Winter date ideas: get cosy despite the cold

So, the weather’s taken a turn for the worse. We’re swapping beaches for brollies and the skies have gone from blue to many shades of gray… At first glance this doesn’t seem an overly romantic time of year. High winds and patchy rain just don’t say swoon the way moonlit summer strolls do! But, with a little extra planning, winter can be an ideal time of year to look for love. Here to help, EliteSingles explores five of the best winter date ideas.

5 of the Best Winter Date Ideas

Keen to give you the very best start to your prospective relationship, we’re always on the lookout for the best date ideas. Looking for winter date ideas? Here are our five best:

1. Cuddle up with a coffee

An EliteSingles survey revealed that 60.5% of women and 42.5% of men would choose coffee for a first date.¹ The popularity of a coffee date makes it a great choice no matter the season, but there is something extra inviting about a warm cafe in the winter. Imagine the scene: blustery wind, the patter of rain – and you, safe indoors with a hot drink and convivial company. Pretty cosy, right? There’s an added benefit too; the feel-good factor of a cuddly coffee date can actually put you in the ideal mood for romance. In fact, an advertising study linked feelings of cosiness to happiness and even mild arousal² (in other words, perfect conditions for a date!).

2. Enjoy the thrills and spills of winter sports

It would be next to impossible to imagine a list of American winter date ideas that didn’t include at least one mention of winter sports. Whether it’s cuddling up at Ice Hockey, roaring on your favorite NBA team or catching some NFL in the run-up to the Superbowl, this is an ideal way to spend some time with your date. Why? Sharing the highs and lows of a team is a great way to bond with someone new (you just might want to check your date’s preferred team first!). Watching sport can also give people a confidence boost: it has been shown to elevate testosterone levels,³ which are great for self-assurance.⁴ And if all of that is not enough of a reason to go to a match? Don’t forget that heading to a game offers a chance to share a scoop of hot, cheesy Nachos with your date – true romance, we think!

3. Get to the beach, whatever the weather

Visiting the beach in winter may sound like a left field idea (unless you’re in Florida or California, perhaps!) but in fact it’s one of the more exhilarating outings on this list. Studies have proven that an outing to the beach can put you in a really positive frame of mind,⁵ which is great news for anyone needing to overcome their dating nerves. A beach meeting can be perfect on stormy winter day, with the wildness of the shore lending the date a certain romanticism (think giant waves and dramatic skies.). Or, if that sounds too adventurous to be appealing, then just hold tight for milder weather. Many parts of the US are lucky enough to get beach weather, even in the winter. In fact, you’ll often get all the beauty of the beach in summer but with – hopefully – less sunburn. Perfect.

READ MORE: Test your connection with a prospective partner with these First Date Questions

4. Try some winter wine tasting

The Roman poet Ovid said ‘’wine and love have ever been allies.’’ ⁶ Several thousand years later this sentiment still holds true: wine does seem to be a drink (perhaps the drink) that people associate with romance. What’s more, wineries offer tastings whatever the weather, making them a popular year round destination. Tastings are also especially romantic in the colder months – not only are the crowds smaller, you’ll get all the cosiness of a coffee date but with added wine! After all, winter date ideas don’t get much better than those involving you, your someone special, a roaring fire and a couple of large glasses of rich, red wine. (EliteSingles does of course encourage responsible drinking!)

5. Make a date for a mini break

Although perhaps not the best idea for the first date, a mini break is a wonderful idea for those wanting to take their relationship up a level and this is a great time of year to take one. Indeed, many of the country’s most popular tourist spots are much less crowded in the winter, giving you and your new partner ample time to be alone together. This is also the season to explore more wintery break options if you don’t mind a few people around. If you are craving a traditional winter wonderland then it is the ideal time to go skiing. Spending the day on the slopes and the night in a hot pool or Jacuzzi means receiving the benefits of many of the points on this list; not only will the outdoor activity boost happiness-giving endorphins,⁷ the pool dip afterwards will definitely add some glamour and relaxation.

From exhilarating, mood-boosting, outdoor adventures to indoor meetings that can create no end of cosiness, the wintertime is full of romantic winter date ideas. It is simply a matter of getting out there and finding them!

READ MORE: Need a good film to cosy up in front of? Read our latest survey on America’s 10 Favorite Rom-Coms

Ready to fight the cold with a hot date? Join EliteSingles today.

About the author: Sophie Watson

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