31 Fun Holiday Date Ideas For All Couple Types
‘Tis the season to mingle.
Maybe you’re in a new relationship, a seasoned relationship, or swiping your way into the weekends – either way you’re looking for fun holiday date ideas (that aren’t just dinner and a movie).
Snow falling, cozy weather, anticipation-filled atmosphere of the holidays create a special level of love and romance during these darker months.
Our family loves spending time together during the holidays, but all the family stuff can steal time away from you as a couple, preventing you from bonding, laughing, and creating your own memories of the holidays together.
Taking a few nights, afternoons, or mornings out of your hectic holiday schedule to go on a date is well worth it in the long run, and will help you feel more connected to the whole spirit of the season, and most importantly to one another.
We’ve put together our list of our favorite romantic Christmas holiday date ideas for keeping the season nice (and naughty).
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First date Ideas for New Couples during the holidays
Coffee Shop and Book Morning
Fancy a morning meet up? Who says we should reserve dates for twilight hours? Morning outings can be more enjoyable if you want to switch things up. Places like coffee shops and bookstores can be full of conversation starters if you’re still in the getting-to-know-one-another phase. Pick up a Starbucks holiday coffee from your bucket list and make your way to a nearby bookstore. You will learn so much about a person (even if you’ve been together for years) by the books that interest them, or what inspires them. You may even come away with some gift ideas. Overall, you’re bound to have a few laughs and memorable moments.
Take a picture with Santa
What better way to commemorate your new “coupledom” than to visit the Big Guy and get your photo taken. If all goes well, you’ll have a sweet reminder of your early days to hang alongside the screaming pictures of your kids when they meet Santa.
Brewery Visit and Tasting
Sampling bevvys is a fun way to break the ice, get to know one another, learn a thing or two, and let someone else lead the conversation. Tastings can be for wine, beer, spirits and since it’s a scheduled amount of time, you can always leave once it’s done or linger to see what happens next. Moreso, tastings are a nice twist from awkward dates in a noisy, crowded bar. Not to mention, drink portions are controlled which allows you to ease into the evening, and you may even come away with a new beverage to add to your bar for your next holiday party (which you can invite your date to if all goes well!)
I Spy for Adults
People watching is a cherished pastime for some; I mean look at Parisian cafes, they’re designed for watching the comings and goings of city life. You can experience a lot of joy and inspiration seeing human emotion play out in front of you. As a social species we are keenly aware of the interactions around us for both survival and entertainment so if you’re on a date and you’d like to take in the lights, sounds, and hustle of the season, it can be an entertaining and surprisingly thoughtful way to get to know one another.
Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile. It’s Christmas time in the city.
Sleigh Ride
Perhaps a bit cliche, sleigh rides, if available in your area during the holidays, are a relaxing and romantic way to take in Christmas vibes one afternoon or evening. Plus its a good excuse to snuggle up under warm blankets together.
Make ornaments together
First dates can be awkward. Are you staring? Where should you put your hands? Are they bored? Are you bored? Sometimes having something to focus on is a pleasant distraction if there are lulls in the conversation, so making ornaments is a fun way to be together but focus on a task. When you’re tapping into the creative parts of your brain, it’s easier to come up with conversation topics as well. And at the end of the date, at least you’ll have a pretty ornament to add to you collection.
Holiday date ideas for daytime
Christmas market and lunch
Attending a market during the afternoon is a fun daytime date, especially if you gather the ingredients to make a delicious lunch or bake some goodies afterwards. Markets usually have unique gift ideas as well.
Sledding
Zooming down the hills at full speed isn’t likely something you do very often, but when there’s been fresh snow and you’re looking for adventure and a decent amount of exercise, then sledding is the quintessential childhood activity that offers this and more. Buy a few fast sleds, you know the ones ( crazy carpet ), then find a hill and compete for who will be the champ! If you go in the morning or evening, you can beat the rush of kids and families because seriously those little tikes are fast!
Ice skating
Lace up your skates (lots of places that are set up for the holidays have skates to rent) and twirl around the rink for an hour or two. It’s a fun daytime date that lets you breathe in the fresh winter air, support one another and have a few laughs (mostly at yourself)! Save room for some mulled wine or hot chocolate to round out the afternoon.
Give Back Together
Take the afternoon to shop for a charity of your choice and then wrap the gifts so you can donate them to others in need. Consider downloading Charity Miles, an app that logs your miles moved so you can donate money to a charity of your choice. Or help out a charity by volunteering together and making Christmas hampers or food baskets at your local food bank. Giving back is sexier than you think.
Double date ideas during the winter season
Mix things up by getting into the holiday spirit with friends or another couple. You’re more likely to try new activities or do something you haven’t done in ages, like ice skating, when you’re with other people. Even better, double dates have been proven to refresh your own relationship and make it stronger, and more importantly have a big boost on passionate love in your relationship.
Christmas karaoke
Find a norebang and start belting out those Christmas oldies! What is more in tune with the festive season!
