Keeping the romance in the Holiday's. 25 Out of the Ordinary and Creative Date Ideas:
During this hectic time of year, we so often forget to stop and take time out to enjoy it. Between shopping for that perfect gift, the stress of added financial pressure and additional social obligations, it's easy to kick the one that we lean on most to the side and get “wrapped”‘ in the holiday hype.
STOP… STOP… STOP… time to take a breath and take a minute to enjoy the one we count on the most and make memory that will last a lifetime. Here's a few ideas for both young and the young at heart to kick start some romance into your holiday season.
Take a Holiday Cooking Class:
Sur La Table in Gateway Mall offers cooking classes. There's one called “Date Night Surf & Turf coming 12/14!
Taste Culenary Boutique in Gardner Village has several cooking classes
Mt. Fuji Sushi offers a Sushi making class every Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. Please be sure to call ahead.
Orson Gygi offers cooking classes
Harmons offers some beautiful cooking classes
Park City Cooking School offers various classes
Take a Holiday Drive:
Sleigh and Dine – Sundance: Enjoy a sleigh ride and afterwards warm up inside with a tasty meal at the Homestead Resort. During the week of Christmas enjoy a western holiday buffet.
Carriage Rides for Hire – Salt Lake: Pack some hot cocoa and cookies and enjoy a Christmas Light tour of Downtown Salt Lake.
Heber Valley Railroad – Offers various train tours.
Jingle Bus – Through December 28, holiday season visitors to downtown can hop-on and off the holiday themed ride circulating between The Gateway, Temple Square, Gallivan Plaza & City Creek Center. It's free.
Go see the Christmas Lights
Here's our list of Christmas Light Displays.
One of our favorites is to stop by Winder Dairy. Monday through Saturday until 9 pm you can drive down the Winder Lane then stop at the Country Store for Scones and Hot Cocoa. I always pick up a tub of Honey Butter when I'm there. YUM!
(photo credit Castle of Chaos Facebook)
Take Ghostly Tour
Castle of Chaos: Has a A Chaos Christmas charity fundraiser, December 14th-15th. Proceeds will go to local charities; canned good and toiletry donations welcome too. You can get discounted tickets through Living Social right now for $9. Use code ELLEN to get the lower price.
Grimm Ghost Tours Salt Lake City: Learn about some of the traditions of Christmas in the Old World such as Zwarte Piet, Krampus, Perchta, and the legend of the Real St. Nick. Hear some spooky ghost stories, visit haunted places and experience Christmas as it is in the Old World only on the Grimm Christmas Tour.
Park City Ghost Tours: This highly reviewed tour is open year round. Reservations are required call 435-615-7613 for information and pricing.
Get a Couples Massage:
It is the ultimate pampering. Hubs and I have been lucky enough to do this a few times. I can easily recommend The Sanctuary Spa in Fashion Place Mall. It's a beautiful clean spa. The couples room is first rate.
(photo credit: MoviesOfMyself)
Make a Keepsake:
Color Me Mine: Color Me Mine is stocked with ceramic Christmas Ornaments. Choose the ceramic of your choice, paint it and they'll fire it for you.
NOTE: Color Me Mine offers a 20% off printable coupon to registered Utah Happenings Entertainment book holders.
Holiday Productions:
There are MANY to choose from. Check your local theater for the current line up. Here's a few that caught my eye.
The Egyptian Theater, Park City Presents a Christmas Elvis Tribute (12/14 – 12/16) – Tickets start at $30
Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City, Donny & Marie Christmas show, December 26 – 29, 2012! – Tickets start at $25
Off Broadway Theater – Salt lake City, has comical production of Off White Christmas, through 12/28
Desert Star Playhouse – Murray, presents My Big Fat Utah Christmas, Almost sold out!
Tuacahn Theater – St. George, presents, Plaid Tidings
Hale Theater, West Valley City presents A Christmas Carol
Covey Center for the Arts, Provo presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Holiday party
Ziegfield Theater, Ogden presents A White Christmas
Empress Theatre, Magna presents The Christmas Box
*FREE* Echoes Of Christmas – Liberty Park This free production is presented each evening from 7-9 pm. Shepherds lead you on a guided journey of a realistic account of their perspective of the birth of Christ. You will hear inspiring music and see live animals.
