The holiday season is just around the corner. If you’re like me, this fact brings to mind images of beautifully lit Christmas trees with endless to-do lists. Wow! No matter how much you try to downsize or simplify your season each year, there’s inevitably a lot of work to be done. And unfortunately, it’s all too common for couples to feel more pressure from each other than they feel love for each other.
Plan proactively this holiday to keep the spark burning during the cozy season. I’m not talking about the fire in the fireplace. (wink wink)
Here are 20 holiday dates to spend with your spouse.
1. Look at the Christmas illuminations
This tried-and-true holiday activity is a must-try. It can be fun for the whole family, but you can sneak out with your husband to pick up some hot cocoa or apple cider at a local coffee shop, or take a drive through different neighborhoods to check out their sparkling handiwork. There’s something special about . Even better if you live near a walk-through Christmas Lights Trail. Let’s unite, join hands and embrace the magic together.
2. Christmas movie marathon
Sometimes you don’t want to go outside on a winter night, especially when it’s cold. This weekend, snuggle up on the couch with your partner. Share a blanket, eat popcorn, and watch back-to-back holiday movies. Fighting over the remote control is prohibited!
3. Visit a holiday market/tree farm
If you live near a holiday market, outdoor Christmas festival, or tree farm, this is a great way to put on that new scarf you barely touched last winter, go Christmas shopping, and find the perfect tree for your home. It’s the perfect excuse to get started. If you find a kissable mistletoe, your holiday errands might turn into a date. You might have some ideas for what to give each other as Christmas presents.
4. Christmas Treasure Hunt
There’s nothing more important than a little marital competition to keep the spark alive in a marriage. There’s something about doing silly things, racing around the city against the clock, trying to find holiday-related items, and laughing together that brings you closer to your spouse. . You can set it up so your spouse can go on a scavenger hunt while you tag along and take pictures, or you can have someone else set it up and you two can do it together. (Then return the favor to that friend!) Hohoho!
5. Bake Christmas cookies/Build a gingerbread house
Love starts in the kitchen, right? Grab an apron, oven mitts, and a partner and take the plunge and bake some Christmas cookies together. Decorate with icing, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or anything else you like. You can also share it with your neighbors after you’re done, or enjoy it yourself as holiday movie fun to prolong your date. (Food fights are totally allowed!)
6. Indoor Christmas Picnic
Spread out a cozy blanket, order some pizza, or have your spouse cook a homemade meal and eat it on the floor with you. This is the perfect time to turn off the TV, put away your phone, and make that verbal connection you’ve been craving. Finish off with s’mores by the fireplace and enjoy a special night to remember.
7. Christmas art
Whether you’re artistic or not, painting together this holiday season is a fun way to bond with your spouse. Challenge each other and get to work creating a Christmas He scene, whether you visit a local Art He studio or create your own at home using canvas and acrylic paint. It’s up to you to draw a snowman, a winter landscape or a cute reindeer. Plus, post photos of your completed projects on social media and ask your friends to vote for the best project. The loser will be given a kiss.
8. Go sledding/ice skating
If you’re up for a physical winter challenge and your city has options, sledding at Thrill Hill or a date night at the local ice skating rink will get your blood pumping. It’s a great way to make memories together.
9. Christmas lingerie
Buy each other Christmas lingerie and wear it. No further explanation required! (wink)
10. Decorate your home
There’s no better time to get your home ready for the holidays than with presents. Send the kids to grandma’s house, play Christmas music, and start putting up the lights. Bonus points if you decorate while wearing your pajamas!
11.Friendly date night
Lately, there’s been a trend where friends (or spouses!) would buy each other cheap clothes (embarrassingly good!) at thrift stores like Goodwill, then let the other person wear them around town. No excuses! Do a holiday version of this and choose the ugliest Christmas sweater you can find for your spouse and go out to dinner at a nice restaurant as if everything is completely normal. Enjoy inside jokes for days.
12. Christmas Game Night
Pour yourself a glass of wine or sparkling water, sit down at the table with your spouse, and enjoy a heated game night. You can find endless free or inexpensive games online on Etsy, including printable games like holiday bingo, word searches, crossword puzzles, Mad Libs, and more. Create your own Who’s Who? style game with silly Christmas scenarios, or even play Christmas Truth or Dare. It’s sure to keep you laughing for hours.
13. Write a Christmas story
Writing with my spouse is so much fun. Using the always unpredictable “round robin” writing style, you and your spouse take turns writing her line by line, creating a funny Christmas story that you can later share with your children. You’ll love it!
14. Meet Santa
Returning to being a child with your spouse is such a fun bonding experience. Go to your local department store with your camera and take turns telling Santa what you want for Christmas. Take a photo and share the joy online or use it in your Christmas girlfriend card.
15. Dress up in costume
Halloween isn’t the only time to dress up. Find an elf, Santa, or reindeer costume at your local thrift or costume store, then go out to dinner or run errands as if nothing happened. Just reindeer buying groceries… nothing to see here! Photography would be extremely valuable, along with the potential for blackmail. (Hehehe)
16. Shop for charity
Put your shopping skills to good use and come together to fill church-sponsored Christmas shoeboxes, angel tree wishes, and other holiday charity projects. Giving back this Christmas is a great way to relieve the stress of the holiday season and bond with your spouse about what’s truly important.
17. Go Caroling
If you or your spouse are into music (and even if you’re not!), grab your guitar and go sing carols. Your neighbors will be blessed (and entertained according to your musical talent) and you will have a good time together. If you can find another couple willing to join, this is a great option for a double date.
18. Wrapped gift
Wrapping presents is an essential part of the holidays, but it’s often a tedious task that falls on mothers. This year, let’s all work together and share! Set the mood with fun wrapping paper, play holiday movies or music in the background, and light holiday-scented candles. This is a great opportunity to talk and connect while you work.
19. Attend a holiday concert, movie, or play
If you and your spouse like to get dressed up and go out on the town, Christmas is the perfect time to find holiday concerts and plays. Local theaters often present orchestral holiday music and ballet. nutcracker. Check your local listings and get your tickets in advance for a memorable and dressy night out.
20. Make advent stockings
This holiday date requires some advance planning, but a great way to stay connected with your spouse this time of year is to fill a large stocking with things you both like and have one each night for the weeks leading up to Christmas. Reading books one by one. This can easily become a Christmas tradition that you repeat every year.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/lucigerma
Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of more than 20 romance novels and novellas. She lives in north Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, lots of coffee mugs, and one furry toddler Schnauzer. Betsy has a BA in Communications and she has a deep-rooted passion for seeing women brought back to their truth. When she’s not writing her next book or trying to prove that unicorns are real, Betsy can be found somewhere near an iced coffee. She is a regular contributor to her iBelieve.com and offers author coaching and editing services through Storyside LLC.