Holidate to Remember

Holidate to Remember

When the weather outside is frightful, snuggling with your loved one is more delightful! The holidays are in full effect, and while your social calendar may be filling up with holiday mixers, office celebrations and Ugly Christmas Sweater parties, nothing beats one on one time with your love. Get ready to fa la la la in love all over again because we’ve prepared the perfect holi-date for you and your Santa Baby. 

First things first. Ask your partner what his favorite holiday movies are and add them to your lineup. We all have our favorites from child- and adulthood, so while you’re planning a special movie marathon, make sure your sweetie knows he’s being considered. There are so many genres and subgenres to select from, but we’re sticking to the romance and holiday theme. We’ve listed a few of the ones we can’t live without for inspiration. 

Holiday Romance Movies

  1. Best Man Holiday
  2. The Last Holiday 
  3. The Family Stone 
  4. The Preacher’s Wife
  5. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Holiday Favorites 

  1. Elf
  2. Holiday Affair
  3. This Christmas 
  4. Love Actually 
  5. Home Alone 2

Romance Movies We Love

  1. Love Jones
  2. P. S. I love you 
  3. Poetic Justice 
  4. The Notebook
  5. The Vow

*50 Shades Trilogy

Now let’s talk setting, food and fun. Movie nights usually consist of junk foods, dark rooms and plenty of pillows to go around. But with the magic of love in the air, we recommend adding a little Christmas spirit with decorations and plenty of mistletoe. Keep the room dark and comfy, but make sure your tree is lit or that there are lights hung to give the room a nice glow. Enhance the food table with a tablecloth and scattered candy canes, Forrero Rocher, Hershey’s kisses and seasonal Reese’s cups. You can even make naughty and nice cocktails. This romantic movie night can be as fun or sexy as you want it to be. Every couple is different, so keep an open mind and read-on for more ideas on how to make this holi-date one to remember. 

The New Couple

This pair is in the beginning stages of their romance. With only a few dates under their belt, this evening would be the kickstart to their intimacy. They don’t mind a little romantic ambiance, but they want to have fun and see where the night goes. 

Attire 

Plan to wear your favorite holiday shirt or ugly sweater and have matching Christmas socks you both can wear that night. Keep things fun by adding antlers or a Rudolph nose to your look and be camera ready for a not-so-impromptu photo-op during the slow parts of your movie. 

Food & Drink

Order in! Delivery services are a God-sent during cold winter nights. Spend more time with your date and less time preparing dinner. Decide what you both want, and have it delivered as soon as or before he arrives. If your takeout arrives late, be prepared with a meat or veggie tray and a bottle of wine. You can even make a few sugar cookie Jell-O shots beforehand to settle any nerves you and your new boo may have. 

The Casual Couple

This couple is all about comfort and joy. These two are in a loving, steady relationship but could really use a romantic date to relax and enjoy each other’s company. 

Attire

Wear matching pajamas! Now before you roll your eyes or stop reading because you think it’s a corny (but cute) idea, hear us out. It doesn’t have to be the holiday-pattern pajamas you see couples on social media wearing. While there are some nice, couple-friendly ones available, you can also wear a silk gown or shorts set and get matching boxers or pants set for him. There are tons of choices and all are easy to put on and take off! 

If your romantic pajama movie night gets a little boring, have a few games lined up to play. The whipped cream bubble gum challenge is a little messy but lots of fun; and there’s jingle bell toss (beer pong w/ spiked eggnog) or naughty/nice sensual couples’ games to add a little vava voom to your evening. Whatever you do, keep things fun and go with the flow of your evening. Spending time together is all that matters. 

Food & Drink

Have a smorgasbord of holiday goodies for you and your baby love. Your spread should include but not be limited to holiday Chex Mix, Christmas kiss cookies, popcorn, and your favorite pizzas. To make your stress-free movie night complete, have holly-jolly punch, peppermint cocktails or hot chocolate milkshakes prepared and ready at a moment’s notice. 

The Couple of Love Birds 

This dynamic duo has been in it for the long haul. They’re no strangers to intimacy but have fallen into a comfortable routine that rarely includes date nights. This couple needs a romantic night (or weekend) to reignite their passion for each other. 

Attire 

Surprise and seduce your love with a sexy outfit that will stop him in his tracks. Pair a Santa hat with red, black or white lingerie or grab a naughty Mrs. Clause costume. Either way, you want to make sure he won’t be able to keep his eyes (or hands) off you for long. Have a little something for him too. Santa boxers or peekaboo holiday-themed underwear are perfect options. 

Food & Drink 

Set the mood with frozen grapes, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne! Who says you need to wait until Valentine’s Day? Enjoy these sweet treats throughout the night. 

