Bachelor in Paradise bachelorette Danielle Maltby has revealed how she and Michael Allio will be spending the holidays and how they intend to make their time together special.
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After meeting on Bachelor in Paradise's eighth season and falling in love in the real world, Danielle has revealed how she and Michael plan to spend their first holiday together as she prepares to move to Ohio to be closer to him.
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"I am driving up to Akron this weekend for Christmas but also for some job shadows, and then the following weekend we are heading up to the northwoods of Wisconsin to do Christmas with my family," Danielle told BachelorNation.com in a report published on Thursday, December 22.
Danielle said they are going to spend time with both of their families.
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"I can't wait to spend Christmas with Michael and James," Danielle gushed, adding, "I think Michael is most excited to try snowmobiling with my family up north."
And Danielle said she is really looking forward to baking cookies with James.
"Baking has always been something I do with my mom. We make tons of cookies and always end up frustrated with waiting for the spritz cookie dough to get to the right temperature haha," Danielle shared.
"But they always end up delicious. I'm excited to do that with James this weekend. Pick one of my favorite holiday cookies and make those with him."
Danielle, however, said Michael "is a great cook" and so she's going to let him be the chef for their big holiday meal in Ohio.
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"His family always does the Feast of the Seven Fishes Christmas Eve, and he does a lot of the cooking for Christmas, so I'm just ready to eat and help out where I can," Danielle noted.
As for whether the pair will be exchanging gifts, Danielle said, "Michael and I really want to travel together and spend time making actual memories. So we are starting our travel fund, but I got a little something for him. I think he will get a bigger kick out of what I made for James for Christmas than James will, but we'll see!"
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Danielle and Michael will then be celebrating New Year's Eve with Danielle's friends in Chicago, IL.
"Michael and I are so good at just finding each other," Danielle gushed. "At family and friend gatherings, though, we both just kind of do our own thing. It's important to both of us to get one-on-one time with each other's families and get to know them. It's really fun and special."
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On Bachelor in Paradise, Michael was romantically interested in Sierra Jackson, but he ultimately determined something was "missing" between them and he was unable to let his walls down for her following the 2019 death of his wife, Laura Ritter-Allio, from breast cancer.
But when Danielle -- who lost her fiance Nick Haag to a drug overdose in 2011 -- stepped foot on the Paradise beach in Mexico, Michael seemed ecstatic and affectionately called her "Dani." They had spoken via DMs on Instagram and become friends prior to filming the show but claimed they had never met in person.
Michael and Danielle were able to connect quickly over their similar losses and traumas. The pair slowly got to know each other and never expressed interest in dating anyone else on the show.
Michael and Danielle chose to leave Bachelor in Paradise together as a couple before overnight Fantasy Suites. They both determined they weren't ready to get engaged, especially because Danielle had yet to Michael's young son James.
However, Michael revealed on the reunion show that James loves Danielle and never wanted her to leave when she's visiting. Danielle also confirmed she adores the little boy and can't wait to be a bigger part of his life.
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Michael also announced on the November reunion show that he's "in love" with Danielle and she's changed his life for the better. Danielle is only the second woman whom Michael has ever said, "I love you," to.
Danielle shared how she was planning to move to Ohio, where Michael and James live, in order to progress their relationship naturally. However, she noted they aren't going to live under the same roof.
And in early December, Michael said Danielle would be leaving Nashville, TN, and making the move in two or three months.
"Maybe she'll live in Cleveland so James and I will have a little city spot we can go to on the weekends," Michael said in an Instagram Q&A.
"I'm just so excited. Long distance is difficult, but we've made the best of it and this next chapter and upcoming year is one I am so looking forward to. She's the best!"
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