15 Super Fun and Festive Double Date Ideas for the Holidays
Why double dates are good for your relationship
Although you and your partner can have a blast on date nights, there is an added dimension of excitement, spontaneity and fun when you partner up with another couple for a double-date.
Studies on double dates have found there is actually an increase in passionate love between you and your partner by going on double dates, and you add significant benefits to your relationship if you share the experience with others . Since passionate love is one area of a relationship most likely to decrease over time between couples, it makes sense to reignite those feelings by expanding your social network and sharing your interests with other couples as a way to become more fond of your partner.
Double dates also remove the pressure of being one another’s social support, and you’re bound to come away from the double date with new conversation and memories (and maybe a wee bit of gossip).
Who should I go on a double date with?
Spending your precious date with another couple seems like an easy pick – just choose your BF and her new boyfriend, or the couple in your friend group that loves to stay out late and party it up, they’ll be fun right?
Choosing who you’re going to spend the evening or day with might be more challenging than you think.
Here is a list of things to consider when choosing who to go on a double date with:
Couples who are positive and have “good vibes”. You want to come away from the date feeling happy and good about the event, not contend with awkwardness, snippy remarks, or feeling like you’re on the verge of a fight. That is not fun. So perhaps don’t choose the friends you know like to argue or are on the verge of divorce.
Couples that compliment your personalities. For example, being super chill and up for anything is great but not if everyone has the same “hope it works out” attitude. If that’s the case, you may end up sitting around at someone’s place waiting for the fun to start. This is okay for a visit, but dates should mean you break away from the dining room table and share a new experience (unless of course you’re setting up for a boardgame showdown).
Couples who are overly affectionate. The holidays are magical and everyone feels more romantic this time of year, plus it’s dark earlier and the cold weather makes you feel cuddlier so a few more squeezes, hugs, and kisses are expected. However, if you’ve paired up with a double date couple who are all over one another with their friskiness, it’s likely to be an uncomfortable experience.
Couples who only want to party. Getting your eggnog fix is totally par for the course at Christmas. I mean it’s delicious. It’s just not that awesome if you or the couple you’re with are more preoccupied with holiday shots and drinking the bar dry than they are with having a mutually fun time as friends (or relatives) on a date at Christmas. Go easy on the alcohol consumption and don’t choose friends who just want to get sloshed.
Couples on a soapbox. This may be hard to know in advance, especially if you haven’t spent a lot of time around the other couple, but ones who look for opportunities to have their opinions heard on every single subject and social issue take all the joy out of the event. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you just don’t want to hear theirs the whole evening.
Couples who aren’t your friends but your family. Going on a double-date with family can be awesome since you already have that familiarity, share past experiences, and have lived through any family drama that’s come up over the years; and at least one of you shares DNA so there will be similar personality traits in play. Don’t discredit the fun double dates you can have with family members of all ages and relationship stages.
Couples who are older or younger than you can be much more enjoyable than expected. Just because you’re not all from the same generation doesn’t mean you can’t take in the cool things that the holidays offer, like sleigh rides, concerts, festivals, markets, or sporting events. Spending time with your younger cousin and their new beau or your parents and even grandparents can add a whole new dimension to a date. You’ll likely gain a few nuggets of wisdom, or see your own relationship and partner in new ways.
15 Christmassy Double-Date Ideas
Here is a list of Christmas double dates to try this holiday season. Merry Happy Holidays!
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Fun Games for Couples
Having another couple over for Christmas themed game night can become a new holiday tradition. If you’ve ever come across one of those pop up game stores in the mall during the holidays, you’ll see just what an extensive collection of cool and unique games are available. These games range from guessing games, trivia, strategy and dare I say obscene? Depending on the couple, it might be best to have a few options since everyone isn’t as keen to draw pictures or rattle off facts. So whip up the peppermint drizzled popcorn and festive cocktails, and prepare for lots of laughs.
