It’s getting colder outside, which means that you have the perfect excuse to snuggle up with your partner and enjoy some quality time together.
If you’re a couple that prefers spending lots of time outdoors, though, it can be hard to think of fun dates that don’t require nice weather.
Snow outside doesn’t mean your relationship can’t start heating up. There are lots of indoor date ideas where you can stay warm — or even avoid leaving your house altogether.
Check out these eight winter date ideas to stay happy and warm this holiday season.
1. Cook Dinner at Home
Who says you have to go out to eat to have a romantic dinner? Take the opportunity to cook yourselves dinner at home and have a fantastic meal.
Not the best cook ever? This is a good reason to learn how to make a recipe that you’ve been thinking about for a while. If both of you are new to cooking, learning something new together can be a great bonding experience.
Assign each person a side dish and cook the main course together. To add some romance, choose a wine pairing for your meal. (Don’t worry — no one will know if it’s cheap.)
2. Head to a Brewery
If you want to get out and about, head to a local brewery. You don’t have to be a beer aficionado to have fun learning how it’s made!
Plus, going somewhere nearby is a great way to support smaller, local breweries who probably rely on regional sales. You’ll be able to walk around the brewery (indoors), learn more about how beer is made, and taste the finished product.
Depending on where you end up, you might even be able to grab a warm bite to eat after the tour is over. Plus, if you like your samples, you can take a few bottles home to enjoy whenever you want.
3. Try Wine & Watercolors
If wine is more your style, try painting with a twist by going to a wine and watercolors class together. These classes are just what they sound like — sipping on a glass of wine while painting a watercolor.
Don’t worry, there’s no artistic experience required. Everyone gets the same template and the instructor will walk you through it. The wine will warm you up and you get to take your painting home at the end of the night!
This is a great opportunity to do something new while enjoying each other’s company.
4. Go to a Show
Bundle up and head to a show. This time of year, you can catch a ballet like The Nutcracker if you really want to get in the holiday season. See the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies in real life and marvel at how people can stay on their toes for that long.
Ballet not your style? Try a play instead. Going to the theater is an excuse to get all dressed up and appreciate just how nice your partner cleans up. (The show itself is great, too.)
Make it a full night out by going out for dessert afterward.
5. Make Your Own Fondue
Of course, if the wind is really blowing and you don’t want to go anywhere, you can make dessert at home. Did you know that you can make your own fondue?
Whether you want to indulge in chocolate or cheese, you can make a warm treat for yourself without leaving the house. If you don’t have a fondue pot, a heavy saucepan will do the trick for you. There are plenty of recipes to try out, so you can keep using this date night idea until you’ve tested each of them.
Just get something you want to dip in your fondue and enjoy. (If you can eat it in front of the fireplace, that’s even better.)
6. Netflix and Chill
“Netflix and chill” is a running joke, but it’s also a great date idea. Chances are, you’re not taking full advantage of that Netflix subscription. Why not use it to its full potential?
Cozy up to your partner on the couch and see if you can find a romantic movie to watch for a great evening in. If you’re feeling more playful, try to find the worst movie on the streaming platform for a Bad Movie Night.
You’ll either spend the night wrapped in each other’s arms or laughing uncontrollably. Either way, you’ll have discovered a great way to spend time with one another.
7. See the Holiday Lights
Get into the holiday spirit…while staying in your warm car.
Bring some blankets, turn up the heat, and make your car as cozy as possible. Then drive around the area to look at all of the Christmas lights and decorations that people have put up. If there’s a light show near you, even better.
Bring some hot apple cider or hot cocoa to sip on and warm you up as you drive.
Other than the cost of gas, this is a free way to get some holiday cheer and have a fun, memorable evening with your partner.
8. Test Your Trivia Skills
Did you really enjoy your brewery tour? Think you’ve got what it takes to win at bar trivia? Form a team with your partner and head to the closest place offering a trivia game.
If you know that you’re really great at sports trivia, or if your partner knows every television fact known to man, be on the lookout for themed trivia nights. You can even make this a double or triple date by inviting other couples to be on your team with you.
Trivia nights offer some super fun competitions. Plus, if you win, you might get a free bar tab out of it!
Test out These Winter Date Ideas
The weather might be cold, but your relationship doesn’t have to be. Use these winter date ideas to heat up your romance life and keep the love alive through the holiday season.
Need some more inspiration? Discover ten date ideas for happy and healthy relationships. You’ll thank yourself later.
