Well guys it’s officially December. The Christmas Season is upon us. But of course it’s 2020 so this Holiday Season will be like none other. But that’s no excuse to not make the most of this season with your loved ones. It just may look a little different. So I’ve come up with some pandemic holiday date ideas that you can do with your partner to help make Christmas special while still staying safe!
Related: Date Ideas During a Pandemic
Table of Contents
6 Pandemic Holiday Date Ideas at Home
ONE || Decorate Together
This is something I look forward to all year. Usually we wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to put up our Christmas decorations, but this year we did it at the beginning of November. I figured all the rules are out the window in 2020.
Anyway, Pearson and I always make a full date of it. We make hot chocolate, turn on some Christmas music, pull out the bins full of Christmas spirit and get busy! And none of that needs to change this year even during a Pandemic!
TWO || Watch a Christmas movie (or have a marathon)
Another tradition that doesn’t have to change this year is watching Christmas movies and specials at home! Seasonal movies are one of my favorite things about this time of year. With all the streaming platforms out there, you can find plenty of festive flicks you both can enjoy!
Here is a list of my favorite Christmas movies and specials. I wrote it 6 years ago so I should probably update it. Maybe I’ll make a new list this year that includes movies on streaming platforms that didn’t even exist back then. And by the way, the above list does not include Hallmark type movies. These are the classics!
EDIT: I wrote that new list right here -> The Best Holiday Movies You Can Stream For Date Night
THREE || Bake and Decorate Cookies
Making and decorating cookies is one of my favorite holiday traditions! My mother-in-law gave me her homemade lemon sugar cookie and icing recipes a few years ago and they are divine.
I love sitting down with Pearson, cutting out the cookies, and then decorating them after they’re done baking. It always turns into a session of goofing off and laughing at each others creations. Plus, a lot of the cookie dough gets eaten before it even goes in the oven!
Related: Baking & Decorating Cookies – Project Date Your Husband
FOUR || Shop (online) for Gifts Together
Holiday shopping is always a big part of this season. I always enjoy shopping with Pearson for other people. We make a date out of it. We will eat a meal and then walk around a mall or shopping area and sometimes we will end the day with a movie.
Well, that kind of date is not a great idea this year. But we can still make Christmas shopping into a fun date! Get cozy in your favorite Christmas pajamas. Cuddle up on the couch or in bed with your laptops and a warm drink. Play some Christmas music and shop till you drop!
FIVE || Build a Fort in the Living Room
This is something Pearson and I love to do any time of year. Who cares that we’re 30? Blanket/pillow forts are still cool! Or if you’re not crazy about building an actual fort, pitch a tent in your living room. Who says you have to be outside for a camp out? Or if nothing else, sleep on an inflatable mattress in the living room.
A change of scenery for the night is always fun. Especially during this pandemic when we haven’t traveled as much as we would like. Pearson’s family always had a tradition growing up where the kids would sleep in the living room by the tree on Christmas Eve Eve (not Christmas Eve because then Santa wouldn’t come). I’ve always loved that and we’ve tried to continue it every year.
SIX || Have a Game Night
This is another at-home date night that Pearson and I enjoy multiple times per year. And during this pandemic, we’ve both been playing video games more. There are some great co-op games out there that are fun to play as a couple!
So why not take this date and make it a little more festive. Add some Christmas music and hot chocolate (just like almost every other date on this list) and voila! Oh and playing board or card games among the Christmas ambiance would be great too. It doesn’t have to be video games.
Related: 10 Date Ideas for the Holiday Season
4 Pandemic Holiday Date Ideas Outside of the Home
SEVEN || Drive and/or Walk Around Looking at Lights
Another one of my favorite things to do with my husband this time of year is looking at Christmas lights. We usually grab some hot, festive beverages from our favorite coffee shop and drive around the higher end neighborhoods in our area.
But this year we actually live in a more residential are. (We moved in February to a cheaper apartment in a much better location). I’m excited to go on walks around are area looking at the lights our neighbors put up!
EIGHT || Engage in Outdoor Winter Sports
Neither Pearson nor I have ever really done any winter sports until we moved here. Since we moved to Oregon we’ve done tons of hiking in the winter as well as snowshoeing. And we love it! We’ve yet to ski or snow board but they are on our list.
Any of these outdoor sports would make for a great COVID friendly holiday date. So if you live near mountains or anywhere that you can do something active outside in the cold or snow, do it!
NINE || Go to a Drive-In Movie
I don’t know about you but movie theaters are usually a big part of my life this time of year. Whether you’re for or against seeing a movie in theaters on Christmas day, you can’t deny that some of the best films of the year come out in November and December.
Well all of that looks a bit different this year. Theaters are still closed around the country and world. Movies aren’t being released in theaters or the release dates keep getting pushed back. But there is a way to go see a movie and still stay safe! Enter: Drive-In movies!
We used to go to the drive-in all the time back when we lived in Ohio. We haven’t found a good drive-in theater here but I’ve heard that they’re starting to pop up all over during this pandemic and I’m so excited!
TEN || Go to Outdoor Celebrations
‘Tis the season for festivals and celebrations. I’m super sad that a lot of festivities are cancelled for this year. But not all of them are! Find some fun outdoor, coronavirus safe, activities to do with your partner!
Google something along the lines of “Holiday celebrations in [your city]” or “Christmas lights in [your area].” Here in the Portland area, most of what I could find is cancelled for 2020. But we still have Zoo Lights, the Winter Wonderland drive-through, and the Christmas Ship Parade. I’m sure you can find some near you too.
Related: 10 Fun Date Ideas to Try this Winter
So here’s to enjoying the holiday season with these pandemic holiday date ideas. Here’s to making this time of year special and memorable with our spouses. And here’s to not letting COVID-19 get us down!
What awesome date ideas do you have for this the holidays in 2020?
Thanks for reading!
I think we’re going to go strolling (driving) for holiday lights!
Drive in movies is something that I wouldn’t want to miss this year.
Such great ideas! Thanks for sharing 🙂
These ideas are great to have fun during holidays despite the pandemia. There are so many things we can do at home with our beloved ones. I shall definitely bake some typical German Christmas cookies and even give some as a gift to my mother-in-law and friends.
These are such cute ideas! Especially the walking around in the lights, I love doing that 😍
These are such fun ideas, I love baking together!
I’m so excited to cut my cookies in Christmas tree shapes.
This year is going to be unique…thanks for your tips x
Really good post to give us more ideas how to get times together more beautiful and memorable.
Actually these ideas are great I live alone but will surely pass it to my sister.
There’s a lot of cute ideas here. Thank you! 🙂
These are really great ideas! I love the suggestion got decorate cookies together AND game night! Thanks for your good ideas!
These are some really fabulous ideas. I think all of these would be so fun!
A holiday drive in movie is fun! I think I want to do that!