Annual Marriage Meeting Agenda: A Year-in-Review on the December First Friday
Quick answer: An annual marriage meeting agenda helps you and your partner look back on the year and plan the next one. Use the December First Friday (December 4, 2026) and walk the same nine sections: Open, Follow-Through, Flashback, Family, Fitness, Flame, Finances, Future, and Close. Ask each question about the whole year, then set a few plans for January.
Why do a year-in-review in December
My wife and I go out for breakfast on the first Friday of every month. We haven't missed one in five years. It's about 90 minutes, out of the house, with a printed agenda. It started with a shared stack of pancakes, and friends kept asking for the agenda, so we made it free.
Most months, we look at just that month. December is a good time to zoom out. The year is almost done, the holidays are coming, and January is close enough to plan for. In 2026, the first Friday of December falls on December 4.
You don't need a new format for this. Use the same nine sections in the same order. Just ask each question about the year instead of the month.
How to read this guide: questions in quotes come word for word from our free printable agenda. Questions marked (adapted) are year-sized versions I wrote for this guide. They aren't on the printable.
Before you go: 10 minutes of prep
This is optional, but it helps. The night before, each of you:
Scrolls through your phone photos from the year and picks three favorites.
Looks back through your calendar, month by month.
If you kept your old agendas, bring the action boxes from the year.
You can also give yourselves more time this month. Some couples may want two hours instead of 90 minutes. Keep the order the same either way.
The 9 sections, year-in-review style
1. Open (5 minutes)
"Anything urgent that needs to be said before we start? Note it. Don't solve it here."
What's one specific thing your partner did this year that you noticed and appreciated? (adapted)
What's one thing you're proud of yourself for this year? (adapted)
Same tip as every month: get specific. Say what they did and why it mattered.
2. Follow-Through (5 minutes)
"What did we follow through on that we're proud of?"
"What didn't get done that we committed to? Just name it. Solve it later."
Which commitment from this year made the biggest difference? (adapted)
If you have old action boxes, read a few out loud. It's a quick way to see how much you actually did.
3. Flashback (5 to 10 minutes)
Rate the year 1–10. Write it down privately, then reveal at the same time. Why that number? (adapted)
Hardest moment of the year. Highest moment of the year. (adapted)
Share your three favorite photos from the year and why you picked them. (adapted)
Keep it to remembering. If a hard memory opens up something bigger, put it in the Parking lot.
4. Family (15 minutes)
"Household rhythm: What's working well? Any areas of friction we want to surface?"
"Each kid: New skills? Wins? When were you proud of them?"
What's one family routine we want to keep next year, and one we want to drop? (adapted)
With two boys, 4 and 2, a year of "new skills" is a long list. That's a good problem. Set a soft timer anyway.
5. Fitness (10 minutes)
"Physical: rate it 1–10. What could bump it up 2 spots?"
"Mental / stress: rate it 1–10. What could bump it up 2 spots?"
What's one health habit from this year worth keeping? (adapted)
Each of you answers for yourself. Be honest, and keep it kind.
6. Flame (20 minutes)
"Hold eye contact for 60 seconds. You can do it." Then share the best moment you two had together this year. (adapted ending)
What's one thing I can do to love you better next year? (adapted)
"Plan a date, right here, right now. Even if you don't have the specifics, look at your calendars and write it into existence."
Guard these 20 minutes. Keep the year-end logistics out of it.
Stuck on where to go? The First Friday Playbook (out Dec 4) includes 40 date ideas under $50, plus 30 kick-off questions for when Flame starts slow.
7. Finances (10 minutes)
What did we really enjoy spending money on this year? Why? (adapted)
"What could we have done without?"
What big or unusual expenses do we see coming next year? (adapted)
Start light. If it gets heated, table it and set a separate time. Awareness is the first step.
8. Future (10 minutes)
"Birthdays, appointments, travel, or schedule conflicts to flag." Look at January through March. (adapted)
One direction we want to move in together next year. Think "more time outside" or "calmer mornings." (adapted)
Put next year's First Fridays on both calendars now. (adapted)
A heads-up for 2027: the first Friday in January is New Year's Day. You may want to pick another morning that week.
9. Close (10 minutes)
"Recap: read back the decisions and actions."
"Make one small commitment to each other that's just about the two of you."
To wrap up: "Share 1 thing you appreciate about yourself, your partner, and your family (those are three different things)."
Keep the plan small. Three actions, each with who does what, by when, is plenty. No date means it's not a commitment yet.
In the Playbook, this becomes a printable commit list you fill out at breakfast and post on the wall at home.
Tips for the December meeting
Don't try to plan the whole year. Pick one direction and a few January actions. You'll meet again in a month.
Watch for holiday stress. December is busy. If it all feels heavy, keep this one shorter and lighter.
Use the Parking lot. Big topics like a move, a job change, or a new baby deserve their own time.
Book the sitter early. December mornings fill up.
For the regular monthly version, see our monthly marriage meeting agenda.
Get the free printable agenda
Our free 5-page printable agenda has all nine sections, the real questions, space to write, a who-does-what-by-when box, and a Parking lot page. Print one for December and cross out "month" where you see it. Print it or fill it in on a tablet.
Get the free First Friday Agenda →
The full First Friday Playbook comes out December 4, with three extras: 40 date ideas under $50, 30 kick-off questions for the Flame section, and a printable commit list for your wall.
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FAQ
When should we have an annual marriage meeting?
Any time near the end of the year works. We like the December First Friday because it's already on the calendar. In 2026 that's December 4.
How long should an annual marriage meeting take?
About 90 minutes covers it if you keep the timings. Give yourselves up to two hours if you want more room for the look back.
Do we skip our normal December meeting?
No. Make the December meeting the year-in-review. Same sections, same order, with year-sized questions.
Do we need to set big goals for next year?
No. One shared direction and a few small actions are enough. You'll check in again every month.
What if this year was really hard?
Keep the meeting kind and short. Name the hard parts in Flashback, then give the big ones their own time. If you're struggling, please talk to a licensed counselor.
This is a family planning habit for everyday connection. It's not a substitute for a licensed counselor or medical care. If you're facing serious challenges, please reach out for professional help.