33 Most Dazzling Christmas Date Ideas for 2023

The holiday season is full of energy with the changing weather and excitement for what’s to come, including romantic Christmas date ideas.

While the holidays bring a lot of joy, they can also be a stressful time when people’s schedules get really full. Prioritizing a loved one, especially during a busy season, is vital for the health of your relationship.

Planning a date doesn’t have to be an expensive, multiple-hour occasion — it’s little moments together that add up. The Gottmann Institute recommends finding new, fresh ideas to keep your dates engaging and worthwhile in a long-term relationship, and this list is the perfect place to start. 

As you transition away from all the fun fall date ideas, there is still tons of fun to be had in the winter months wherever you live. From re-living your favorite childhood memories and traditions to trying new things together, there are so many fun and festive ways to enjoy a Christmas date idea.  

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• Creative Christmas Date Ideas
• Foodie Christmas Date Ideas
• Romantic Christmas Date Ideas
• Unique Christmas Date Ideas

Creative Christmas Date Ideas

1. Holiday Paint and Sip

Sign up for a paint and sip near you to spread holiday cheer during this artsy Christmas date idea. You and your lover can sip on wine or beer while you brush and blend paint to create a holiday masterpiece.

A snowy landscape, your childhood Christmas tree and other whimsical Christmas painting ideas come to life when you join paint and sip in Chicago, paint and sip in San Diego or paint and sip in Denver, where a talented instructor will guide you step-by-step as you sip a beverage to warm you up!

Plus, online painting classes are just as fun, allowing you to learn and be creative from the comfort of your home.

2. Make Your Own Cocoa Mug

Get your hands dirty (in a good way) when you sign up for pottery classes near you. This hands-on Christmas date idea provides all the materials you need to create a beautiful Christmas tree-shaped cookie jar or really any holiday-themed piece you can dream up.

With pottery classes in the Bay Area, pottery classes in Boston and pottery classes in Houston, no matter where you live there’s an option for you and your sweetie.  

3. Decorate a Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses aren’t just for kids. This artsy Christmas date idea is a great way to get creative with your lover. You can each decorate your own house, or join forces and create a masterpiece together. A classic winter activity, this makes a fun date idea for teens and adults alike.  

4. Go to a Holiday Concert

Looking for Christmas events for couples near you? Concerts are a fun and easy Christmas date idea to enjoy as a couple or for a double date idea.

Whether it’s Christmas carols in the park, a budding artist at a local open mic night or a big star selling out your local arena, music has a way of bringing everyone together. 

5. Host a Tacky Sweater Party

There is really only one time a year you can pull out that tacky sweater you’ve been holding onto, and it’s a holiday tacky sweater party. Host a party with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife and have a great time.

Add a little competition with a prize for the ugliest sweater or best Christmas sweater. This Christmas date idea is sure to bring some giggles. 

6. Plan a Holiday Photo Shoot

Add this to your Christmas bucket list for couples — a holiday photo shoot. Not only does the snow falling and festive decorations make for a great photo backdrop, the outcome of this Christmas date idea just might be your Christmas card next year.

Hire a local photographer or ask a friend to snap a few photos and pose away. 

7. Deck the Halls

Do as the lyrics say and deck the halls with Christmas decorations. Setting up for the holidays can bring a lot of joy and get you in the mood, but it can be serious work, too.

Wondering what you and your spouse can do for Christmas? Start by decorating your home together. Hanging lights outdoors can really be a two-person job, and depending on how big you go with decorating inside, an extra pair of hands makes everything easier and more fun. 

8. Become a Patron of the Arts

Even if you know the plot by heart, going to a Christmas play or ballet can really put you in the holiday spirit.

Dress up, have a nice dinner together then head over to your local theater for an enjoyable Christmas date night. Enjoy the latest renditions of the Nutcracker ballet or A Christmas Story together. 

9. Build a Snowman

This one only works if you live in a snowy state, but there’s something so nostalgic about building a snowman.

This Christmas date idea isn’t just for kids! Adults and teens alike will have a great time rolling together snowmen or a family of snowmen and dressing them in their own way. 

Foodie Christmas Date Ideas

10. Take a Cooking Class

The holidays usually mean delicious, home-cooked food and an abundance of Christmas cookies. For the new home cook looking to spruce up their skills or just the couple hoping to learn something new, Christmas cooking classes near you have you covered.

Learn from expert chefs with cooking classes in Atlanta, cooking classes in Los Angeles or cooking classes in Dallas and you’ll be whipping up incredible holiday meals in no time.

