Season for Snuggling
As the cold crispness of winter looms over many, the desire to stay warm, cozy, and around the ones you love is stronger than ever. There's something romantic about it all, from the bright lights in the trees to the oversized coats. To make the most of this holiday season, here are 20 dates you really can only take in winter.
1. Ice Skating
There’s nothing as seasonal as hitting up the ice rink come winter. Many cities take the time to put up an outdoor rink, but indoor rinks are always an option too. There will be rentals on hand so you won’t have to break the bank to get on the ice. Even if you’re not a seasoned skater, it can be quite romantic to lean on your partner while you learn.
2. Christmas Markets
Christmas markets perfectly capture the magic of the holidays. From vendors offering tasty treats to antique ornaments to basic everyday needs like soap, there’s plenty to look at and buy. Just be sure to bundle up for the weather as you’ll probably be out there for a while.
3. Gingerbread Houses
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy building gingerbread houses. In fact, as an adult, the competition is stiffer than ever, as you can easily turn a house into a mansion, a mall, or even the Eiffel Tower. Think of it as Legos you can eat.
4. Games & Hot Cocoa
You can take board game night up a notch by throwing in some much-needed hot cocoa. This tasty drink makes everything a little more magical, and there are so many different kinds to try. Of course, you can buy whatever flavor you want from the store or try your hand at making your own mixture.
5. Go Sledding
This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the parks that are often taken for granted. All you need is snow and a hill. Your partner and you can take turns dragging the sled up the hill before bounding down together. It’ll be sure to get the heart pumping and will leave you feeling like a kid all over again.
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6. Decorate the Tree
The Christmas tree is an integral part of the holidays, and sometimes it can feel like a chore. But if you make a day of it and pick out some meaningful ornaments, put on some festive music, and sip cocoa during the decorating, it’ll feel like a breeze.
7. Skiing
If you’ve never skied before, most locations offer bunny hills and lessons to get you started. But even if you are an avid skier, there are many other reasons to visit a skiing village. Not only does the alpine look perfectly suit the season, but there’s plenty of festive things to buy and eat too.
8. Polar Bear Plunge
For the most adventurous people out there, a polar bear plunge is something you should certainly do once in your life. It involves getting into a swimsuit in the middle of winter and taking a dip in a lake or a swimming pool. You only have to be out there for a few seconds before you can run back to the safety of a towel.
9. Snowman Building
Most people have fond memories of building snowmen during recess at school, but you can keep up this tradition as an adult. If you have a backyard, you can rest assured your snowman will be safe from harm. But even if you decide to build him in a park, be sure to take pictures and accept that he probably won’t be around for long.
10. See the Lights
Many cities and towns take the time to put up plenty of lights all over the area. Even the malls bust out the big decorations and giant trees for the holiday season. This means there’s plenty of reason to get out of the house and take a stroll together.
11. Cabin Weekend
If it’s in the budget, escaping to a cabin in the woods is a great way to get up close and personal with the season. From the crisp untouched snow to the outdoorsy activities, there are plenty of benefits to slipping away. Just be sure to get one with a toasty fireplace and chimney.
12. Snowboarding
If skiing wasn’t difficult enough for you, then most agree that snowboarding is harder. Still, this is a great hobby to get into as it’ll take you up to the most scenic peaks this Christmas season. In fact, your partner and you can take lessons together.
13. Christmas Pedicures
Some people dismiss pedicures as only for women, but that’s just not true. Not only are male pedicures offered, but men need to take care of their feet too. Either way, couples’ pedicures will allow you to combat the dry weather while throwing in a fun peppermint scrub or snowflake-themed nail polish as a seasonal touch.
14. Winter Hike
If skiing and snowboarding are a bit too much for you, you can still get outside and scale the slopes through a hike. Be sure to pack plenty of snacks, including hot cocoa in a thermos and some candy cane-infused trail mix.
15. Holiday Shopping
Everyone needs to do a little shopping during the holiday season. From friends to parents to your partner, there are plenty of people on that list. For the former recipients, you can easily take your partner with you and try to have a little fun.
16. Try Caroling
For most, caroling is probably the most intimidating thing on this list. But if you can find a good group, it’s easy enough to blend in and have a little fun no matter how your voice sounds. If that doesn’t sound too appealing though, you could always hit up karaoke with a few other couples.
17. Hit the Cinema
It’s no secret that the cinema always plays Christmas-themed movies this time of year. Usually, you’ll have a few options to pick from. This is a great way to enjoy the season without having to go outside in the freezing weather.
18. Make S'mores
You can easily make s’mores at a backyard campfire or even do them at home in the microwave or oven. There’s something so warm and cozy about toasty marshmallows and melted chocolate that leave everyone feeling fairly jolly.
19. See the Gardens
If your town has a botanical garden, then you know they go through quite the transformation come winter. This is a great way to see how nature changes and adapts, and there will likely be lights and decorations to make the experience all the more magical.
20. Have a Snowball Fight
You’re never too young to participate in a good old-fashioned snowball fight. Just make sure your partner is appropriately dressed before you ambush them with a surprise snowball. If all goes well, they’ll return the gesture and you’ll have to figure out how to keep score.