Take a Romantic Getaway:
Homestead Resort Garden Room + 10% Off Spa & Restaurants $89 via City Deals
Armstrong Mansion, Pay $50 for a $100 certificate via Deal Pickle. Named one of Utah’s “Most Romantic Bed and Breakfast Hotels” This certificate comes customized with your greeting and would also make a nice gift.
Give Back:
Volunteer at The Utah Food Bank, The Salt Lake City Mission or your local pantry or soup kitchen together.
Go shopping for a Sub For SantaToy together and drop it off.
Toys For Tots Drop of locations here
ABC4.com drop of locations here
KUTV Angel Tree information here
Get Active:
Go Bowling: Keep watch on Groupon, Living Social and Amazon Locals for Bowling deals. We see them often. There are several 2 for 1 coupons in the Utah Entertainment Happenings Book.
Go Sledding in the dark: (you're never too old!) – Visit Enjoy Utah post here for a list of sledding areas.
Go Ice Skating: Note there are several 2 for 1 Ice Skating coupons in the Utah Entertainment Happenings book.
Build His & Hers Snow People: Then start a snowball fight – Snow providing.
Go Work Out: Most Gyms have free trial offers for the holidays.
(photo credit and instructions SimplyRecipes.com)
Stay Home Date Ideas:
Build a Gingerbread House together by candlelight. This is a great one for those with Elves on the Shelf, you'll kill two birds with one stone.
Play a Board Game or Cards together. Make it fun and add a side bet, maybe the winner gets a 10 minute foot massage.
Picnic in the Living Room – Light up the tree and grab your favorite old movie and set up a picnic dinner on the floor. Netflix has a ton of them that you can stream anytime.
Have a date morning instead of a date night. Fix some coffee and head outside together to watch the sunrise.
Enjoy a bubble bath together. If you have one, set up a small Christmas tree in and set the mood with holiday music. Relax and enjoy the company of your spouse.
Create your own Couples Massage: Spice it up with a romantic playlist on your iPod, then each of you wear headsets.
So, whatcha waiting for? Drop the kids of at Grandmas this weekend or, set up a date night baby sitting swap with a sibling or friend and put some romantic fun in the Holidays.
What's your favorite Date Night idea?
Nicole Westmoreland says
December 12, 2012 at 5:28 pmWish I would have READ this YEARS AGO!!! LOL…having 4 kids kind of makes you put yourself on the back burner ;(
sandra ogzewalla says
December 12, 2012 at 8:40 amThx for helping a soccer, band, piano, taxi driving mom of 5 SAVE SAVE SAVE
Sunny T says
December 12, 2012 at 12:06 amSave
Brittany says
December 11, 2012 at 11:10 pmThe Homestead deal looks like a great way to save money when we are doing our scuba certification at the crater. Thanks for the info!
Ryan says
December 11, 2012 at 10:53 pmWe “save” on date nights by swapping babysitting with friends!
Josette says
December 11, 2012 at 5:54 pmthis would help me SAVE on my food bill
Jet says
December 11, 2012 at 5:08 pmThese ideas will “save” me from getting lost in the hassle of Christmas and help me remember to “save” time for those I love. Thanks!
Autumn says
December 11, 2012 at 4:26 pmI like to SAVE money using coupons4utah!
Shelley says
December 11, 2012 at 3:43 pmAwesome to know there are so many things to do and I can save money at the same time!
Teresa Carr says
December 11, 2012 at 3:40 pmThanks for the ideas to SAVE money.
Rachelle says
December 11, 2012 at 3:15 pmI think these ideas are great and a great way to “save” during the holidays but have fun
Jaime says
December 11, 2012 at 2:13 pm“save” what an awesome list thanks!!!
Mel says
December 11, 2012 at 2:08 pmI hope you make a post about singles option as well. 🙂
bunged says
December 11, 2012 at 1:15 pmThanks so much for all your weekend, date night, holiday event, etc guides! I always look at your website for local events!
Amanda says
December 11, 2012 at 1:06 pmLove all these ideas of how to “save” money for dates…I love dating my hubby!
Jen says
December 11, 2012 at 12:01 pmI will save the sledding hills in Utah post for a snowy day!
lindsey winn says
December 11, 2012 at 11:58 amLove all these ideas. They help me “save” money for more important things.
Ashley says
December 11, 2012 at 10:57 amI love to save money on date nights!