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This season is perfect for spending quality time with your partner and enjoying some romance in between all of the holiday madness. From cozy winter getaways to nights by the fire, this list has a ton of unique winter date ideas for couples.
#1: Stay in a cozy cabin for the weekend.
There’s nothing better than staying in a cozy cabin- especially in the winter. Here are some tips for finding the best one for you and your boo.
1. Find out what activities you want to do before booking your cabin. If you want to go skiing or snowboarding, then make sure the cabin is close to a mountain with lots of slopes. If you want to go snowmobiling, then look for cabins that are near trails so that you can enjoy your weekend on the trail instead of driving back and forth from town everyday.
2. Check out reviews from other guests who have stayed at the cabin before you book it. If there are no reviews or if they are only 1-star reviews, then it might not be worth your money and time. You don’t want to arrive at your cabin only to find out that it was dirty or that there weren’t any amenities available like WiFi, etc.
Pro Tip: Pack plenty of warm clothing, especially if you’re going in the wintertime! The colder it gets outside, the more layers you’ll want to wear.
#2: Decorate festive cookies.
It’s hard to go wrong with cookies. Not only are they delicious, they’re also fairly easy to make and even easier to decorate.
If you’ve never tried making them before, this is a great time of year to give it a shot!
A classic Christmas cookie recipe is gingerbread men, but there are tons of other options out there that are just as festive—and maybe even more delicious. Here are some suggestions:
- Gingerbread Stars – These cute little guys can be decorated with frosting or sprinkles for a traditional Christmas look. Just roll out some dough into strips and cut out star shapes using a star-shaped cookie cutter. Bake them at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on top then frost with white icing when cooled off completely before serving!
- Santa Cookies – Use any black frosting and draw eyes on these sweet treats as well as buttons on their red coats. Then, add some jolly rosy cheeks with powdered sugar.
There are lots of recipes on Pinterest and Tiktok, too!
#3: Have a snowball fight.
This is a classic winter date idea, but a lot of people worry about how cold it will be outside. If you’re not prepared to get wet, then maybe this isn’t for you. But if you’re game to roll around in the snow with your loved one and have some fun in the process, then go for it!
Just make sure that both of you are wearing warm clothes and have a safe place to play where there aren’t too many cars or pedestrians around. And most importantly: have fun!
#4: Make a snowman.
~ Put a carrot for the nose and make coal buttons and eyes.
~ Make a scarf out of yarn or if you want to get really fancy, try using fabric! (I did this one year with my mom) It was so fun!
You can also use socks or stockings if you don’t have any fabric around.
#5: Read by the fire.
I’m not talking about reading while sitting in front of a television or computer screen.
Grab a drink, sit on the couch with your partner and read out loud to them. It can be anything from poetry to science fiction, but just enjoy spending time together with your eyes focused on something that isn’t an electronic device!
#6: Watch the sunset together at the beach.
Summer is gone, but you can still enjoy the beach. It’s an opportunity to spend some quality time with your love and appreciate the beautiful sky above you.
You can take a blanket and some snacks, find the perfect spot to sit on top of, and just enjoy this moment together.
#7: Make a gingerbread house.
It’s fun, easy and totally romantic.
Not only will it bring you closer together, but it will also give him a chance to show off his baking skills.
You can either buy a kit or make your own. Either way, you’re going to want to decorate it with candy and other decorations like icing, gumdrops and chocolate chips.
#8: Start a couples journal.
This is a great idea for couples who need some extra help communicating their feelings and thoughts.
It’s a fun activity that will help with closeness and help you discover more about each other.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas for you:
Favorite memories together.
Goals for the future.
Favorite things about each other, including personality traits, physical attributes, and quirks.
Fears or worries (such as “I’ve been feeling anxious lately”) that are affecting how you think about yourself (and possibly how others perceive you).
Also note any dreams or hopes for yourself in the future: for example, maybe one day I want to travel around Europe on my own terms.
