I’m so excited to share a special surprise “gift” I’ve crafted for my husband this year! But before I get into all the details, let me take a moment to brag about him—because he’s truly earned it. On November 3rd, Nathan completed the New York Marathon, his very first World Major Marathon, and he absolutely crushed it. He crossed the finish line in 4 hours, 30 minutes, and 17 seconds—his second-best marathon time! I’m beyond impressed and so proud of his dedication and accomplishment.

Now, let’s talk about the gift. Last year, I watched the Hallmark movie 12 Dates of Christmas. It was cute and festive—a perfect holiday flick—and it sparked an idea: why not create my own “12 Dates of Christmas” experience? So, I set out to design 12 unique dates for us, each inspired by one of the “12 Days of Christmas.”

To make it special, I bought the Lenox 12 Days of Christmas ornament set and wrapped each ornament in a small jewelry box alongside a clue hinting at each date. I used ChatGPT for a little help in crafting the clues—adding an extra layer of mystery and fun! Each date, I’ll present Nathan with a box containing the ornament and a rhyme, leaving him to guess what kind of adventure awaits us.

Since December always brings a whirlwind of holiday events, I started early in November. This way, we can average about two dates per week without cramming everything into the last hectic weeks of December. Nathan has no idea when these dates will pop up, what order they’ll come in, or what each date will involve.

Our first date kicked off with a clue about the overall “game”:

On the first day of Christmas, My true love gave to me, a date to 12 Drummers Drumming? Yes, that’s right, The order may stray, But enjoy these dates, As we count down the holiday!

For our “12 Drummers Drumming” date, I took him to see a Rolling Stones cover band and enjoy dinner at Bar Tulia in Naples. The clue read:

Twelve drummers drumming, a rhythm so fine, Where live tunes echo and spirits entwine. A Mercato Shops, where the music’s in demand, Find the lively spot with classics from a legendary band!

Then, just this past Sunday, we had our second date, themed around “Two Turtle Doves.” We savored lattes and chocolate turtles at Norman Love—perfect for a cozy Sunday afternoon.

If you’re curious to see how the rest of the dates unfold, follow along on Facebook, where I’ll be sharing each one. It’s a festive journey I’m so thrilled to take with Nathan, counting down the days and celebrating love along the way!