HOLIDAY SPIRIT Things to do

They may be your Christmas custom, but those reindeer pajamas probably aren’t doing much for your love life. Traditional holiday clothing — and, while we’re at it, food, decorations and gifts — clearly were not designed with romance in mind.

But it’s possible to get in the spirit with style:

Deck the halls. Your parents’ house may be holiday central, but a few aptly chosen decorations will help your guy associate you with holiday cheer. Put a small Christmas tree in the window, drape a pine-scented garland around your curtain rod, light candles and spice up your furniture with new throw pillows. Instead of a floral centerpiece, opt for a vase of longer-lasting cranberries, apples, tangerines and walnuts.

Stick with comfort food. Goat cheese phyllo triangles and rack of lamb are fancy but unnecessary. Most men are satisfied with stick-to-the-ribs classics like roast chicken and baked macaroni and cheese. For an inexpensive, playful dessert, bake monkey bread — cinnamon and sugar biscuits that you pull apart. And guys go crazy for warm peach cobble.

Stretch the alcohol. White sangria is festive and helps a little wine go a long way.

Add music. The playlist has to be on point. The music sets the tone for the evening.

Get fashion and function. Find a cute scarf, and pair legwarmers with a pair of sexy heels. Knit hats are in, so buy — or better yet, make — one for you and your sweetie.

Send love across the miles. If you and your honey are apart, mail him a gift every day for the 12 days of Christmas or eight days of Hanukkah.

It’s a wrap. Don’t just wrap a gift. Layer it. To increase the anticipation, wrap your presents in papers as intriguing as the gifts themselves: 10 reasons why I want to be with you, 10 reasons why you should be with me, photos and interesting articles.

Scripps Howard