8 Great Holiday Date Night Ideas + Gift Ideas for Guys

Need some fresh holiday date night ideas? It’s easy to let the busyness of the holiday season get in the way of romance! But don’t let it happen. Nope! Bob and I feel like the busier things are, the more we need time together! Do you feel that way too?

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving with your loved ones! Even with all that is going on in our world, we have so many blessings! For me, pausing to count my blessings is always refreshing and precious! Do you feel that way too?

If you haven’t already done so, I want to encourage you to check out Tuesday’s post. I shared ten things I’m grateful for, and talked a little bit about the future of Empty Nest Blessed.

Also, be sure you don’t miss our round-up of the BEST Black Friday Week Sales! We’ve completely updated that post, and it’s the fastest, most efficient way for you to see all of the brands with sales in one convenient spot. The deals really are amazing this year! We want to help you make your money go further and your time too! So, we did the work for you and put all the BEST sales in one spot. The Black Friday sales are ON, and I hate to tell you, but if you snooze, you lose. (Money, that is!)

Bob and I couldn’t believe this amazing sports coat from UNTUCKit for under $250! The quality is incredible!

UNTUCKit Italian Wool Windsteig Sport Coat (Gorgeous quality and 25% off right now!) | Ivory Dress Shirt | Chinos

Now, let’s talk holiday dating, shall we? The truth is, the beauty of the holiday season lends itself perfectly to romance and making memories!

As always, click the pink text links or any image for more information. 

Holiday Date Night Ideas

Bob and I put our heads together for today’s post and came up with some fresh and festive holiday date night ideas to share with you. We’ve already done some of these, and we’re going to make an effort to do the rest! Relationships take nurturing, and although it can be challenging to carve out the time, we find that slowing down and spending time together is always a great investment in our marriage.

Holiday Date Night Idea #1: Bed Picnic & Holiday Movie

Bob and I have a bed picnic and a movie date every single weekend, year-round! We started it when our kids were young, and we couldn’t always afford a sitter! We would put them to bed early, spread a giant flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth on our bed, eat pizza, and watch a movie!

Holiday Date Night Idea #2: Late Night Starbucks Run

Somehow, our favorite dates are always those we could never have done with kids at home! It reminds us of the freedom of the empty nest, which is one of our favorite things about life as empty nesters! Jump in the car and head to your nearest Starbucks for a yummy hot drink that won’t keep you awake! This time of year, they have everything from Peppermint Hot Chocolate to juice-based Caramel Apple Spice. Park somewhere with a pretty view and enjoy the quiet.

Holiday Date Night Idea #3: Jammie Up and Look at Lights

Snag some inexpensive new holiday pajamas, and jump in the car for a tour through the best lights in your city. (These are just $30, and since they’re Buffalo plaid, they won’t seem too Christmassy to wear in January!)

This Merino Wood Quarter Zip Sweater is also from UNTUCKit and comes in several colors. It’s totally gorgeous, and I can’t believe the price! (Especially at 25% off right now!)

UNTUCKit Twill Merino Wool Quarter-Zip Sweater (25% off) | White Tee | Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Trouser

Holiday Date Night Idea #4: Stroll the Mall

Head to your local mall and stroll around and take in all of the decorations. Talk about your best and worst holiday memories as kids, and play “Remember When.” “Remember when we stayed up way too late on Christmas Eve because we waited until the last minute to assemble the bike/Barbie dream house/foosball table/trampoline?” 😂 You’ll be laughing in no time!

Holiday Date Night Idea #5: Spot the Station + Stargazing

Bob and I do this one all the time, too! It involves a tiny bit of advanced prep. Head to SpottheStation.nasa.gov to track the comings and goings of the International Space Station. It’s visible to the naked eye, and you can see it from thousands of locations worldwide. Since it’s the third brightest object in the sky, it’s not hard to see! You’ll know you’ve seen it because it looks like a fast-moving plane, only traveling thousands of miles an hour faster (and a lot higher in the sky)!

Consider signing up for email alerts so you’ll know when it’s visible in your area.

Spread a waterproof outdoor blanket out on the grass in the backyard. Put on your coziest pajamas. (Clearly, Bob and I are into anything that we can do in cozy pajamas!) Bundle up additionally as needed. Grab some extra blankets as needed and head out to the backyard. Lay flat on your back and check out the stars while you watch for the Space Station!

Holiday Date Night Idea #6: Bless Others

Every year, Walmart and the Salvation Army join forces to bless over 2.6 million needy children with their Angel Tree program. You can shop for a child right from your own city! Head out to your nearest Walmart to shop, or do it right online!

Holiday Date Night Idea #7: Dinner by Candlelight Christmas Lights

Get dressed up. Spread a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth on the ground in front of the fire and order your favorite meal for delivery. Turn off all the lights except the tree lights. Take turns answering THESE (clean) Couples Tabletopics questions. (Great gift idea!)

Holiday Date Night Idea #8: Gimme S’more

Get a fire going outside if you live somewhere that you can do that. If not, get one going in the fireplace or try this indoor electric s’mores maker. (Another great gift idea.) Make each other’s s’mores!

Everything You Need for Great Holiday Dates

What are your favorite holiday date night ideas? I’d love to know! Leave me a comment and share, okay?

Great Gift Ideas for Guys

The collage above is clickable for more information on anything you see.

Guys can be tough to buy for! Right? I’ve got 100 suggestions for you in my Gifts For Him Gift Guide, plus even more ideas for younger men in my Gifts for Teens and Gifts for Young Adults gift guides, too! I get my ideas from Bob, my two sons, my teenage and college student nephews, and my assistant Beth, as well as just browsing the web. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Got a Grill Master? Try these cool Kabob Grilling Baskets. There’s no need to use a skewer, and the basket design makes for easy flipping. Another fun idea for your favorite griller is this Monogrammed Forged Steak Brand.
• Pizza Lover? How about splurging on this pizza oven (from my Gifts for the Home Holiday Gift Guide)? Don’t want to spend that much? Try this one if your guy is a griller or this countertop one from my Gifts for Young Adults Gift Guide.
• Golfer? This Rangefinder Set is a gift that will blow him away. A personalized golf ball gift set is a gift he will treasure. This set includes a dozen personalized golf balls in a personalized display case with a dozen tees and pencils. 
• Tech Guru? He’ll love this good-looking wireless charging station.
• Fitness Fiend? An Oura Ring will help him keep track of his physical activity and his sleep.
• Road Tripper? This monogrammed leather weekender is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s half the price of THIS similar one at Mark & Graham. If he doesn’t need something that sturdy, consider THIS lightweight convertible weekender that Bob loves. (See THIS Instagram post, and be sure to follow me there!)
• Active Alumni? College Football Fan? You can’t go wrong with Peter Milar’s collegiate apparel line.
• Fantastic Fisherman? The fishermen in my family swear by this durable travel organizer and case for all of their rods & reels.

I’ve shared my entire Gift Guide for Him for you at the bottom of this post. Don’t forget to check the other gift guides for more ideas! Click through on any item for pricing info (It may be on sale!) or more information.