As the nights draw in and the days get colder, its more important than ever to find warmth in spending quality time with loved ones. Here are ten winter date ideas to brighten your December days! None of these ideas have to be romantic – they’re just as fun with friends and family too!
- Christmas Markets
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Wander your local Christmas market, a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate in hand. Explore the stalls, admire the beautiful lights, try all the cheese samples, and even pick up some Christmas gifts! If you’re in Bristol, there is a market in Cabot, but I would recommend getting the train to Bath Christmas Market for a more impressive selection of stalls.
- Gingerbread houses
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Gingerbread house kits are available from supermarkets or, if you want to channel your inner Bake-Off contestant, you could make your own from scratch! Get creative and have fun with decorating.
- ice-skating
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Whirl around your local ice rink for the perfect winter day out! Check out Bath on Ice for a fun and festive ice rink nearby.
- winter crafts
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Try your hand at some winter crafts. A simple but beautifully effective option is cutting out paper snowflakes for decorating windows. Another classic idea is a dried orange and cinnamon garland, which will not only look lovely but also scent your home. You can DIY it yourself or kits are available online. If you’re feeling extra creative, cut out and sew some charity shop fabric into tree ornaments – star or heart shapes work well. You could also DIY some holiday cards; your loved ones will appreciate the thoughtfulness and personal touch.
- baking
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Bake some warm cookies or cake to combat the cold nights drawing in. If you want to get festive, try making mince pies, a yule log, or lebkuchen! Try flavors like cinnamon, apple and dark chocolate for the wintery feel.
- Board game night
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Bring out your competitive side with a board game evening. There are plenty in local charity shops for a good price if you don’t already have some favourites at home. You can also turn it into an evening out by going to your local board game café/bar – try Chance & Counters which has locations on both the Christmas Steps and Gloucester Road.
- Cozy films and hot chocolate
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What’s more perfect for a chilly evening than a movie and hot chocolate? Cosy up with a blanket and watch your favourite Christmas or wintery movie. Love Actually, The Holiday, and It’s a Wonderful Life are classics. Or if you want a movie with a winter feel but not an overdone Christmas theme, then try Anastasia, The Grand Budapest Hotel, or Little Women.
- Wine and charcuterie board night
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If you fancy a classier evening, try a wine and charcuterie board night. Pick up your favourite bottle, a selection of cheeses, crackers, and then some cold meats, fruits, nuts, or olives – depending on your taste.
- Stargazing
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Clear winter nights are the perfect time for stargazing. Visibility is lower in the city but still your eyes can adjust enough to catch some of the beauty of the night sky. There are numerous stargazing apps that can help you identify constellations. Royal Museums Greenwich has an astronomy monthly calendar so you can see if there any exciting celestial events coming up!
- museum or gallery outing
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For a daytime date when you want to stay out of the cold, explore your local museums to discover what hidden treasures you walk past every day! Visit Bristol Museum & Art Gallery for free to discover some beautiful art and a great natural history section. The RWA is also a few minutes away and free to students, if you want to see more niche exhibitions.
Enjoy these ideas and let us know if you have any winter or holiday season activities you’d recommend!