12 Romantic Christmas Date Ideas Sweeter Than Sugarplums

The magic of Christmas is the perfect setting for a bit of holiday romance. Whether you've celebrated many Christmases together or you're just hoping to get to know someone better, some clever Christmas date ideas may be on your wishlist. For date nights in or out, these ideas will help you unwrap a bit of holiday romance this Christmas.

Baking Christmas cookies isn't a new idea for a Christmas date night in. But you can add a few fun twists to make the occasion more exciting for you and your sweetheart. 

• Mix up Christmas cocktails or mocktails to add to the festive fun.
• Take dance breaks to classic Christmas songs.
• Snuggle up to enjoy your cookies with a cozy Christmas movie.

If you have snow around Christmas, you have the perfect setting for a romantic Christmas date. It might be messy and a bit cold, but sledding is an opportunity to hold each other close and share a lot of laughs.

If you're still getting to know someone and you prefer a group setting, Christmas caroling is a wonderful way to spend some time together. Get a group together and visit a neighborhood, a nursing home, or your family to sing a few Christmas carols.

Christmas shopping together is a fun date on its own. But when you're doing it for a good cause, the time you spend together matters that much more.

• Shop for a local soup kitchen or food bank so they are stocked for the holidays.
• Shop together for the Angel Tree program and make a child's Christmas special. 
• Set out to find affordable coats you can donate to local shelters.
• Shop for Operation Christmas Child.

You could snuggle up and watch A Christmas Carol, or you could get dressed up and go see a live performance. Many local theaters include a Christmas or winter-themed show in their yearly lineup, and it's a romantic way to experience local talent and support your community.

Christmas decorations amplify the magic (and the romance) of the holiday. Plan an evening to walk or drive around checking out local displays. You might tour your own neighborhood on a stroll or hit up all the local spots in your town famous for their stunning decorations.

Wrapping gifts may not be fun for everyone, and it might sound like such a simple idea. But if you're still getting to know someone, helping them wrap gifts for loved ones will inspire many conversations about their family and friends. Grab your gifts, fun wrapping paper, and plenty of tape for a relaxing evening of discovering new things about one another.

Watching Christmas movies together is a fun date option, but this idea kicks things up a bit. If you share a love for the same Christmas movie, plan your date around it. You might run through revolving doors like Buddy from Elf, cut down a Christmas tree Christmas Vacation style, or recreate date scenes from The Holiday. 

If you and your sweetheart love coffee but hate going out just to get your favorite holiday brew, learn to make them at home. Gather your ingredients and spend an afternoon learning how to make Christmas coffees from your favorite shops. Once you get a chance to sit down and sip, talk about some of your favorite holiday traditions. 

Ice skating is a classic winter date idea, but you can add a few fun twists to make it extra special for Christmas.

• Dress up as your favorite Christmas movie characters and skate to the surprise of others.
• Act as if you don't yet know one another, and your eyes meet for the first time across the rink.
• Dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus and hand out candy to other skaters.
• Wear Christmas lights around yourselves so you're easy to spot anytime.

Christmas markets are full of holiday cheer, plenty to see, and opportunities to enjoy local goodies. Take a stroll as an early morning date, or check out a Christmas market after having a romantic holiday brunch.

Getting crafty together is a chance to chat and learn something new. Make your craft a Christmas keepsake, and the romance of the activity instantly increases. 

• Make homemade Christmas ornaments.
• Take a Christmas painting course together.
• Write your own Christmas song.
• Make Christmas mugs at a local pottery studio.
• Knit your own stockings.

Valentine's Day is 24 hours dedicated to love, but Christmas can be an entire season of celebrating romance. The magic of the season, the coziness of cold weather, and all the Christmas cheer make a sweet setting for all your romantic holiday moments.