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Cue the snowflakes and the cheesy holiday romcoms because the season for wearing the tackiest sweaters you can find, blasting “All I Want For Christmas Is You” on repeat, and dressing up as an elf for a lil bit of festive roleplay is officially almost here.
In case you missed it, I’m talking about Christmas, which is quite literally the most wonderful time of the year—especially if you have a significant other. (I mean, hello, you have tons of excuses to kiss your person with all the mistletoes and all.)
But even if you’re not partnered up going into the holidays, this can be a super fun time to get out and about with your dating app matches. Mainly because of all! the! date! ideas!
So in case you’ve forgotten how to celebrate the next couple of months in a way other than Zoom holiday parties, we’ve got you covered. From volunteer options to getaways to very naughty nights in, these 31 date ideas will guarantee you a holly jolly holiday indeed.
1. Two words: ice skating
No, ice skating isn’t the most original winter date, but it’s a classic for a reason. You can do it in basically any town in the country, you get to hold hands while trying to keep your balance on the rink, and afterward, you get to massage each other’s tired ankles while laughing about who had the most epic fall.
2. Go caroling
It doesn’t matter if you’re more of a songbird or a listening bird, the holidays are the time to channel your inner Mariah Carey. Spend some time selecting your favorite holiday tunes and having a practice session, then head out in the neighborhood to spread some Christmas cheer. Hit up the houses with the more elaborate decorations (so you know they’d be down for a spontaneous concert) and wear a mask to avoid spreading any illness around your cul-de-sac.
3. Have a Christmas carol karaoke sing-off
If singing for strangers (or your neighbors, which are probably strangers) isn’t your thing, here’s an alternate solution: Bring the singing home and have a Christmas carol karaoke night. You can find instrumental versions to your favorite Xmas classics anywhere on YouTube, so simply grab your phone or laptop, and get to singing. (Maybe after a few tipsy cocktails too.)
4. Binge some Netflix Christmas flicks
Whether you love Netflix Christmas specials or think they’re the definition of cringe, you have to admit that watching them is pretty addicting. This year, celebrate the holidays by binging all of your favorite classics with your Christmas bae. (And yes, this includes the movie where Vanessa Hudgens plays multiple characters.)
5. Go on a hot cocoa crawl
Get cozy and find a few local patios with heated seating and have a night of hot cocoa tasting. Go from place to place trying hot chocolates and rate each one. You can even tally up your points at the end of the night and decide on a winner.
6. Or have a cocoa party at home
If you don’t want to shell out the cash and fight holiday traffic, consider having a cocoa party at home. It’s cheaper and if you go into a sugar coma you can just pass out on the couch. Try a few different hot cocoa recipes and don’t forget to have a heavy hand when you absolutely spike them all.
7. Go on a Christmas cabin getaway
You don’t have to jet off around the world for a holiday vacay. Whether you’re not comfortable flying yet or just don’t feel like splurging on a ticket, Airbnbs in your state make for a cute wintery escape weekend with your sweetheart.
8. Volunteer at a soup kitchen
No matter what’s going on in the world, there are always people who could use an extra hand. Turn your Christmas date night into a night of caring for others. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or buy meals for those less fortunate.
9. Or head to your local animal shelter.
If you have a few extra days off work or a free weekend this season, consider heading to an animal shelter with your partner to volunteer. There are plenty of dogs who need walking and cats who need cuddling, and who knows? Maybe you’ll fall in love and leave the shelter with a new companion.
10. Host a gingerbread house decorating competition
I mean, is it really Christmas if you don’t bust out your best gingerbread house decorating skills? Get all the ingredients beforehand and make it a decorating competition: Winner gets first dibs on biting into the delicious designs.
11. Have a Christmas card photoshoot
You don’t need to hire a professional photographer to take your Christmas card photos for you (but like, hi, you totally can). What you do need: a tripod and a great imagination. Spend your Christmas taking adorable, goofy, or sexy Christmas pics with your partner. And if you create a masterpiece (which you will, of course), then you have something great to send out to family and friends… or hide away in the bottom of your drawer forever.
12. Look at Christmas lights together
Is there a street in your neighborhood that always has the best Christmas light decorations? A romantic date could be just that: Taking a walk down Christmas lane. Take in all the beautiful Christmas glory with your love on your arms. Too cold? Go for a super slow drive around the neighborhood.
13. Make DIY ornaments
Sure, fancy ornaments that have been in your family for generations can be beautiful. But you know what would look even better on your tree? DIY ornaments that you made with your partner. Pinterest was made for this kind of thing.
14. Splurge at that fancy restaurant
Most restaurants really lean into the season, so treat yourself or your S.O. to a decadent dinner at a luxe establishment. A lil bit of research will help you find the most festive spots, so save up, get dressed to the nines, and go ham on a once-a-year fancy dinner. Protip: Order dessert first so you’re not too full to try the restaurant’s fanciest sweets.
