Sharing 8 holiday date ideas that will get you and your partner in a festive spirit and feeling the love.
The holidays are hands-down my favorite time of year – specifically November and December. Even if you’re not religious, I feel like everyone can find some way to appreciate the joy, coziness, and magic this season radiates.
Not to mention, the holidays are the peak of “cuffing season”! First of all, it’s snuggle weather; people want to cozy up with their significant other! And second, doing all the holiday things with your best friend can make the season even more magical. Plus, there are so many things you can do during the holidays; this time of year truly provides countless date opportunities.
That being said, I’m sharing some unique holiday date ideas beyond baking cookies or having a movie night (although I highly recommend doing those, as well).
Use these date ideas to plan your best holiday season yet!
8 HOLIDAY DATE IDEAS
Make a Holiday-Inspired Charcuterie Board + Cocktails
Charcuterie boards always elevate an event, and in this case, you’ll be elevating your holiday date! There are so many different directions you can go with this; make a classic one with meats, cheeses, and fruits, make a sweet one with candies and baked goods, or simply put your favorite foods on a board! But most importantly, to get you both in the holiday spirit, make sure your board is holiday-inspired; think about shapes, colors, and flavors that are reminiscent of the season. Use red and green fruits like strawberries, apples, and grapes, make/buy Christmas cookies (gingerbread, red and green M&M, Christmas sprinkles, etc.), use Christmas cookie cutters to cut out cheeses, or use Christmas-shaped boards. There are so many possibilities! Scroll through Pinterest to gather inspiration and get creative.
You can also make holiday inspired cocktails to complement your boards. There are tons of recipes out there to suit your tastes. Check out this post to get some inspiration. Sip and snack while watching a holiday movie!
Create Wishlists + Gift Lists Together
In other words, do some online shopping with your partner! Put on some Christmas music or a Christmas movie, get in comfy clothes, prepare some yummy snacks, light some candles, and cozy up on the couch. Go on Pinterest, look up gift guides, and read blog posts to gather inspiration, then scroll through websites to search for everything you want to add to your wishlist! While doing so, you and your partner can go an extra step and make aesthetically pleasing wishlists using your iPad or Canva, or you can even create a slideshow to present to each other.
You both can also do gift research and plan out your gift lists. Figure out who you are giving presents to, write down your budgets and ideas, and scroll the internet to add to your lists. Not only is this a laid-back activity to get you both excited about the holiday season, but you’ll be getting ahead of the gift-giving game! Not to mention, you’ll know exactly what to get your partner!
Related: Holiday Shopping Survival Guide: 11 Smart Tips to Keep You Organized and Stress-Free
Decorate Christmas CAKES!
Move over Christmas cookies! Instead of decorating cookies, a unique holiday date idea is to decorate cakes and live out your Cake Boss dreams. Of course this doesn’t have to be super fancy and you don’t have to be experienced by any means. Make (or buy) your favorite 6-inch cakes and frostings, get any other fun decorations like glitter, sprinkles, fruit, and shaved chocolate, and buy an affordable cake decorating kit. Look up inspiration on TikTok or Pinterest and get creative! And of course, take pictures then devour the cake when you’re finished.
Make Holiday-Inspired Ravioli From Scratch
If you like pasta and you like the holidays, then what better way to celebrate than with making holiday-inspired ravioli?! Make your favorite filling (spinach ricotta, butternut squash, meat and cheese…), follow a pasta dough recipe (pasta machine), then use Christmas-shaped cookie cutters to make your holiday-inspired ravioli. Lastly, finish it off with your favorite pasta sauce! Put on some music, sip on a drink, and enjoy quality time together. This is a super unique, hands-on holiday date idea that is both festive and delicious!
“Categories” Shopping Date
With your partner, decide on a budget and go to your favorite mall or store. Think of a few categories to buy each other gifts in, such as:
- Something to do together (brownie mix, lego set, gingerbread houses, board game, etc.)
- Favorite snack(s)
- For a cozy night in (candle, blanket, socks, etc.)
- On the wishlist (find something that’s been on your partner’s wishlist)
- Something you think they need
Split up and go shopping! And since this is a holiday date, try to find things that relate to the holidays. For instance, find a Christmas-inspired lego set or board game. Or, find holiday-themed snacks and Christmas socks. After you both are done, regroup and reveal!
Go to a Holiday Market
This idea may be obvious, but holiday markets truly get you in the holiday spirit. Even if you can’t make it to Europe for the big, traditional markets, any holiday-inspired market near you will likely do the trick. Spend quality time with your partner and admire the lights, shopping, delicious foods and smells, and cozy vibes. Be sure to research when these markets are taking place in your area. This holiday date idea is a classic, but it is sure to spark the magic this season. You’ll be feeling all the love and holiday feels!
Get Holiday Foods From Restaurants/Supermarket
There are SO many holiday/seasonal foods at restaurants, fast-food chains, and supermarkets. Spend a meal (or the whole day) trying out all these goodies! Get everything from donuts at Krispy Kreme and Blizzards at Dairy Queen to Trader Joe’s goodies, Christmas inspired Oreos, and white chocolate peppermint pretzels. There are so many fun foods, you’ll be able to have this date multiple times this season!
Make Vision Boards for the New Year
The holiday season also means the end of the year. Look into the future with your partner and set goals and hopes for the new year! You can do this physically or digitally; print out pictures, cut words and graphics out from magazines, and embellish with stickers or other crafty things. If you’re going digital, use pictures, text, quotes, etc. to bring your ideas to life. This is a fun holiday date idea to get you and your partner excited to conquer the new year. This activity may even prompt deeper conversations about goals and the future that will bring you both closer together! Put on some Christmas music or a movie to play in the background, whip up some food and snacks, and craft your vision boards together.
FEEL THE LOVE AND FESTIVE VIBES!
Now that you have a solid list of holiday date ideas, start planning with your partner! These are all sure to get you both in a festive spirit and feeling the love. Soak in the magic and enjoy each other’s company.
Ravioli sounds nice!