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The holidays are already an expensive time of year, so adding another pricey dinner reservation or night out to your budget might not be in the cards. But that doesn\u2019t mean you and your partner have to put date night<\/a> on pause until January. These affordable holiday date ideas prove you can spend quality time together, get into the festive spirit, and make memories without spending a fortune. From cozy at-home dates to inexpensive ways to get out of the house, there\u2019s something for every couple\u2014and every holiday budget<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is arguably the best time of year to cuddle under a blanket while you watch a cheesy holiday movie<\/a>. Stock up on your favorite movie theater treats before your next date night and make a plan with your partner about what movies you want to watch. You can\u2019t go wrong with classics like Home Alone<\/em> or The Santa Claus<\/em>, but scrolling through what’s new on streaming <\/a>for Hallmark-style holiday movies is just as festive and exciting.<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing like a little competition to spice up date night! Grab a couple of gingerbread house kits from your local store and challenge each other to see who can decorate the best one. You can judge creativity, assembly, sturdiness, and more to determine the real winner. But no matter who wins, you\u2019ll both have a blast, enjoy eating some of the icing and candy along the way, take cute pictures, and of course, make holiday memories you\u2019ll cherish.<\/p>\n Is there anything better than making a mess in the kitchen with your significant other as you attempt to bake something from scratch? We\u2019ll wait. Find a holiday cookie<\/a> or other wintry baked good recipe online or recreate an old family recipe before picking up your ingredients. Then, make sure your kitchen is clean and your baking tools are washed and ready to go, so your baking steps are a breeze. Regardless of how adept you or your partner are or aren\u2019t at baking, you\u2019ll have a blast doing this together and be rewarded with a well-earned treat to enjoy at the end.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the mood to move your body and get out of the house, this is the perfect affordable date night<\/a> for you. Bundle up in a winter outfit and head to a local ice skating rink together. If you\u2019re a beginner, use your lack of experience as an excuse to hold hands with your date as you skate around. But if you\u2019re comfortable in skates, show off your skills! When your time on the ice is up, head back home for a warm winter meal<\/a> and a cozy night in.<\/p>\n You know the holidays are here when there are holiday lights everywhere you look. Drive around town and look for houses with the best decorations, or bundle up to walk around your city and admire the stunning holiday storefronts. You can even check out a local tree lighting if you have one near you! There\u2019s no shortage of light displays in the U.S.<\/a>, and it\u2019s a great way to embrace the holiday spirit.<\/p>\n This time of year is insanely busy, and it\u2019s easy to get swept up in the chaos and forget how fortunate you are. For your next date night, give back to the community by volunteering at a local soup kitchen (or another cause that is important to you!) together. Although volunteering is important throughout the entire year, giving people who need extra attention during this time is particularly special. Plus, it makes for a great bonding opportunity for you and your date.<\/p>\n Tap into your competitive side and take on your partner with a one-on-one game night<\/a>. Break out a deck of cards and challenge them to a game of poker, or dust off the Monopoly board if you\u2019re feeling brave. If you\u2019re in the mood for something steamy or romantic, light some candles and play Truth or Dare or a sexy card game<\/a>. Whatever you decide, pair your game with a divine charcuterie board<\/a> and drinks for the ultimate night in.<\/p>\n Level up your mixology skills and whip up some winter-inspired beverages<\/a> with your date. Try your hand at a festive non-alcoholic beverage<\/a> or go all out with the frosty martini of your dreams. Make a few different kinds, taste test each, and rate them on a scale of 1-5 to determine the drinks you will make for every holiday party for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t matter how much you love staying in\u2014there are just some nights you need to get out of the house for a little bit. When that happens, check out a museum or art gallery with your date. Not only do most museums and galleries offer free or inexpensive admission, but they give you an excuse to dress up for the evening and enrich your cultural or historical knowledge while you\u2019re at it. Afterward, end the evening with a nightcap at a nearby bar before tucking in for the night.<\/p>\n Consider this your permission to throw on your pajamas at 4 p.m. and recreate the slumber party of your childhood dreams with a holiday twist. Create a holiday playlist, put on your favorite festive pajamas (bonus points if you are matching!), stock up on beverages and snacks, and devour a pizza. Once you\u2019re tired from dancing around and playing games, plop down on the couch and watch a holiday movie<\/a> before lights out.<\/p>\n If you have snow on the ground during this time, take advantage of it by tapping into your inner child and playing in the snow. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, make snow angels, go sledding, or even try snowshoeing if you\u2019re craving a good workout. No matter what you do, you’ll probably laugh the entire time and can warm each other up in a steamy shower<\/a> afterward. This is easily one of the most fun (and romantic) winter date ideas<\/a> on this list.