My boyfriend and I use THIS one. It’s a three year journal we fill out every day. We love seeing each other’s responses at the end of the day! It’s easy because the book already comes with prompts so we don’t have to do much. I’m excited to see how we’ve evolved as a couple over the years!
Questions include:
What was the first thing that made you laugh today?
What do you want to do together on a sunny afternoon?
What song reminds you of your partner?
If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be?
#9: Look at Christmas lights in your town.
Christmas lights are a lot of fun to look at, but they can be even more fun when you’re looking at them with the one you love.
If you have a special someone in your life, why not take them around town and show them all the best light displays?
#10: Kiss each other under the mistletoe.
#11: Watch holiday movies.
This is a great way to spend some time snuggling up on the couch and watching something that will bring back happy memories of previous Christmases. Classic films like It’s A Wonderful Life, Elf or Home Alone are great options!
#12: Make hot chocolate together.
While you’re making hot chocolate, you can get creative and add some of your favorite extras.
Try adding cinnamon to the mix for a spicier version or try adding vanilla extract for a sweeter taste. Top it off with whipped cream and mini marshmallows!
#13: Wear cozy winter sweaters
There’s nothing that says “couples” more than dressing up in matching sweaters. If you don’t have a cute pair of winter sweaters yet, there are plenty of ways to find them:
- Thrift stores are always a great source for affordable clothing (and even sometimes jewelry). You can find some really unique pieces at thrift stores that could just be what you need for your next adventure together!
- You could also make your own! Learning how to knit or crochet can help you come up with creative designs and patterns that show off your personality together.
- If neither of these options appeal to you, try browsing online instead—websites like Etsy offer thousands of options. Amazon offers 2 day shipping with Prime, too!
#14: Go ice skating together.
Whether you go ice skating in a public rink, at a lake, pond, or even at your local mall (if it has an ice rink), it’s sure to be a memorable experience!
After all, who can resist the chance to go gliding across the ice hand-in-hand with someone special?
#15: Wrap Christmas gifts.
Do you have any Christmas gifts to wrap? (If not, go buy some.) Wrap them up with your partner, and then use the string to tie up your love as tightly as possible. That’s how we like our gifts—wrapped in strings and bows.
#16: Listen to Christmas music.
- Listen to Christmas music with your partner, and make a game out of it by guessing the artist or song that’s playing in the background.
- Play Christmas carols around the house when you’re cooking or cleaning, if you have children then this will be a fun activity for them too! If not, just make sure there is some kind of festive mood going on while you’re doing chores!
- If you are shopping online at places like Amazon then play some festive tunes while browsing through items so that your shopping experience feels more magical and enjoyable!
#17: Stay in an ice hotel.
- How much it costs: The price depends on where the hotel is located, but expect to spend at least $300 per night for two people. If you’re traveling with kids or want more privacy, consider splurging for a suite—the extra space may be worth the cost!
- What to expect from the experience: You’ll likely have access to all of the same amenities as in any other hotel (including Wi-Fi) and can do everything except cook inside your room. That means no hot showers or meals cooked on your stovetop unless they provide an electric kettle in their rooms as well. And while staying overnight won’t be very comfortable if it’s too hot outside (think sweatpants), there’s no better place than an ice hotel when winter temperatures drop below freezing point! Some even offer heated sleeping bags if necessary so couples don’t freeze together during their visit 🙂
- How long can we stay?: Most accommodations allow guests up until 11 pm each night before closing up shop for construction purposes; however some require check-out times earlier than others depending on how long it takes them build another structure from scratch again after each season ends–so plan accordingly before booking!
#18: Make your own version of eggnog.
It’s simple to make your own version of eggnog, which you can then serve for your holiday parties. This is a great way to show off your culinary skills and impress guests.
#19: Host an ugly sweater party.
- Invite your friends over to your house and wear a festive, tasteful Christmas-themed sweater that is really ugly. Make sure it’s something you can play games in.
- Play games like “pin the tail on Santa” or “pass the parcel” where everyone has to take turns wearing the ugly sweater for one round of each game.