Online cooking classes allow you to learn and practice in your home kitchen plus they make a delicious and romantic Christmas date idea. 

11. Mix Up a Drink

Local bars and restaurants tend to fill up around the holidays when people flock to town to visit their relatives. Why not take the romantic nightcap home? Learn to mix up tasty holiday-themed cocktails with an online mixology class for a unique Christmas activity for couples at home.

Are spirits not your thing? Virtual wine tastings are an easy and enjoyable Christmas date idea when you just want to stay cozy at home. Indoor date ideas are always a good idea when the weather turns cold and gray. 

12. Plant an Indoor Herb Garden

For the dedicated foodie, there’s nothing better than fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. With summer behind you, it doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to fresh ingredients.

Get your boyfriend or girlfriend to help you set up an indoor herb garden and relish the fruits of your labor the next time you prepare a tasty meal. Plus, every time you tend to your new garden you’ll remember that cozy Christmas date idea.  

13. Make Christmas Cookies

One of the best parts of Christmas is all those tasty Christmas cookies. Every family has their own recipe that they make each and every year, and cookie exchanges are super popular.

This Christmas date idea is basically combining quality time with something that’s probably already on your holiday to-do list. A delicious and easy Christmas activity for couples at home!

14. Make Fireside S’mores

While the lyrics say “chestnuts roasting on an open fire”, s’mores sound a lot better. Whether you’ve got a wood-burning fireplace or a cozy fire pit outside, making s’mores together is a tasty and romantic Christmas date idea.

Swap favorite holiday memories from childhood and enjoy some quality time.

15. Make Gourmet Hot Cocoa

Hot chocolate is the quintessential drink of snowy months, and there are so many amazing varieties to savor. White chocolate, mint hot chocolate or spicy Mexican hot chocolate with a hint of cayenne pepper will all warm you up and make your mouth water.

The powders work in a pinch, but it’s super easy to make your own. Next time you’re looking for a Christmas date idea or a way to spice up a night in, consider making your own gourmet hot cocoa.

It’s always worth the extra few minutes to heat up milk on the stove and stir in some real melted chocolate. 

16. Cookies for Your Neighbors

Christmas cookies are a part of the season that almost everyone loves, so spread that love and holiday spirit to your neighbors or loved ones.

This easy Christmas date idea involves making a batch or two of your favorite cookies and delivering them to your neighbors or loved ones.

A great opportunity to stop by, say hello and spread some positive vibes. This is great if you and your sweetheart moved into a new house or apartment lately and are looking for an excuse to meet the neighbors. 

Romantic Christmas Date Ideas

17. Learn to Dance

Dancing with your partner is super romantic, but unless you attend a lot of weddings, chances are good you don’t get to do it very often.

Sign up for dance classes in Chicago, dance classes in N.Y.C. or dance classes in Washington D.C. for a unique Christmas date idea that will make you feel extra connected.

Online dance classes are fun, too, and you don’t have to drive in the snow to get to the studio. All sorts of styles are available from classic ballroom to salsa, so try one or try them all and have a good time working up a sweat. 

18. Look at Christmas Lights

Take a walk or a drive around your neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful displays of Christmas lights. This easy, last-minute date idea will definitely get you in the holiday spirit and maybe inspire you to put up your own light display. As far as Christmas date ideas, it doesn’t get any easier than this!

19. Swap Family Traditions

One of the best parts of the holiday season is engaging in your family traditions. Wondering What should I do on Christmas Day for a date? Get your boyfriend or girlfriend involved in your family traditions!

This Christmas date idea is always going to be unique, and if you each swap traditions you just might find something you want to add to your holiday agenda. 

20. Visit an Animal Shelter

Looking for easy date ideas for married couples? Visit your local animal shelter together! You don’t have to be married to do this one, but if you’re newlyweds with no kids, adding a pet to the mix might be just the right move.

There’s no adoption requirement with this Christmas date idea, but those pets are craving love and attention, especially during the holiday season. What better gift for you and for them than some quality time or maybe a new home?

21. Christmas Movie Marathon

One of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit is by watching your favorite Christmas movies. An easy winter date idea, set up a holiday movie marathon with your lover.

From childhood favorites to the latest Hallmark movie, you can fill an afternoon or evening with heartwarming flicks. 

22. Take a Sleigh Ride

There’s something about riding in a horse-drawn carriage (or sleigh) that just makes everything feel romantic. Enjoy this cozy Christmas date idea with your lover before or after dinner for a really special night.

