oh well, I don’t have to bring anyone to Thanksgiving this year.
Cassidy McClurg is a freshman student studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassidy about their column? Email cm303824@ohio.edu