- Serve up some delicious treats in accordance with whatever theme you’ve chosen! Examples include: gingerbread men cookies dipped in melted chocolate; sugar cookie dough shaped into different holiday shapes (reindeer, snowmen); peppermint bark with candy canes stuck into it; hot cocoa mix with marshmallows floating at its surface.
#20: Visit a tree farm and cut your own tree.
This is the best way to get a Christmas tree that is both local and sustainable.
Make sure you cut down an evergreen, such as pine, spruce or fir (which are all harvested from the same species). Do not go with something like cedar or yew; these aren’t technically evergreens but rather deciduous conifers that lose their needles in winter.
Don’t cut down any trees on private property!
#21: Attend a winter Christmas market.
The winter markets are filled with lights, decorations, and all kinds of vendors selling gifts, food, and more. It’s a great place for you and your sweetheart to shop for gifts.
You can also eat delicious German food while listening to festive music.
#23: Go on a winter hike.
As the weather gets colder, it’s time to take a break from your normal routine and enjoy some time in nature.
While you can find plenty of places to go hiking during the summer, there are fewer options during the winter months.
If you’re new to hiking or haven’t done much winter hiking before:
- Wear layers! It’s important not only for warmth but also for comfort on long walks through uneven terrain. Layers include pants over long underwear; then add a base layer of fleece sweaters. Next, opt for waterproof outerwear. If it’s really cold out there then consider adding another layer between these two pieces–if not, then just make sure they fit snugly so nothing falls out while walking around outside!
#24: Go sledding.
If you’re wondering how you can have fun together without spending too much money, this is one of the best ideas you can use.
Here are some tips for going sledding as a couple:
Go sledding early in the day. If you go too late in the day, there’s a good chance that there won’t be enough snow on the ground. Plus, if you go too late in the day, the sun will be setting and there won’t be enough light for you to see well.
Bring snacks! Make sure to pack something tasty so that you can fuel up after a fun ride down the hillside. Don’t forget to bring drinks too! You want to stay hydrated when you’re outside all day long.
Wear warm clothes! You’ll need some extra layers. Your guy should wear layers too so that he doesn’t freeze during your time together sledding!
Pick out a hill with gentler inclines if possible — this way both of you will have more control over your speed as you go down the hillside.
#25: Put up holiday decorations.
If you’ve been dating for a while, it’s time to get out of the routine and start a new holiday tradition together.
It can be fun to put up the Christmas tree or decorate your apartment with lights and tinsel — but why not make it more interesting by doing it with your boyfriend?
You’ll have fun, get into the spirit of the season and end up with a memory you can look back on fondly.
#26: Catch a hockey game.
Hockey games aren’t just fun things to do together—they can also help you get to know each other better! The best way to get closer? Talking! Go ahead and ask him all sorts of questions about his love affair with hockey; he’ll tell you everything if you ask him nicely enough!
There’s nothing quite like sitting in an arena, watching a fast-paced game on the ice, with hot chocolate and a warm blanket in hand.
#27: Host a Christmas party.
Hosting a Christmas party is a great way to get your boyfriend involved in the holiday planning.
#28: Drink apple cider.
#29: Have a bonfire.
Instead of hiding inside your house, go outside and have a bonfire with your lover. Bring marshmallows, hot chocolate and other snacks to eat while roasting them.
Make memories and fall in love again!
#30: Do a winter photo shoot.
What’s better than pictures of your boyfriend? Pictures of you AND your boyfriend hahaha. A winter photo shoot can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Use your phone to capture all the beautiful moments between you and your boo. Or hire a professional. Totally up to you!
#31: Have a game night.
Tech-free dates are the best dates (especially if your love language is quality time). This is where couples game night comes in. Have fun with some board games or even a deck of cards!
#32: Indulge in a friendly bake off.
Have a little competitive date night with your honey where you each take turns baking a sweet treat! You guys will probably get messy, the pile of dishes will be as big as a mountain. But the memories that will be made that day are to be cherished forever!
#33: Start your new years resolutions.
New years resolutions are a great way to set goals for yourself. Buy a bottle of wine and make a date night out of it with your significant other!
