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Winter is here and the classic holiday festivities are back in action. Santa’s village, ice skating, lighted botanical gardens — the complete holiday works are in full swing for a fun and festive season with loved ones. Crossing the holiday season with your significant other is like a right of passage. You almost have to do the ice skating, cookie decorating and binge-watching of Lifetime holiday movies to really test the bonds of your relationship.
Now, I love ice skating as much as the next person, and these Christmas town dates are absolutely traditional, but I’ve done all of that before with my partner. What else is there to do? I began looking into some non-traditional holiday date ideas to break the typical holiday date pattern. Here’s my list of nontraditional, yet festive, holiday date ideas.
1. Head on a (mini) road trip
Pick a spot just outside of town. Grab a bite and maybe stay the night if you’d like but just drive, blast Christmas music and spend some quality time with one another. I have a favorite pizza place I love that’s about an hour and a half out of town. It’s a perfect little day trip.
2. Podcast and chill
Podcasts are a hit and miss crowd and let me tell you, I was a miss for a while until I stumbled upon some REALLY good freakin’ podcasts. They’re like audio books. Hop in the car, go grab some hot chocolate, and find a spot that you can park for a while. Maybe that’s 5 miles up the road, maybe it’s literally in your driveway. Bring blankets and maybe a snack. Sip on your hot chocolate together and enjoy the story coming out of your speakers. My two favorite podcasts recently are Dr. Death and Dirty John. Not very Christmasy but have a really good storyline.
3. Wine down and wind down
The holidays have us all crazy so why not take a moment to just be. Create a little meditation station with fuzzy blankets, candles, and pillows. Turn off all of your electronics (except the device you’ll be using for your meditation) and let the meditation take you through a journey. Relational meditation can allow couples to feel more vulnerable in each others presence leading to more open communication, increased honesty, and a less frantic approach to life. Afterward, wind down with a glass of wine. Share some stories, and find something out about one another that maybe you didn’t know before.
4. Run in a holiday-themed marathon
There are so many races that capitalize on the Christmas season. Let’s burn off those calories before we put them back on this holiday season. Get your rear in gear and dress the mart to the MAX. Afterward, you can celebrate with some fresh baked gingerbread cookies.
5. Make a homemade meal together
The world is your oyster. This is a no judge zone. If you’re feeling really creative, try making your own pizza with some crazy toppings. If you want mushrooms on a white sauce pizza with peppermint and mustard, no one can stop you. Be sure to write down what you use, who knows, if it’s tasty enough it could become a holiday tradition for you.
6. Become hot chocolate critics
You always hear about how people have a favorite hot chocolate spot they only visit during the holidays because their hot chocolate is just THE BEST. Well, it’s time to find your own hot chocolate hub. Try a new café in the area of an unexpected chain store that serves hot chocolate. Buy a cup to split and find your favorite one!
Holiday dates are always fun, but if you’re looking for something that’s not so cliché, then try something a little out-of-the-box this holiday season. Who knows: you might start your very own holiday tradition with your boo!
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