6 Games that are really fun for Christmas
Christmas Heads-Up
The Heads Up! game is very popular, and always a laugh as people try to guess which Christmas character they have written on a sticky or card on their head. Choose people that are popular enough that everyone has a fair chance of guessing.
Loaded Questions Friends Version
A little less revealing than the Loaded Questions Adult version of the game, the Loaded Questions Friend’s version prompts players to answer questions like “What have you surprisingly never tried?” or “If you could be ‘the best’ at something, what would you choose?”. The favorite answer is chosen and players try to guess who answered what. You don’t even have to use the board, these could also be used as question prompts. This is a new game we added to our collection last year and had so much fun playing with our group of friends, we’ll be bringing it out again this year.
Game Mashups Monopoly Jenga Game
Want a game night with some variety? This is Monopoly meets Jenga, where the wooden blocks are Monopoly properties, railroads, and cards. The goal is to collect as many properties and property sets without making the tower fall and it’s awesome! A great game of strategy and luck. And who doesn’t already know the concept of Jenga or Monopoly? So no need to decipher a bunch of rules. My cousin and her boyfriend, who are still teens, had us beat like they were pros. Maybe because they’re still young and have steadier hands.
The Game of Things
A game for 4 or more players, The Game of Things, prompts players to secretly answer questions and then the other players have to figure out who said what. Questions like “Things… you wouldn’t do it for a million dollars” or “Things…you shouldn’t do when you’re naked”. You’ll definitely get an insight into the minds of your friends and partner and more than a few laughs. You can find this game in either the original version (tamer questions) or the nasty version.
Holiday Charades or Pictionary
Depending on who is playing, a rousing game of theatrics like charades with all things Christmas is a great choice. If you have more creatives in the group, or people feel especially uncomfortable acting in front of others, then pictionary ,or in this case Drawing Without Dignity is where it’s at. Pick holiday movies titles, songs, objects, or famous characters and events and turn them into a night of fun. Great games to play with family or friends.
Quickwits
This is an easy game to play because it moves fast and requires quick thinking (only 20-30 minute rounds). Flip cards over until one of them matches the another, at which point the players have to shout out an example of someone or something in that category (like “bald actors” or “types of cardio”). Quickwits is a great adult game and super easy to learn. I’ve already bought a few as Christmas gifts!
Bonus: First & Last – The Party Game for Competitive People to Stay Hydrated
We played this game at a friend’s Christmas party and it was a blast. The concept is for everyone to do what the card pulled says to do while an appointed judge determines who was first and who was last to complete the task. Those players then give out a drink and those who were last take a drink. You can play anywhere from 3 to 20 players so it’s a great Christmas house party game as well.
Water Park/ Amusement Park
Lucky enough to have a water park or amusement park near you? Be sure to invite some friends, rent a cabana and hit the deck or rides. Christmas events are in full swing so you’re bound to find an excuse to wear something cute, eat churros, and act like kids for the day.
Brewery Tasting
Going to a brewery for a scheduled tasting or even hitting up a local craft brewery to sample their creations is sure to be entertaining. You may even find a new favorite brew and pick up a few growlers to enjoy at your next holiday party.
Cook off Competition – Iron Chef Holiday – Or a bake off
Restaurants can be super busy during the holidays and difficult to find a reservation. Instead, host a cooking competition of sorts where each or you or each couple makes a dish that is rated by everyone as the best of the season. You could also set it up so everyone is responsible for sharing their favorite dish, which makes hosting a breeze. Have fun with the types of dishes and make it an annual or recurring event if it’s really successful. Everyone loves eating, especially during the holidays!
Try Snowshoeing
How many times have you gone snowshoeing? Chances are not a lot, and neither have your friends, which makes this a perfect experience to try as couples. It’s relatively easy to start, you can rent snowshoes, and you have friends to laugh with as you trip over yourself learning to walk using large paddles. It may just become your new winter hobby.
