“Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”
Those lyrics make you want to snuggle under a warm blanket with your sweetheart and enjoy the warmth of one another’s bodies while you enjoy inspirational conversations and dream about your future as I said in my blog, The ABCs of Marital Gratitude.
While that scenario is tempting during those frigid winter days, I’ve come up with seven other winter ideas that will help keep the flames burning. So, ditch the blanket, turn off the Netflix, and sideline the microwave popcorn for some of these Date Your Mate adventures!
1. Go Ice Skating
Whether you prefer indoors or outdoors, are beginners or pros, or are coordinated or uncoordinated, ice skating is a unique date that will give you lots of laughs and memories. If you really want a different experience, look for the ice skating trails which are becoming increasingly popular. Either in the rink or on a trail ice skating is a great date.
2. Couples PaintNite!
We’ve hosted several of these where couples paint side-by-side and they are so much fun! The night usually starts with a lot of apprehension because the couples lack the creative vibe. But with step-by-step direction from a talented artist, you can Date Your Mate on the canvas and create a masterpiece.
3. Rent a Cabin with Other Couples
Take double dating to the next level with a weekend couple outing. We did this several years ago with 5 other couples. From the cabin rental to traveling together in our rented van, to the planned meals by the ladies, to the talent show by the men that included presenting roses to their wives, we thoroughly enjoyed the weekend! It takes a little planning but remains one of our favorite group dates.
4. National Park Hiking
Hiking was never on our dating list until we moved to Georgia and got inspired by our youngest son, Aaron. We’ve been on two overlook hikes which took us to the top of the mountain in time to see the sunset. It was a beautiful sight to see and well worth the climb. Give yourself plenty of time, take rest stops, and lots of pictures for a great dating adventure.
5. Take a Train Ride
Open-air rides, wine, and dinner mystery rides, or lounging in either the fancy cars or cozy rooms on Amtrak are ways to date your mate on the railways. Couples can choose a 1-hour, half-day, evening, or overnight train ride to enjoy the outdoor scenery, a themed dinner party, or romance while in motion. Romance on wheels.
6. Weekend Couples Advance
Every couple needs time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Times to reconnect and refresh are absolutely necessary to keep growing together and experience the fulfillment that God intended in our marriages. And that’s exactly what we had in mind when planning The Oneness Experience Weekend in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We hope you’ll join us in February 2023! Click here for all the details.
7. Shake Your Groove Thang!
From Salsa to Merengue to Chicago Steppin, dancing with your mate has all the ingredients for a great date night that can be repeated, over and over again! Whether you take online lessons or go to a studio, you will be speaking your mate’s love language of physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time, so don’t worry about having two left feet. Try different types of genres until you find the one you both like and then shake your groove thang as you dance the night away.
So, venture out this winter and choose from this list of fun, active, creative, adventurous, and romantic ideas. No matter what you and your mate desire, be sure to keep the flames burning and get a head start with these winter ideas for dating your mate!
Join us in 2023 for The Oneness Experience Weekend. This 3-day, 2-night all-inclusive romantic weekend in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina will give you and your spouse an opportunity to get away from the daily distractions of life for a time of refreshing, reconnecting, and recommitting to your marriage covenant!
Feb 17 – 19, 2023 at the Ridgecrest Conference Center, near Asheville, NC, USA (Save $50 with full registration by December 15, 2022).