Dates for the holidays with your special someone

Photo Illustration by Kylee Weber

The holidays are just around the corner and if you have that special someone in your life, there are a bunch of dates you can create without putting a dent in your bank account. The holidays for people in a relationship is not about the gifts, or how expensive the date is. Ultimately it is the thought you put behind that date that matters to your significant other. 

Here are some inexpensive date ideas you can do with your honey this holiday season: 

1. Matching PJ’s: 

Almost any clothing store you go to will have a set of pajamas that you and your special someone can wear. I personally enjoy Target’s display of family pajamas. Once you surprise your honey with those pajamas, get yourself comfy, lay in bed and turn on some holiday films. You would be surprised how nice it is to not have to go out and look nice. Staying at home with your honey will allow some quality time and even some cuddle time. ;) 

2. Build a Gingerbread House: 

Building gingerbread house is an old tradition we have done growing up. Building a house with someone you love can be exciting, it allows some quiet time and laughter. This doesn't take a lot of creativity either, it could turn out looking terrible and worst case is you and your honey can eat it! You can find your basic gingerbread house kits at Walmart and set aside a time to enjoy some sweets! 

3. Ice Skating: 

Depending on where you live, you can find an ice skating rink. Obviously these are very popular around the holidays but you would be surprised how much fun you can have. My boyfriend surprised me a couple winter’s back with this date and I was beyond nervous about falling on my butt in front of a bunch of people. However, there are a bunch of couples going to do the same thing you are so no one really pays attention. You get to dress warm and cozy and enjoy gliding on the ice with your special someone. 

4. Go look at christmas lights: 

Take a night after dinner and get in the car and just go for a cruise. Create a playlist that makes you think about your significant other and you can listen to that while you look at lights. Many places have christmas light shows where you can tune in on the radio and watch. This very rarely costs anything (besides gas). This gets you and your honey in the holiday mood and you get a funny mini road trip out of this. If you are in Kansas for your holiday season they have created an ultimate christmas lightshow map. Look it up online and use this as a backup if you are unsure where some light shows are. 

5. Play in the Snow: 

We all know Kansas weather is very unpredictable, so keep this idea in your back pocket the next time Kansas surprises us with a snow day. Get some warm clothes on and go play outside with your significant other. You can have a snowball fight, build a snowman, make snow angels, and a bunch of other activities that can make you keep busy outside. Once you are done playing in the snow, go inside and enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate and sit next to the fire. 

6. Decorate a christmas tree: 

Buy a little four foot tree that you and your honey can call yours. Each of you get to pick out 10 ornaments that make you happy or describe your relationship together. This can be very simple and keep you laughing through the stressful holidays. Decorating this tree can resemble all the fun and laughter in your relationship. For each holiday season after this one you and your honey can decorate this tree together and add a couple new ornaments each year, sooner or later you’ll be able to fill up a 12 foot tree with all the ornaments you have.

This holiday season consider not giving each other gifts, instead have more experiences together. There are multiple activities you and your honey can do during this cold winter to keep ourselves busy and warm. Over winter break try out some of these ideas, and if it's a bust then you have something to laugh about. Overall, your significant other can go without an extra sweatshirt or cologne, but they will never be able to replace the memories they had with you during this holiday season.