Even though the holiday season is here and things get busy, that doesn’t mean you and your spouse, or the person you’re dating, need to skip date night. Staying connected is especially important during this time.
Now that the warm days of summer are over and the weather is turning cold and snow is just around the corner, you might be thinking about holiday date night ideas.
This list will help you choose some of the best and affordable options for your date night.
1. Watch your favorite holiday movie
Holiday movies are one of the best things about the holiday season. Hallmark, Great American Family, and Lifetime all air a ton of Christmas movies this time of year. Of course, watching your favorite classics like “Holiday Inn,” “White Christmas,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “The Santa Clause” are also great options.
Another fun way to enjoy holiday movies is to go see them on the big screen. Check your local movie theaters (chains and independents) to see if they’re showing Christmas movies on the big screen. Most of the time, classic works are on display.
2. Go out for gourmet hot cocoa or coffee.
Nothing beats the cold like gourmet coffee or hot chocolate. This time of year, you’ll find all kinds of amazing flavors, including white chocolate, peppermint, snickerdoodle, gingerbread, peppermint mocha, and eggnog. Instead of going to a chain store, try finding an independent coffee shop in your city. They’ll appreciate your business and you might just find your new favorite coffee house.
I love going to independent coffee shops. There’s a place down the street that makes the best French toast latte ever.
3. Get your holiday dessert
Head out to a restaurant for a special holiday dessert. The menu features some decadent treats that I wouldn’t normally make at home. It might be a good idea to find a restaurant in your city that only serves desserts and check it out.
Another idea is to go to your favorite donut shop or your favorite ice cream parlor for a tasty treat. Or try dessert fondue at a fondue restaurant.
4. Bake cookies together
Baking is also part of the holiday, so why not try it out with us? Decide on the recipe you want to make in advance and gather all the ingredients. Play some Christmas music to warm your heart. When you’re done, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a cup of coffee or milk.
(When collecting recipes, think about who you will share the treats with in case someone has an allergy. That way you can modify the recipe if necessary.)
5. Trim the tree
This may count as a two-night date. One night you’ll prune a tree together, and the next night you’ll help your boyfriend or girlfriend prune their tree.
As you decorate, talk about traditions and decorations for the tree. Some people have ornaments that are passed down through generations, others have special meaning, and others are purchased just for fun. My husband loves sloths, so a few years ago we bought him a sloth figurine just for fun.
6. Cuddle up on the couch
Get away from the hustle and bustle and spend some relaxing time with each other. Curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket and have a long conversation, take a nap, watch a movie, or binge-watch a few episodes of your favorite TV series.
7. Sample cider or eggnog
This is a great way to spend a date night. Check out the recipes and make a few different types of cider or eggnog. You can find all kinds of flavors, and don’t forget about add-ons like whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, and sprinkles. If you’re going on a date night with your girlfriend or boyfriend, be sure to bring a thermos or two so you can take home some of the gourmet goodness you can drink while having breakfast the next morning.
8. Wrap presents together
Wrapping Christmas presents is a long, tedious, and tedious task, so why not have a wrapping date in the evening? Collect all the gifts and make them beautiful for each other to present to the recipients. If you have an unusually shaped gift, brainstorm the best way to wrap it. Please be careful not to bring gifts that you bought for each other! Make sure you have all the supplies before you start so you don’t run out of paper, tissues, or everyone’s favorite sellotape. Consider adding boxes or bags of different sizes to make wrapping easier.
9. Surprise people with merchandise
If you have an evening baking date, schedule another date within the same week to surprise your neighbors with treats. Bundle up cutely and head out to make someone’s night.
Another option if you have too many goodies is to make a package for your mailman, your favorite barista at your coffee shop, your favorite bank teller, the clerk at your diner, the cashier at your favorite grocery store, the UPS or FedEx driver who delivers your package, your child’s teacher, your veterinarian, etc. Think about all the people you meet on a regular basis who make your life easier. Your generosity will make them happy and excited to have the treat.
10. Drive around and look at the lights.
I love driving my car on my days off and looking at the street lights in my neighborhood. No matter how big or small, every display is fun to look at. People are very creative and put on great exhibits. This would be a great date night idea.
When I was growing up in Pennsylvania, Dubois Town had two streets called Spring and Summer Streets that ran side by side. Every year, families along each street decorated their homes and gardens for Christmas, which you could see as you drove down the street. My parents took me there every year. It’s still going on after all these years and I think that’s great. My best friend takes her dog to see the illuminations every year.
Consider taking a few dates during the season to explore the surrounding city lights. In some towns, the squares are decorated with Christmas tree lights. You can go see your town’s trees lit up, then drive around and check out the new neighborhood lights. This brings a sense of adventure when exploring new places.
Winter dates can be just as fun and exciting as any other time of year, despite the snow and sub-zero temperatures. There are all kinds of activities you can do indoors, including tree felling, cookie baking, game nights, karaoke nights, and movie and TV marathons. Date night may also include outdoor activities, such as a walk in the snow, ice skating, or a walk around the neighborhood or drive to see the lights.
Plan what to do on your date this winter and enjoy some fun together.
Photo courtesy: ©DGLimages
Carrie Laurence is a freelance writer and author. Her work has been featured in Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and The Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three pretty romance books, one romance novel, three poetry collections, and one nonfiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and cute cat, Cupcake. For more information about Carrie and her writing, please visit www.carrielowrance.com.
