Well, it's happening. We've reached cuffing season in a pandemic, when lockdown meets gotta-lock-it-down and you're in need of winter date ideas. If you're single and looking, it's harder than ever to find an activity that's fun but also safe, and if you're in a relationship, you're probably desperate for new ways to spend time with your partner. After all, “Netflix and chill” has been the vibe for the last seven months. Over it!
Here are some fun, easy winter date ideas that, at the very least, will occupy you until it's time to crawl under the blankets again.
1. Take a walk through the snow.
It's Lorelai Gilmore's favorite thing to do, and her relationship rules. Just sayin'. When the snow starts falling, grab your partner and get strolling before it gets too icy. One of the few perks of face masks is that they keep your mouth warm! Grab a to-go cup from your local café and sip coffee or hot chocolate on a bench outside to keep yourself from freezing while you social distance.
2. Try some DIY karaoke.
Karaoke is one of the most fun things you can do with your pants on, and thanks to the magic of the internet, it's doable over Zoom. Set up a group call on your TV screen and put the lyrics and backing track on your laptop, then belt it out like you're all in the car with James Corden. Nothing brings people together like making a fool of yourselves.
3. Get creative around town.
Check out the holiday window displays in department store windows, or make a reservation to see a museum exhibit where safe (six feet; masks on!). Concert halls and movie theaters may be closed, but there are still ways to get a little culture in. Murals and sculpture gardens are outdoors and, best of all, free!
4. Embrace cookie season.
If you're not totally sick of quarantine baking, try your hand at decorating with icing and sprinkles. If you are, now you have an excuse to buy 12 boxes of Girl Scout cookies at a time: It's going to support young women! Make a blind taste test out of it—think your person can guess which flavor it is?
5. Invent a new recipe.
We all miss big Sunday brunches, but you can make your own little breakfast spot. Take whatever you have in the refrigerator and see what you can each come up with. If you need a little inspiration, we found some pretty genius vegetarian breakfast options for you.
6. Netflix and chill? Still totally an option.
Look, it's a classic for a reason! We recommend the two of you cuddle up on the couch and get invested in some prestige TV. We're obsessed with The Queen's Gambit, and we've got loads of recommendations for what to stream next.
7. Make Alex Trebek proud.
RIP, Alex! Honor the late, great host's by hosting your own trivia night with friends over Zoom, couple versus couple, or just let an old Jeopardy episode play and make a game out of who can guess the most right answers before the contestants. Well, who can guess the most right questions, technically.
8. Take advantage of the cold with some romantic ice-skating.
For some reason, it seems like one person in every relationship is good at skating and the other one falls every other minute. Use it as an excuse to hold each other tighter.
9. Get a little buzzed.
A wine-of-the-month club never seemed like such a good idea. You can try mixing new cocktails from your home bar cart, or turn doing the dishes (the never-ending dishes!) into some kind of drinking game. The one benefit of getting lit at home is you don't need to worry about paying for an Uber after last call.
10. Have a themed cuisine night.
Cannoli and The Godfather. Chocolate and Chocolat. Ratatouille and Ratatouille. Order (or make) a dish you've been meaning to try, and find a movie that's somehow related to it, whether by location or as part of the plot. You can even dress up and listen to thematically related music. It's a night in Paris without the hassle or the expense!
11. Get crafty.
Color us corny, but we love all the wintry crafts. Make a gingerbread house together or bust out the old protractor and cut out those six-pointed paper snowflakes we all made in middle school. Knit each other scarves and hats and mittens to stay cozy all winter long. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get into a deep conversation when you're also doing something with your hands
12. Have a snowball fight.
If you can't beat the cold, embrace it. Get a sled and hit the park, make snow angels and pelt each other with snowballs…roll up a snowman too. As long as it's light out, make the most of the outdoors.
13. Throw a mini concert.
Did you learn to play the guitar in quarantine? Even if it's only “Wonderwall,” your date wants to hear it, because there's just nothing like live music. If neither of you are instrumentally inclined, stream a live concert together and pretend you're at a venue. Hey, no line for the bathroom.
