It usually isn't until newlyweds have their first argument that they realize marriage isn't for the faint-hearted. After the honeymoon, couples are thrown back into real life. There are bills to pay, a house to clean and dinners to make. Separate jobs and hobbies compete for each spouse's attention, and it becomes hard to find a balance.

Here are seven ways to ensure your marriage lasts:

1. Make it a priority

Whether it's a hobby, skill or talent, people make time for things that matter most to them. Marriage is like practicing the piano; the more time and effort you put into it, the better you'll become and the more confident you'll be. Although the music is hard at times, the sacrifices you make and the mishaps you overcome make it that much more beautiful. Putting time into your marriage every day guarantees great rewards.

2. Keep learning about each other

"When a couple is falling in love, every second and every bit of information about each other is fascinating," says Alisa Ruby Bash, a licensed marriage counselor.

The same needs to be for your marriage. Take the time to learn and grow together by trying new things. Put away the technology and have real conversations. Tell him the best part of your days, and let him tell you everything that concerns him. The conversations you both share throughout the day should be the best part of your day.

3. Keep falling in love

Life has its ups and downs, and it's easy for the wild, romantic feelings to ebb away. Love is a choice and it gets stronger over time, if you're willing to repeatedly make that choice.

Work every day to keep the spark in your relationship such as taking a weekend getaway, sending a flirty text messages and setting aside time to reconnect at night emotionally and physically

4. Don't keep score

"People often evaluate their relationships with a bookkeeping or justice model, and that really says, 'I don't need to do something for my partner unless my partner is doing stuff for me,'" says Dr. Everett Worthington, a professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Strive to serve your partner without expecting anything in return. Create an environment where you give your partner the benefit of the doubt and forgive easily and quickly. Peace will abound in the home and your partner might step it up without you having to remind or reprimand.

5. Leave selfishness at the door

With dishes in the sink, children running around in smelly diapers and work deadlines looming, "spouse time" seems just as impossible as "me" time. It's easier to tone out your spouse and just chill with Netflix, but marriage is about giving 100 percent, not 50/50. Remember to give your whole self to your spouse and to serve him or her to the best of your capability.

6. Look for the good

Anyone who looks for bad is going to find the bad and vice versa. If you constantly look for the good in your spouse, then your love will grow more every day. You will consider yourself the luckiest person alive to have such a wonderful partner.

Also, don't talk bad about your spouse to your friends or family. It's easier for you to forgive and forget regarding things your spouse has done than it is for your loved ones if they only hear the bad.

7. Laugh

"We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh," says Agnes Repplier, an essayist and biographer.

Laughter brings love into a marriage. As the years go by and jobs, financial stress, children, family moves, deaths and other stresses come into play, laughing is a way to reconnect, relieve stress, focus on what matters most and enjoy life.

A simple way to include all of these tips is to incorporate a regular date night into your couple routine. After all, dating is just as important after marriage as it is before.

The post 7 ways to ensure your marriage lasts forever and ever appeared first on FamilyToday.

Here are a few ideas for adorning your home in a holiday fashion that keeps the Christmas spirit around all December:

1. Christmas lights and ribbon

Lights, along with ribbon, give a sense of holiday aura, especially when the other lights in the house are turned off at night. Add lights to the staircase, over the countertops, to glassware or behind sheer tulle. Make it fun and don't hold back.

2. Throw pillows

An easy way to reset your living room is by storing all the throw pillows you use throughout the year and replace them with Christmas throw pillows. Reindeer, snowflakes and ornaments, and even just red-, green- and white-themed colors set the holiday mood.

3. Canvas art

Canvas art seems all the rage right now, and holiday canvas art is no exception. Whether it's the simple message of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" or a picture of a red bird in winter, canvas art is charming and delightful.

4. Pine cones

Even if you don't live close to pine trees, you can pick up some pinecones at the store or online. A little white paint goes a long way in brushing the tips of the cones with freshly fallen "snow." Place them in jars with some lights and ribbon and you have a beautiful table centerpiece.

5. Christmas tree

Christmas doesn't seem quite as magical without a tree loaded with ornaments, popcorn, lights, ribbon and any other way you can think of to decorate. Whatever you do, make it yours. And don't forget the great big, glittering star on top to complete the look (or an angel or ribbon).

6. Wreaths

As with most of the ideas here, the possibilities are endless when making wreaths and decorating your home with them. Hang one on the outside of your front door, and your little bit of holiday cheer will immediately set the tone for what guests will find inside your home.

7. Garlands

Add garland to a fireplace mantle, the staircase, above the doorway or anywhere else you see fit. The bit of green ties in well with the Christmas tree, as well as with all your other holiday décor.

8. Ornaments

Ornaments can be used for more than hanging on your Christmas tree. Place them in large glass containers, weave them in a garland or hang them in your window. Their flashes of color and sparkle will light up any room.

9. Candles

With tea lights, floating candles - scented and unscented - there are many options available when arraying candles in your home. Place them in jars or candle holders and watch them glow and flicker.

10. Stockings

Remember the catchy tune: "You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town!"? Well, it's that time of year again. Get ready for Santa Claus by hanging your stockings over your fireplace. Don't have a fireplace to hang them over? Don't worry, you can hang your stockings anywhere and Santa will still find them.

11. Wall decals

This is a fun, contemporary way to decorate your house in a gorgeous, colorful way. In addition to beautiful decals, there is also the option of obtaining wall play sets. These will captivate your children and get them in the mood for everything the holiday season has to offer. They are removable and reusable, which means your children, can play with these interactive toys every year. They're definitely worth the investment.

12. Chalkboard art

Chalkboard art has progressively become more and more popular. Incorporate it into your celebration décor with chalkboard ornaments, chalkboard Christmas countdowns and chalkboard signs. You can buy chalkboard paint and paint it on mugs, glass jars, wood and so on. Chalkboard art is classy and modern, and allows you a variety of ways to design and create.

The post 12 festive ways to decorate your home this Christmas appeared first on FamilyToday.