<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve baked a decadent holiday treat and whipped up a wintry beverage, play some holiday music and decorate your space<\/a> for the season ahead together. Regardless of whether this is your first holiday season together or not, decorating together will make the holidays feel that much more special. Likewise, it\u2019ll also help you tap into the spirit of the season and encourage you to slow down and savor it all.<\/p>\n Finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list can be extremely stressful during the holidays. But let’s not forget that something you make by hand is always more meaningful than anything money could buy. Gather supplies with your partner and DIY a few gifts<\/a>! Bonus points for listening to a holiday playlist and sipping on a holiday cocktail while you get your DIY on.<\/p>\n When there’s snow on the ground and you can’t imagine stepping outside, pick out and start a puzzle with your partner! Cozy up in your pajamas and start sorting those pieces. You can even pick out a holiday-themed puzzle to really get in the spirit. The best part about this one is that it can become a multiple-day endeavor, and something you look forward to doing together every day.<\/p>\n The best part about the holidays is that there’s always something going on. Festivals, parades, markets\u2014there are plenty of local events that you can enjoy for a low price. Bundle up in your favorite winter coat and hit the town together hand in hand. Enjoy a parade, shop for some trinkets at a market, or enjoy a holiday festival with music and lights.<\/p>\n Another great way to spend date night this time of year is by taking a holiday-themed class together. If you’re feeling artistic, choose a painting or pottery class that lets you get crafty and take your creation home. Or, if you’re a little hungry, try a cooking class so that you can eat your finished product. Dinner and an activity, for the price of one!<\/p>\n One of my favorite free activities during the holidays is to window shop. For your next date night, enjoy some window shopping together and admire the extravagant, festive displays. Maybe you can add some ideas to your wish list from what you see, or get an idea of what your partner is eyeing as well. Grab your hot coffee, roam the streets, and enjoy those Hallmark movie vibes.<\/p>\n Sit down together over hot chocolate, coffee, or a festive cocktail and make a list of all of the holiday activities<\/a> you want to do before the season is over. Think beyond the big-ticket activities: drive around to see holiday lights, bake a new cookie recipe, watch your favorite Christmas movie, visit a local market, or make a DIY ornament. Then pick a few to tackle together throughout the season. It\u2019s a simple, free holiday date that can turn into a whole month (or more!) of festive plans.<\/p>\n Turn a trip to the thrift store<\/a> into a little competition by giving each other a small budget and a holiday-themed mission. See who can find the best vintage ornament, tackiest Christmas sweater, funniest holiday decor, or most unique gift for under $10. You can even pick a category for each other and keep the final purchase a surprise. It\u2019s an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon together, and you\u2019ll probably leave with a few hilarious finds to remember the date by.<\/p>\n You don’t have to be in the market for a Christmas tree to enjoy an afternoon at a tree farm. Bundle up, wander through the rows of evergreens, take a few festive photos together, and soak up the holiday atmosphere. Many tree farms also have seasonal treats, hot cider, or cozy fire pits to enjoy afterward, making it easy to turn a simple walk into a full holiday date idea. And if you do end up finding the perfect tree, well, that’s just an added bonus.<\/p>\n Arianna is a freelance writer and journalist, and the self-proclaimed hot and dirty martini queen. At The Everygirl, Arianna uses her authenticity and relatability to empower, inspire, and motivate women everywhere. Whether she\u2019s writing about sex and relationships, career and finance, beauty and fashion, wellness, or home and living, Arianna\u2019s passion shines through in all her work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n1. Have a holiday movie marathon<\/h2>\n
2. Decorate gingerbread houses<\/h2>\n
3. Bake holiday cookies<\/h2>\n
4. Go ice skating<\/h2>\n
5. Take a holiday lights tour<\/h2>\n
6. Volunteer together<\/h2>\n
7. Have a game night<\/h2>\n
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8. Mix up winter beverages<\/h2>\n
9. Head to a museum or art gallery<\/h2>\n
10. Have a pajama party<\/h2>\n
11. Play in the snow<\/h2>\n
12. Decorate for the holidays<\/h2>\n
13. DIY holiday gifts<\/h2>\n
14. Start a puzzle<\/h2>\n
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15. Attend a local holiday event<\/h2>\n
16. Take a holiday-themed class<\/h2>\n
17. Window shop at your favorite stores<\/h2>\n
18. Make a holiday bucket list<\/h2>\n
19. Have a festive thrift store challenge<\/h2>\n
20. Take a Christmas tree farm walk<\/h2>\n
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\n <\/div>\n\nABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/div>\n\nArianna Reardon, Contributing Writer<\/h3>\n
READ ARIANNA’S FULL BIO<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n ![\"hailey](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hailey-bouche-headshot-teg-1-1.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n\nABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/div>\n\nHailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor<\/h3>\n