Don’t forget to get some photos together to remember the moment. 

23. Plan a Winter Getaway

The winter months are a popular time to plan a tropical vacation that offers some relief from the cold and gray. As an early gift and an exciting Christmas date idea, plan a romantic getaway, or even some staycation ideas for Christmas activities for couples at home.

Whether it’s a road trip to see your parents or best friends or an actual tropical destination, what matters is it’s a trip you both look forward to and will enjoy. 

24. Visit the Botanical Gardens

Local spots like the zoo or botanical gardens usually do something fun and festive around the holidays, so go check it out.

This easy Christmas date idea really just involves spending some quality time together and checking out a local attraction. Turn it into a pre or post-dinner activity for dinner and a show. 

25. Visit the Spa 

Those snowy winter days can be beautiful but the cold weather can do a number on your body and skin. Plan a couples spa day for a romantic Christmas date idea that will leave you looking and feeling refreshed.

From couples’ massages to facials or hot water therapy, whatever your spa service of choice there’s something for everyone. 

Unique Christmas Date Ideas

26. Wrap Gifts Together

Dates don’t have to be expensive or extravagant to mean something. Just quality time together is all you need for a nice Christmas date idea.

Set up a present wrapping station and settle in for an afternoon or evening together knocking out your Christmas to-do list. Listen to your favorite jams, sip on cocoa or a glass of wine and leave the phones to the side. 

27. Go Ice Skating

Even if you live somewhere with mild winter temps, chances are good there’s a mall or ice skating rink nearby. Living in the big apple? You’ve got to visit the iconic ice rink outside Rockefeller Center.

Ice skating with an idyllic city background and the massive Christmas tree is the ultimate date idea in NYC. No matter where you live, ice skating is a fun way to be active and enjoy a Christmas date idea together.  

28. Go Thrifting

Ugly sweater parties come out around the holidays, and while you might not have an ugly sweater in your house, you can turn ugly sweater thrifting into a fun Christmas date idea.

Big cities tend to have a lot of thrift stores with a huge range of styles to choose from. Pick a neighborhood and hit all the thrift stores searching for ugly sweaters or unique finds on a great date idea in Chicago. 

29. Visit a Christmas Market

Stroll through an adorable Christmas market, hand-in-hand with your sweetie this holiday season. A totally free Christmas date idea (unless you buy things!), it’s always enjoyable to see how festive vendors get.

With local snacks and a plethora of great items for gifting, this is a great first date idea around the holidays.

30. Polar Plunge

If you live near a body of water that freezes over in the winter months, chances are good there’s a polar plunge or two planned. If you’ve never done one, this addition to your Christmas bucket list for couples is a fun bonding experience.

An easy day date idea that might even double as a good cause, you’ll experience a fun rush of adrenaline and an amazing feeling of accomplishment when you emerge from the icy waters.

Polar plunge events typically have a small fee to sign up and the money goes to a local charity.  

31. Volunteer Somewhere

The holidays are a time when people tend to reflect on how fortunate they are to have what they have, so it’s a great time to give back to your community.

For this Christmas date idea, choose an organization near and dear to you and spend the day volunteering in some capacity. Not only will you feel great about doing it, but your time or money donated really makes a difference. 

32. Have Your Own Mini Christmas

Depending on how long you’ve been together, you may or may not be able to physically spend the holidays together. Enjoy your own miniature Christmas with a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner, or try fun gift exchange ideas to make a game of it.

33. Choose a Tree Together

Wondering how can I have fun on Christmas? Spend the day cutting and decorating your new tree!  If you’re planning to spend a romantic Christmas together, cutting down a tree together is a really sweet Christmas date idea.

No, you can’t just cut down any tree you see out walking in the woods, but check the internet for local tree farms that let you pick out and cut down a tree to fill your home. 

You might be wondering is Christmas Eve romantic? You can make it romantic with any of these fun Christmas date ideas! That extra sense of closeness and joy certainly adds a touch of romantic energy to the season.

But navigating the holidays with a new (or old) boyfriend can bring some stress. There seem to be endless parties and things needing attention, so it’s important to prioritize dates with your partner.

Whether it’s tackling Christmas decorating together or making a special meal, there are a lot of creative Christmas date ideas that can really bring two people together. 

So, what do couples do for Christmas? Sharing traditions and making your own for just the two of you with this list of fun Christmas date ideas is a great place to start. 

For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!