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10 SLO Winter Date Ideas

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Cal Poly chapter.

Baby, it’s cold outside. Okay, we live in San Luis Obispo, so it’s really not that cold. But technically, it’s winter and therefore tis the season to cuddle and find ways to stay warm. Here’s a few cute date ideas to try this winter.                  

Make a Blanket Fort

Remember making blanket forts when you were a kid? Bring back those good old days by building a giant, cozy one in your bedroom or living room. Keep the childhood fun, but add some romance by stringing up lights, setting up candles, and playing music or putting on a movie. Add extra blankets and pillows to create an optimal snuggle environment

Leave Notes for Strangers

Go to your local bookstore and slip notes between the pages of your favorite books. They could be random sketches, quotes or well-wishes, or specific messages meant for the future readers of your favorites books.  Alternatively, find a crowded parking lot and wander around, sticking nice notes on unsuspecting cars. Who knows, you could just make someone’s day.

Brew Hot Cocoa

Make your own cocoa from scratch. Add your own unique twist by adding dash of cayenne, or flavors like peppermint, almond or vanilla.

Draw Chalk Murals

Under the veil of nighttime, visit a residential area and bring an array of colored chalks with you.   Let your inner-child free and go wild drawing funny or elaborate murals on people’s driveways.

Make Candles

Not only is it fun, but it’s useful too! Everyone could use another candle or two. They’re easy to make not very expensive, they smell delicious and make great gifts.

Shop

Now I don’t mean shop-shop— a date is no time to peruse the oversize sweater department, no matter how desperately you “need” another one. I’m talking about going to a clothing store and seeking out the most horrid, ugly and outrageous clothes, hats, shoes and accessories, trying them on and laughing uncontrollably. It’s a competition: whoever creates the most ridiculous outfit, wins. Photo evidence is required.

Make a Mixed Tape

It may be a little cheesy, but it’s definitely not outdated. Make your partner a mixed tape, stick it in the car, and drive. You don’t need a destination, just drive until the CD ends.

Stargaze

Recipe for deep conversations: Bundle up and drive to a quiet, empty place with little light pollution. Roll out blankets, pillows and maybe even a midnight picnic. Lie down, stare at the stars and let personal stories and secret-telling ensue.

Watch Movies On Mute

Movie-watching is an easy go-to date night for most people. Shake things up a bit by putting the film on mute and making up your own dialogue for the characters—the funnier, the better. What beats laughing and eating popcorn all night?

Book Exchange

Words connect us, so get closer to your partner by sharing your favorite novel, short story or poem with them. Have a book exchange, give each other some time to read and process, then intelligently discuss or frantically fangirl over the literature together. You’ll both get a better idea of what resonates with the other.

I'm Frances. I'm 19 and am currently studying anthropology and geography at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. My ultimate passion is travel but I also love to eat, cook, read, and write. I hope to join the Peace Corps in a few years and make a tiny difference in the world.
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Aja Frost

Cal Poly

Aja Frost is a college junior living in San Luis Obispo, California. She is equally addicted to good books and froyo, and considers the combo of the two the best since pb & b (peanut butter and banana.) Aja has been published on the Huffington Post, USA Today College, Newsweek, The Daily Muse, xoJane, and Bustle, among other publications. Follow her on Twitter: @ajavuu