10 Romantic Winter Dates for couples in the Triangle
10 Romantic Winter Dates for Couples in the Triangle
(they’re kid friendly too!)
The winter months can be a stressful time with the holidays, end of year wrap ups at work and school, and just generally being cooped up inside more. During this high stress period, it’s even more important to be conscious about spending some quality time with your partner. Below, you’ll find a list of 10 date ideas that embrace this time of year and promote connection with your special someone. Whether you like to stay home and warm or would rather have a little adventure, these are sure to create lasting memories together!
Escape Room With A Cozy Twist
Escape rooms have been a popular way to work on relationship building in the last few years, but require you to book in advance and travel to their building. This winter, we suggest staying warm and cozy at home for a date with an escape room board game. There are several different themes to choose from and will involve you and your partner (possibly your kids too if you invite them!) working together to solve the mystery and “escape”.
2. Ice Skating Downtown
If you and your partner are looking for something that involves a more traditional winter sport, we can’t help you conjure any snow but we can help you go ice skating! Red Hat Amphitheater is now an ice skating rink, until January 16th, 2023, and tickets are 11 dollars! With our lack of frozen lakes in the triangle, this will definitely be a memorable date this winter!
3. Hot Chocolate and Christmas Lights
This is a classic and intentional date where you and your loved one can spend quality time driving around, welcoming the joy that Christmas lights bring! The special touch here is making or picking up some hot chocolate to enjoy throughout the ride. There are lots of great light displays in the triangle, but Apex has a Holiday Tour of Lights that is free and mapped out for you!
4. Favorite Holiday Movie Double Feature
Looking for more of a relaxing date? Show each other how much you value the other’s individual interests by setting up a viewing party that includes both of your favorite holiday movies! Share what you love about the movie and the great memories you have associated with it before it starts to promote a deeper connection. You can take it a step further by picking out each other’s favorite movie snacks to enjoy while watching!
5. Try Out A New Soup Recipe
There’s no better time than winter for a nice, hot bowl of soup and you can use this date to keep the kindling of your relationship warm. A step up from just a normal dinner date, pick out a new soup recipe for the both of you to make and try together! If one of you doesn’t feel comfortable in the kitchen, be intentional about spending time with your partner while they cook. The internet is full of many delicious options, but some of our favorite recipes come from Half-Baked Harvest!
6. Shopping Date With a Giving Twist
Don’t let the title deter you, this date doesn’t involve shopping for family members or bringing any more items into your home. Instead, set out with your loved one to find some cold weather gear (socks, gloves, hats, coats, etc) to give to those in need. There are many wonderful organizations in the triangle where you can drop off these items to be distributed to those that are facing sleeping in the cold during these harsh winter months. Some of these organizations include The Women's Center of Wake County, Raleigh Rescue Mission, Note in the Pocket, and Urban Ministries of Durham. There are many other local organizations and churches that help out those in need so please don’t feel confined to this list! Additionally, if you and your partner enjoy an online shopping experience, many of those organizations also have Amazon wish lists that you can shop directly through.
7. Gingerbread House Competition
A date that involves childlike fun is always a great way to connect with your partner! This winter pick up some gingerbread house kits (or use your own supplies) and host your very own competition. You can up the ante by finding an objective third party judge and setting a prize for the winner!
8. Polar Plunge
This is for couples that love adventure and are looking for something to jolt their relationship (or their senses). Polar plunges involve jumping into very cold water during the winter months! Many times these events act as fundraisers for great causes, but you can make a date out of jumping into the ocean or a lake of your choosing and enjoying the surrounding area. If you would like to take part in a fundraiser, there are many Polar Plunge events in the next few months that benefit the North Carolina Special Olympics!
9. Make Ornaments
A date for a couple that loves to craft or just wants to experience activities that you did as children, together! Gather your supplies and make some homemade ornaments for your own tree and/or as gifts for everyone else in your life! Make sure you choose ornaments that won’t be stressful to make so you are able to enjoy this quality time together.
10. NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Lastly, enjoy a stroll with your loved one through Koka Booth Amphitheatre at the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary! Check out these handcrafted, LED lit lanterns, try delicious food and drinks from their Crescent Cafe, and watch stage performances after you’ve finished your walking tour. The festival is ongoing nightly until January 8th, 2023 and tickets range from 11 to 35 dollars, excluding the military, senior 55+, and college student discount. Engage in a new experience with your partner and make memories (or traditions) that will last a lifetime!
We hope these special dates will help you and your partner connect during this busy Holiday season!
written by:
Jennifer Cloud, LCMHC-A
Jennifer works with individuals and couples to enhance their relationships and build stronger more intimate connections.
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