“And Ma in her kerchief. And I in my cap, Had just settled down. To a long winter’s nap.” Now that I’m married and a mom, this line from The Night Before Christmas conjures up this mental image of myself and my husband in full-coverage winter pajamas, hunkering down on our sides of the bed, pulling the covers up to our chins, trying to make it through another cold, dark night. Now maybe that’s just me (and hopefully I didn’t ruin the story for you), but getting out of our proverbial “kerchief and cap” to reconnect is hard after having kids, especially during and after the winter holiday chaos. To help, we put together a few ways to warm up with your partner when the nights are long and cold. Here’s to reconnecting and finding that spark—kerchiefs and all. Read on for 15 of the best winter date ideas.
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Winter Date Night Ideas
1. Make a meal after the kids go to bed
Sip wine and chat as you chop the ingredients up for a special meal for two. Note: this date night idea works best if you can eat some appetizers while the kids are still awake or eating their dinner because no one wants to be meal prepping while hangry.
2. Create an at-home spa night
Pampering can be a relaxing way to wind down, especially if it’s not something you normally do together. Get out your most luxurious face masks, massage oils, and beauty products, and take turns giving one another the royal treatment. Leave out some citrus-infused spa water to complete the experience. If your love language is physical touch, this idea only helps build that romance!
3. Have a fireside chat
Lighting the fire, literally, can be a good excuse to get cozy and talk over a cup of spiced cider or hot chocolate. Have a fire pit? Try bundling up and going outside. Have a fireplace? Great, share a blanket and a snuggle. No fireplace? Try lighting a bunch of candles to set the mood. And if you’re worried you won’t be able to stop talking about the kids, we have you covered—click here for 41 things to talk about on date night instead of your family.
4. Get in on some friendly competition with game night
My husband and I have played the most competitive games of Gin Rummy I’ve ever experienced, but it only reminds us of who we were pre-kids, when everything was just a bit lighter and more carefree. Bring out your favorite video, board, or card games, and put out some salty snacks. Place bets to spice it up even more. The smack talk only helps fuel that friendly fire.
5. Do some DIY wine tasting at home
Head to the local wine store and choose a few options for you and your partner to sample with some cheese or chocolate pairings. (Better yet: consider a wine subscription box, so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of home.) Make it more fun and Google the region and share tidbits about each one as you partake.
6. Enjoy a hot yoga class together
Heat things up—literally—by getting sweaty together at a hot yoga class. If possible, try to find a studio that offers partner classes. That way, you two can reconnect on a physical level with no words at all.
7. Do a pottery class together
A great way to create intimacy is helping one another create something. Finding a local pottery shop that offers classes is a great way to get your hands dirty with one another, learn something new, and make memories together. The best part? You get to go home with something you two crafted together and can reminisce on the date each time you use it.
8. Catch a comedy show
When life gets busy, it can be hard to remember the last time we had some good belly laughs with our partner. Remedy that in the easiest way possible by heading to a comedy show or improv night at a local comedy club. Either sit in the back and share giggles and commentary, or try to get seats front and center to see if you two can be playfully called out by the comedian.
9. Use the ‘Card Decks’ app at dinner
An oldie but a goodie, as they say, is getting dressed up for a romantic dinner. There’s a reason this is a classic date night idea—it’s dedicated time spent with just the two of you. Make the event even more intentional by using the Gottman Card Decks app to initiate meaningful conversations. The app was created by The Gottman Institute that was founded by celebrated doctors and relationship experts, John and Julie Gottman. It’s known for having hundreds of conversation prompts in a number of categories—some specifically for date nights!
10. Take a dance class
It can be really difficult to step outside of our comfort zone, but also very rewarding when we do! Even if you and your partner have four left feet, trying something new like a dance class offers a great bonding experience. You may share lots of laughs, which is great on its own, too. You may also find that you’re not half bad and form a new level of intimacy. Either way, it’s a win-win!
11. Go to a concert
Keep those dancing shoes on and pair them with a date night outfit perfect for hitting the town. Find live music venues in your area and grab some tickets to an upcoming event. Date nights don’t have to be quiet to be intimate—spend the night singing, dancing, and making new memories together is sure to keep the spark alive after kids.
12. Go axe-throwing
At first thought, axe-throwing might not sound like the best means of reconnection. But when you think about it, it’s actually kind of genius. Think of it as an opportunity to blow off some steam from the stressors of life. Along the way, you two will be cheering each other on as try to hit the bullseye, and share in each others’ successes. Have a fun evening out with this type of activity before grabbing some drinks or mocktails and enjoying good conversation to end the night.
13. Take a cooking class
Classes of any kind are always a great date idea—but one that includes a hand-cooked meal couldn’t be better. Learn a new recipe together to make again at your next at-home date night.
14. Hire a private chef
Speaking of an at-home date night, if you want to splurge a bit and have a good babysitter on retainer, spend a romantic night in the comfort of your own home by hiring a private chef. No one has to worry about driving home after one too many nightcaps, and there’s something seriously luxurious about having a five-star dining experience in your own home.
15. Plan a sexy reconnection
I’d be remiss in curating this list if I didn’t add a tip for building intimacy. We know it’s not always easy to make time for romance, especially during a busy season. Maybe physical intimacy isn’t top of your list right now, which is absolutely fine. But it can be so rewarding to put aside the phones and turn off the TVs in favor of some old-fashioned physical intimacy.
Everyone finds confidence and sexiness in different ways: maybe for you, it’s dressing up in a beautiful outfit. Or perhaps you need to connect with a thoughtful conversation with your partner. Maybe you’re someone who loves spontaneous interaction and mystery. Either way, figure out what circumstances make you and your partner feel best, and see if you can create that romance in your relationship. The name of the game is reconnection, after all.
