If your idea of a winter “date” is eating Chinese food with your chick on the couch, it’s safe to assume she’ll get bored and leave you/your pork-fried rice for someone more exciting. Yes, it’s winter, and yes it’s unbearably cold, but girls love “activities.” Here are 10 non-couch-potato ideas to keep your dating life afloat this winter.
10 romantic winter dates
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1 OF 10
1 of 10
Warm up to the wonderful world of bourbon.
It’s a spirit that guarantees both you and your partner will stay toasty during cold winter months. Find a local bar or distillery that offers bourbon tastings and learn the difference between a 7-year-old 107-proof and a single barrel, 86-proof.
2 of 10
Put your game face on.
Organize a game of two-hand touch football with a few of your friends and her friends. Set up a full-blown tailgate in the parking lot and have everyone bring a wintery item like chili, pot roast, hot cider and gingerbread cookies.
3 of 10
Get cabin fever.
Rather than escaping to somewhere warm for a winter vacation, embrace the season by taking a long drive and renting a lake house or log cabin. Bundle up and go on a romantic hike. Leave your laptops at home and turn off your cell phone for the weekend.
4 of 10
Shack up for a winter movie marathon.
Make popcorn the old school way by popping kernels in a large pot over the stove, then let her choose a theme. For traditional holiday flicks, stick with classics like A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life. For comedies, Elf, Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; and if she’s partial to rom-coms, sit through them patiently and take deep breaths. Trust us.
5 of 10
Become human bowling balls.
Ice skating is too predictable, so why not try something new and unusual? Search for a rink near you that offers human ice bowling. Take turns being the “bowling ball” by sitting in a saucer—you’ll push each other down the ice to knock over human-sized “bowling pins” at the other end of the rink. (Watch a video of it here).
6 of 10
Bundle up together.
Tell her you’re in the market for a new winter sweater, and that you want her help in picking out the perfect one. Then surprise her by picking out a sweater for her too. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon an unattended fitting room and do the undressing for her.
7 of 10
Indulge her sweet tooth.
Turn your kitchen counter into a hot chocolate cocktail bar: start with a few packets of Swiss Miss, hot water, and whipped cream. Stock the bar with mini bottles of different liqueurs like peppermint schnapps, Bailey’s, Kahlua, vanilla vodka or Chambord. Sweeten the deal by making s’mores even if you don’t have a fireplace—you can toast the marshmallows over your stove.
8 of 10
Play a winter sport together.
Is there a winter sport that you’re both inexperienced at, like snowboarding? Learn together by taking a lesson, or if you’re a pro, be her instructor. Then treat yourselves to a few well-deserved cocktails in the lodge. Extra points if you offer her a foot rub when she takes off her boots.
9 of 10
Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
Sure, it’s not the sexiest date in the world, but it’ll be a bonding experience you’ll both feel good about. Not to mention, she’s guaranteed to tell all her friends what an amazing, selfless guy you are.
10 of 10
Abandon your masculinity.
On a cold winter day, what sounds better than warming up in a sauna or hot bath? Head to a local bath house or spa together for hot stone massages, steam rooms, warm robes and slippers.
It’s a spirit that guarantees both you and your partner will stay toasty during cold winter months. Find a local bar or distillery that offers bourbon tastings and learn the difference between a 7-year-old 107-proof and a single barrel, 86-proof.
Put your game face on.
Organize a game of two-hand touch football with a few of your friends and her friends. Set up a full-blown tailgate in the parking lot and have everyone bring a wintery item like chili, pot roast, hot cider and gingerbread cookies.
Get cabin fever.
Rather than escaping to somewhere warm for a winter vacation, embrace the season by taking a long drive and renting a lake house or log cabin. Bundle up and go on a romantic hike. Leave your laptops at home and turn off your cell phone for the weekend.
Shack up for a winter movie marathon.
Make popcorn the old school way by popping kernels in a large pot over the stove, then let her choose a theme. For traditional holiday flicks, stick with classics like A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life. For comedies, Elf, Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; and if she’s partial to rom-coms, sit through them patiently and take deep breaths. Trust us.
Become human bowling balls.
Ice skating is too predictable, so why not try something new and unusual? Search for a rink near you that offers human ice bowling. Take turns being the “bowling ball” by sitting in a saucer—you’ll push each other down the ice to knock over human-sized “bowling pins” at the other end of the rink. (Watch a video of it here).
Bundle up together.
Tell her you’re in the market for a new winter sweater, and that you want her help in picking out the perfect one. Then surprise her by picking out a sweater for her too. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon an unattended fitting room and do the undressing for her.
Indulge her sweet tooth.
Turn your kitchen counter into a hot chocolate cocktail bar: start with a few packets of Swiss Miss, hot water, and whipped cream. Stock the bar with mini bottles of different liqueurs like peppermint schnapps, Bailey’s, Kahlua, vanilla vodka or Chambord. Sweeten the deal by making s’mores even if you don’t have a fireplace—you can toast the marshmallows over your stove.
Play a winter sport together.
Is there a winter sport that you’re both inexperienced at, like snowboarding? Learn together by taking a lesson, or if you’re a pro, be her instructor. Then treat yourselves to a few well-deserved cocktails in the lodge. Extra points if you offer her a foot rub when she takes off her boots.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
Sure, it’s not the sexiest date in the world, but it’ll be a bonding experience you’ll both feel good about. Not to mention, she’s guaranteed to tell all her friends what an amazing, selfless guy you are.
Abandon your masculinity.
On a cold winter day, what sounds better than warming up in a sauna or hot bath? Head to a local bath house or spa together for hot stone massages, steam rooms, warm robes and slippers.