Experience the Holiday Magic of the Symphony or Ballet
Christmas has the most beautiful music and productions, it’s truly magical. Invite another couple to join you at a concert with all the familiar hits or a popular ballet like the Nutcracker. Getting dressed up, having a glass of champagne prior to the performance and being entertained through music and dance is a lovely and sophisticated double date. You don’t have to do a lot of talking and when it’s done you could cap off the night with a late night dessert or drink at a nearby restaurant or pub.
An Afternoon of High Tea
Tiny sandwiches, beautiful desserts, and a cup of the Queen’s favourite, Twinings Earl Grey with a splash of milk and no sugar. What a way to spend the afternoon, and a wonderful excuse to wear that red cashmere sweater you have. High tea isn’t just having a cup of tea. It comes from the British tradition of drinking tea in high-backed chairs while enjoying a cold lunch of meats, vegetables, salads, pies, tarts, biscuits, and those cute cucumber sandwiches cut into triangles you see in movies. It’s fancy and festive and perfect for an afternoon double date.
Take in a Sporting Event
Basketball, football, hockey, soccer, bobsledding. Find a sport to attend with another couple who enjoy a bit of competition, rough housing and a few beers. During the holidays, sporting events have lots of fun prizes, fan events, and energy to make it festive and fun for everyone. Feel free to dress up in crazy hats or sweaters and enjoy a night yelling at people other than your spouse!
Enjoy the Lights or Festival of Trees
Wandering through a light maze, or neighborhood, or festival of trees is a popular Christmas tradition for many couples, so why not join some friends and see the decor together. You can get a little walking in, a little talking, and be dazzled by all the Griswold’s out there who really embrace the idea of decor!
Lace Up Your Skates
Enjoy an afternoon on ice. Meet up with another couple to spin around the ol’ neighborhood pond. Skating is just like riding a bike, don’t feel bad about wearing a helmet either (safety first!), so lace up a pair of skates and have fun embracing this winter sport. Afterwards you can look forward to a hot chocolate or mulled wine. If you’re really lucky, there will be a Christmas tree lighting downtown you can attend and everyone can sing carols around the tree (sounds lame, but trust me it’s one of all time favorite memories!). And this double date ended with the couple eventually getting married. Never underestimate the magic of the season.
Play a Game of Badminton
Try something new and take your double date to the badminton court for a game of doubles. Badminton is a fun sport that doesn’t require a tone of agility or physical fitness (yikes don’t come at me die hard badminton players). It’s still competitive, but not in the same way tennis can be or basketball, especially when playing with the opposite sex. At least in badminton you have to stay in your section of the court, with the main goal of getting a birdie across a net.
Laugh it Up at a Comedy Club
Laughter is contagious, but humor isn’t. This doesn’t mean you should avoid checking out the local comedy scene with another couple. Unless they’re real scrooges, you’re bound to find at least a few sets that have you in stitches. If you aren’t really close with the couple you’re on the date with, then a comedy show is a perfect way to enjoy an event together without the social pressure. Then the next time you get together you can chat about that one time you hit up a comedy club.
Laser Tag
Who doesn’t love an all out game of laser tag? It’s super fun, strategic, with a healthy amount of competition and a really good workout.
Fondue Night
Stay home and create the ultimate fondue evening with cheese and chocolate and all the good stuff. Fondues are the kind of meal that lingers, one that comes in waves and flows with the conversation, it’s meant to be savored. Hosting a fondue is relatively simple and easy because you don’t have to cook anything, and the other couple can be in charge of bringing the drinks. Have one of those Table Topics conversation starters on the table to get everyone chatting and start melting.
Final Thoughts
Double dates get you and your partner out of the predictability rut. New conversation, trying different things, and doing something with another couple gives your own relationship a boost and a feeling of newness that can become lacking over time.
Spending a day cross country skiing, seeing the lights, having a bonfire outside, going to a hockey game with other couples could all be double date ideas that are fun this holiday season.
Have fun!
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