Friday Five: 5 Winter Date Ideas

With winter weeks away, it’s time for another post on winter date ideas! After sharing Matt’s story on how we met this week, I got so many questions about our relationship and what we do together. Today’s Friday Five post (a fun series I started to share random things) was the perfect opportunity to start sharing. Here are 5 winter date ideas we’ve done and some that are on our list!

1. Go see some festive decor.

It may take a little searching but Facebook seems to be the way I find most of these events! There’s nothing like festive decor and some hot cocoa to give you all the heart eyes. Find a winter wonderland where everyone on the block has decorated their homes with lights, walk through a mall, take a sleigh ride, or head to a local holiday market. There is something in every city!

If you’re in Chicago, try the Christkindlmarket. We went a few weeks back and are heading back next weekend! They had the most amazing ornament shop and a unique assortment of gifts as well as souvenir mugs for hot cocoa. There is a location both in Wrigleyville and the Loop at Daley Plaza.

2. Hot cocoa and s’mores.

Switch up your date location and maybe have one at home. Whether you have a fireplace inside or a fire pit outside, break out the graham crackers and warm up some cocoa! It’s always fun to cook s’mores – you learn a little bit about someone by seeing how well done they like their marshmallows. If you don’t have a way to make fire at home, keep an open mind and look for other places to try this. If all else fails, try a big candle or the microwave (if you’re careful).

3. Ice skating.

There’s no faster way into your man’s arms than wobbling like baby Bambi on some ice skates! Every climate usually has an ice skating rink at a major attraction. I remember in California there was one at the Santa Monica promenade and the Irvine Spectrum. In Chicago, it’s just called sidewalk. Kidding! There are multiple locations by The Bean and you better believe I’m going to make Matt go with me this year! Luckily winter is very long here so there’s no sense of urgency!

If you’re in a cold climate, make sure to grab your favorite scarf and some mittens to bundle up!

4. Have a weekend in snow.

Make snow angels, go on a winter-y hike, and cozy up by the fire. If you have the means to take a quick weekend trip to the mountains, you can spend the time focusing on each other. Matt had never let me forget the weekend I whisked him away to Banff when we lived in Los Angeles. Since he’s from Chicago, cold and snow wasn’t new for him but I loved it!

If you live in a cold climate and are thinking to yourself that you’d rather have a warm escape, do it! Start your own trend by traveling south in search of sunshine.

5. Plan a game night.

If you’re up for it, make it a group date night! Whether Scrabble or Cards Against Humanity, a few games is a way to make staying inside way more exciting. Buy a cocktail recipe book and plan to make a few craft cocktails to try something new! If your bar cart is in need of an update, here is how to decorate your bar cart.

Which winter date ideas sound best to you? Let me know in the comments below!