15. Cook a Christmas dinner
The best part about the holidays is the food. And if you’re not down for a fancy Xmas dinner at your favorite restaurant, it’ll be the perfect time to try your hands at making a meal yourselves. Plus, cooking together can be so romantic—regardless of whether you’re both natural-born chefs.
16. Bake Christmas cookies
Forget Santa, you deserve some Christmas cookies. Not only will your place smell like cookies (AKA love) at the end of the night, but, come on, what’s more wholesome and adorable than making Christmas cookies with your person? Nothing! Cue: an adorable flour fight in the kitchen.
17. Go through old toys to donate
Yup, it’s time to purge and get rid of those old toys chilling in your and your person’s closets. Make it a date by choosing which toys and/or clothes to donate to charity foundations. Not only will you learn more about your partner’s childhood from their old stuff, but you’ll help bring some joy to those in need.
18. Put up decorations
Don’t be one of those houses or apartments that look like they’ve never heard of holidays. It’s time to get in the Christmas spirit, people, so pull out some string lights, get together with your sweetie, blast the Bing Crosby, and decorate your places with all the best things you can find.
19. Roleplay a lil Christmas fun
Christmas dates don’t have to be entirely wholesome and adorable. Like any holiday, it’s a great excuse to get creative (and festive) in the bedroom. Try role-playing with your partner using Christmas themes: Santa and one of his reindeer? The Grinch and a person from Whoville? You get the idea.
(Oh, and shameless plug alert: If you want to get real kinky and explore even more role-playing fun, you’ll want to add our Cosmo’s Fantasy Sex Games to your Christmas wishlist. Trust me on this one, my friends.)
20. Go sledding
If you live in an area where there’ll be hills and hills of snow, take advantage of the ambiance. Throw on your warmest winter clothes, grab a sled (or a makeshift one), and get to a snowy slope. Playing around in the snow is the perfect place for a romantic montage—consider it like foreplay.
21. Hit up a ski resort
It’s like sledding’s fancier cousin! Book a trip to a ski resort and hit the slopes with your partner. Even if snowsports aren’t your thing, ski towns are usually A) adorable and B) tend to have a lot of hot tubs that were made for cuddling up, watching the snow fall, and sharing a hot toddy.
22. Get Christmas shopping done
If you’re looking for a more low-key Christmas date, running errands together is always a sweet idea. Give each other gift ideas, walk through stores or browse favorite sites, and maybe even get a better idea of what your partner likes.
23. Look for Christmas trees
If you haven’t found the perfect Christmas tree yet, make it an activity to do with your partner. Head to a nearby Christmas tree farm. Plus, no one can resist the smell of pine on a winter day.
24. Make stockings
Your sorority crafting days are about to come in handy, my friends! While you probably have stockings at your parents’ houses, it’s time you made some for your own places. Grab the glitter and glue and get to crafting. If you want to be cutesy, make stockings for each other instead of for yourselves.
25. Take a Christmas cooking class
The holidays are the time of hosting and buying a pair of jeans in the next size up, so perfect a few recipes before the friends and family end up on your doorstep. Many supermarkets (like Publix) actually offer cooking nights (which usually include alcohol) and Groupon has a ton of options as well. Find a cuisine that you’d like to learn more about and enjoy a night of cute side-by-side cooking and plenty of taste tests.
26. Take a virtual Christmas class
Take advantage of the surge in virtual learning options and take an online class such as festive cocktail mixing, romantic swing dancing, or holiday baking. It turns out you can make a delicious Christmas dinner or cocktails without leaving it too much to chance. And if all else fails, delivery is still a thing.
27. Have a snowball fight
Nothing says “I really like you” like launching a snowball at your sweetheart’s body. That’s just science.
28. Decorate a neighbor’s home
Do you have an older neighbor who may not be able to put lights up outside their house this year? Volunteer to do it for them. You and your partner will be helping someone out, all while bonding over the best way to make the house pop.
29. Make handmade Christmas cards
What better way to spread holiday cheer than to send friends and family hand-written letters? If you’re loving writing sweet sentiments, consider making even more and dropping them off at a local hospital or nursing home to spread additional cheer. Bonus points: Make the date even more romantic by writing letters to each other.
30. Have an ugly sweater fashion show
Christmas is the only time of the year where you want to be wearing an ugly sweater. Take advantage and have an ugly sweater competition with your person. Tell them to find the ugliest sweater ahead of time and then unveil your atrocities together on Christmas day. (Don’t forget to commemorate the ugliness with an Instagram pic.)
31. Have an indoor Christmas picnic
Picnics are pretttty romantic as far as dates go, but considering it’ll probably be freezing outside wherever you are, they’re a little harder to pull off. So this year, opt for one inside: Lay down a Christmas-decorated blanket and have a cute basket of your favorite snacks. The indoors are the new outdoors.
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