Make a list of things you want to do, places you want to visit and people you want to meet. It really allows you to think about what you’d want your life to look like in the future.
#34: Movie marathon night.
A movie marathon is a perfect way to spend a snowy day. You get to stay inside, eat junk food and watch movies all day long! What more could you ask for?
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try a themed movie marathon night.
#35: Mail a letter to a friend.
#36: Collect pinecones for the house.
#37: Build a blanket fort.
If you want to stay inside but still enjoy the seasonal beauty of winter, try building your own fort.
This activity isn’t just for kids, but for adults too. Take the cushions off the sofa and build a cute, cozy hideout. Bring some blankets, make some snacks and enjoy a movie. It’ll feel like you’re a little kid again!
#38: Go ice fishing.
This is a classic winter activity that’s fun — even if you don’t catch anything.
A big bucket of hot chocolate and some marshmallows are sure to be the perfect way to warm up after an hour or two on the ice.
#39: Make Christmas bark.
Pinterest and Tiktok have so many delicious recipes you can try at home!
#40: Take a photo with Santa.
It seems that every year, more and more people want to take their picture with the big man himself.
#41: Take a painting class together.
It’s not only fun, but educational, too! Your date will learn about color mixing as you both paint together. The instructor will give each person their own canvas. They’ll set them up with everything they need, from paints to brushes and easels. You’ll have a blast creating your masterpieces together!
#42: Send Holiday cards to people you love.
We know what you might be thinking: holiday cards for date night? It sounds like the most awkward thing ever. But we promise that it will actually be really fun.
Holiday cards are easy, inexpensive and fun to create. Plus, they let people know that you’re thinking about them during the holidays — even if you’re not able to see them in person.
#43: Explore another city.
Sometimes, it can be fun to mix things up with a new location.
Get out of town, even if it’s just an hour away. Go hiking or camping, visit a new restaurant or brewery, find a new beach spot and hang out by the ocean, or explore an unfamiliar neighborhood by bike or bus. You can even plan your own scavenger hunt or trivia night! The possibilities are endless!
I love exploring Warwick, NY during the fall/winter season. I even made a whole guide HERE where I talk about the yummiest food spots and interesting locations (where you can get that perfect Instagram shot!)
#44: Get matching holiday pajamas
This couple’s pajama set from Amazon are made with 100% cotton and they’re the coziest set ever!
LINKED HERE: https://amzn.to/3gmaI4Y
#45: Hang Christmas stockings.
You can choose from any number of stockings featuring Santa Claus, snowmen, bells or other festive designs.
Hanging them together on the mantel or over the bed is a simple way to set the scene for an evening of romance and fun.
Here are some ideas for how to use your Christmas stockings for date night:
- Fill their stocking with something sentimental that you’ve collected over the years (such as love notes or photos). This will help remind you of how much you’ve grown together over time.
- Play a game of “what is in my stocking?” and see who can guess correctly first.
- Fill them with treats for late night snacks.
#46: Decorate your room with Christmas decor.
You can use colorful Christmas lights to decorate your room. This will give a festive feel and it will also look beautiful when it is dark outside.
You can hang them on the ceiling or along the wall, depending on where you want to place them in your room. If you want to add some more color, you can also hang garlands made of colorful paper strips or ribbons around the walls.
#47: Attend a fondue party.
Fondue is an iconic Swiss dish that’s perfect for date night. It’s a bit of a commitment, but it’s worth it.
#48: Make charcuterie boards.
Charcuterie boards are a great way to make date night easy. All you need is some good bread, cheese and cured meats, and you’re good to go.
#49: Attend/Host Friendsgiving.
#50: Carriage ride.
Carriage rides are so romantic, aren’t they? You’ll be able to enjoy the sights of the city while staying warm and cozy in each other’s arms. Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
Conclusion
This bucket list for couples is a great way to keep your romance alive and thriving. You can do all of these things together or some on your own. It’s all about making memories that bring both of you closer together. With so many fun and unique activities to choose from, there is no reason not to try some winter date ideas from this list!
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