Curling
A sport that looks so effortless, and requires very little athletic ability other than excellent wrist movements. You don’t need to purchase expensive equipment or need a lot of training, just a willing group of friends, a few drinks, and the ability to maintain standing while running on ice. Also the phrase “heavy hard” should come in handy at least once during the match or is it end? Regardless, drinking while curling is encouraged, so even if you suck, it’s still a blast. You’ll be laughing and crying at the end of it.
Ice fishing
You’ll have to do your research before venturing out on a lake, mostly to make sure it’s safe. There are fishing guides or lodges you can visit that host ice fishing excursions, which gives you the reassurance of having a guide and expert to help you get set up. For the outdoor enthusiasts, this is a relaxing way to spend the day together. Just don’t forget the toe warmers!
Hockey Game
Cheers and beers. Enjoy an evening as a couple or with friends cheering on your favourite team. Buy a few 50/50 tickets and you could have your whole season paid for if you’re really lucky. The atmosphere in a hockey rink during the holidays is always fun and festive, no matter who wins.
Backyard bonfire
Make s’mores, have a few glasses of wine, and chat by the fire. Dress warm and enjoy the crisp winter air. If it’s a clear night, you may even get a light show compliments of Aurora Borealis.
Christmas Date Night Ideas for at home
Enjoy a bubble bath or hot tub
Pour some whiskey, throw in a peppermint bath bomb and enjoy a relaxing bath together. It’s hot as hell and can lead to either passing out (don’t) or something you don’t want Santa watching.
Cozy up with a Christmas movie (or non-Christmas “Christmas” movie)
A big part of the holidays is the nostalgia created through cinema. Whether you make it a cozy stay at home night or go to a theater to see something on the big screen, bonding over your favorite Christmas films adds to the anticipation of the season. Try out the Christmas Advent Calendar list of 25 movies to watch for the holidays for ideas on what to watch leading up to Christmas day.
Quiz night
Book a virtual one, or go one-on-one to see who is the champ of drawing, acting, trivia, or strategy. Here are a few games we love to play as a couple.
Workout
Go for a 5k run or holiday hike. Hit up an online workout class or drop in to a spin class, yoga studio, or spot each other doing squats. Nothing sexier than getting in shape together and firing up those endorphins. Finish off the date with a sexy bubble bath and it’s a well rounded evening.
Wine and playlist comparison
You pick the wine, your partner cooks the food. Or you both try a variation on a dish you love and see who takes the prize for chef of the season. A bit of healthy competition in the kitchen and sharing wine over candlelight is romantic and memorable.
Play Christmas music and dance
There is such intimacy in dancing together just the two of you; especially if the only light illuminating the two of you is the moonlight or lights from the tree. A beautiful, simple, and free way to enjoy a night together, while the record spins on your vintage turntable.
There are plenty of free concerts, art shows, or events to attend during the holidays. Check to see if there are any Christmas markets open in your area so you can walk around people watch, and take in the excitement of the season
Date Night Ideas that aren’t boring, aren’t dinner and a movie, and will impress your partner
Give me something more. Here are a few different holiday date ideas that will impress your significant other and that’s not a dinner or movie)
Symphony of the Christmas Classics
There’s nothing lovelier than a night at the symphony enjoying the season’s best sounds. It’s a special and romantic excuse to get dressed up, go for dinner, and take in live performances. Throw on your finest jewels and festive attire and get ready to be swept away by the magic.
Ballet
Similar to the symphony, the ballet is gorgeous to watch and a great reason to slip into some heels and dig out those sparkly earrings and matching clutch. Take in The Nutcracker or Cinderella or The Snowman for a stunning display of costumes, set design, and dance.
Take a Roadtrip
Pile into the ol’ sedan and hit up a town you’ve never visited. Go for a night and stay in a B&B or visit one of their seasonal attractions. Many towns have their own special holiday events and boutiques, corn mazes, or sleigh rides and light shows that you won’t get anywhere else. Plus a change in scenery provides new perspective and time to chat while you get to the destination. Just drive carefully and check the weather before leaving so you don’t get caught in a storm.
Axe Throwing
The ultimate Alpha date night, throwing axes. Assume the stance and let ‘er fly. It’s rugged and sexy as can be, plus who can resist an excuse to wear buffalo plaid?
View the Northern Lights
Walking at night is romantic, peaceful, and can be very romantic. If you live really far north, this will be around 4:30pm, so you could easily meet for dinner and a walk or vice versa for a late night dinner. To make the evening more entertaining, rent or buy snowshoes and find an area away from city lights to see if you’re able to view the northern lights. It’s a magical way to spend the evening listening to the crunch of snow and enjoying the evening’s serenity.
Arcade Night
Hit up an arcade or games place and take turns dominating duck hunter or pinball. Everyone loves a good air hockey game or a chance to work on their 3 pointers.
Final Thoughts
Draw from a hat
Choosing what to do can be a battle, take into account the planning and prep involved with some date ideas, and you end up defaulting to the same old routine, Netflix and chill. Plus, if one partner feels the other always gets to do what they want then coming up with fresh ideas is easier if picked at random.
Both of you should write down 12 things you’d like to do for a date, put them in a hat or jar, and then draw at the end of the last date. By picking an idea at random, with enough time in advance to plan or mentally prepare (ahem axe throwing competition), then you’re likely to have a great experience that is more enjoyable.
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