You lovers should start your movie night with a candlelit dinner. This can be steak and lobster, chicken Parmesan, stir fry or your favorite dish. The meal itself is less important than the ambiance you create. Make a playlist beforehand that includes your favorite slow jams and Christmas love songs—keep it playing through dinner. And for dessert? Well you of course!

During your movie marathon, you may want to give him a massage or have him rub your feet. With you in sexy lingerie and him half naked, you two may not even make it through the first movie without a little lovemaking—that’s one way to get on Santa’s Nice List.

How Important Are Looks In A Relationship?

How Important Are Looks In A Relationship?

As, South Carolina Matchmakers we are constantly reminding our clients on the importance of not judging a person based off looks alone. Although physical attraction can bring two people together it will not keep them together. Have you ever seen a happy couple walking down the street and found yourself wondering, “Why is she with him?” or “What does he see in her?” The thing is, romantic relationships run much deeper than physical appearances. Chemistry is a huge factor, as well as personality and the fact that people are attracted to different aesthetics. Most people who are worth investing your time in are looking far beyond the surface of physical appearance. Jennifer J. Hayes, from South Carolina Matchmakers says “Such requests we make of our clients, as matchmakers, could be difficult at times.  No one will conveniently agree to let someone manage their love life and even go to the extent of arranging dates for them, with potential matches which they have never met.  For such arrangements to work out in this digital dating age, most clients need serious assurance, which is precisely what we provide at South Carolina Matchmakers. Read more here and find out why looks are overrated.

Matchmaker Wisdom: Valentine’s Day Is Not Just For Women

Matchmaker Wisdom: Valentine’s Day Is Not Just For Women

Ever wonder why men hate Valentine’s Day as much as women love it? When it comes to this day of love, women think it’s all about them. Men are supposed to give flowers, jewelry, chocolates, and plan an elaborate date while women are barely expected to give a card. Years of this lopsided display of affection is enough to drive any man crazy. The solution is simple: share the love. Instead of expecting gifts and affirmation, show your man how much you value and appreciate him.

There are dozens of sites that provide Valentine’s Day gift suggestions based on the interests of your guy, but women often spend unnecessary time and money gifting something their man didn’t really want. Take preventative measures by asking your partner what he wants. Treat Valentine’s Day as you would any other holiday and give out of love and not obligation.

February 14 is the day chosen to celebrate love worldwide. This however shouldn’t be the only time of year you make an effort to show your significant other how much you love and appreciate him. With children, work and responsibilities, it’s easy to get caught in the routine of life and take your loved one for granted. Valentine’s Day is meant to remind us of the love we have for one another, and I’m reminding you to take care of your man.

There’s no denying that women should be celebrated and appreciated for all that we do, but the day of love should never be about one person. Love doesn’t work that way, so I encourage you to share the love on Valentine’s Day.

Interracial relationships :  Get Advice from the Best Experts in the Relationship industry.

Interracial relationships : Get Advice from the Best Experts in the Relationship industry.

It’s been 52 years since United States Supreme Court passed Loving v. Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws, that day is remembered annually on Loving Day. Now, partners of different racial backgrounds no longer need to hide their relationships for fear of legal persecution. But while things have changed socially, there’s still a lot missing from the conversation surrounding interracial relationships. The country has a long way to go in terms of racial discourse, period. In the case of interracial dating, there are still huge stereotypes, misconceptions, and presumptions about what it means to date someone with a different race so 80 relationship experts including our very own, Jennifer J. Hayes, relationship & dating practitioner from South Carolina Matchmakers, gives us their knowledge and advice on handling interracial relationships. Read more here.
A South Carolina Matchmakers Love Story

A South Carolina Matchmakers Love Story

Love is always something good and worth celebrating and this month we are celebrating one of our amazing couples!

Cynthia Greene, South Carolina Matchmakers Executive Matchmaker, got the great privilege of attending the couples nuptials. She was over the moon to receive an invite and reflects back on meeting them both prior to their engagement. “Shawne and Doug are a great example of two people who set their intentions clearly and then committed to the matchmaking process. In the very beginning Doug verbally told me, ‘I am looking for a serious relationship, I want to get married.’ He let his matchmaking journey be an adventure with each new match staying focused on the end result.” Shawne’s story wasn’t much different Cynthia explains, “Shawne had a great mentality. She wasn’t narrow-minded about her idea of Mr. Right. She was open to the process of meeting someone her matchmaker felt aligned with her personality, character, and lifestyle. They both remained very open about what they were looking for but both agreed that if the match was the one, the end result would be marriage. Flowers on the first date, meeting the parents, an engagement and the rest is history!

The excited pair planned a wedding weekend with their family, friends, and South Carolina Matchmakers, Cynthia Greene, said it was a day she will never forget. Open hearts and open minds are the holy grail of matchmaking. Of course, fostering those two qualities takes time and mindful effort. But together, the two can promote blissful connections and make our job as matchmakers fruitful and so rewarding.