This blog post was HIGHLY recommended by y'all! Sharing some ideas for activities to do this Holiday season for couples, girls nights, and those local to the Hampton Roads area like myself!
COUPLES HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES:
Ice Skating
Going Ice Skating with your significant other is a BLAST! Especially if one of you has never been before (lol!). It can be very challenging yet still a fun way for you both to detach from the Holiday stress. Most towns have a local rink nearby during the Holiday season, or make a fun trip up to New York City to Ice Skate at Rockefeller's -- THE BEST!
AirBNB Cabin Weekend getaway
The Holidays can be overwhelming. Get away for the weekend and take a road trip to an AirBNB/cabin in the mountains just the two of you. Watch the sunset, enjoy some outdoor activities, sit by the fire with hot chocolate, or go on a hike together and enjoy a picnic at the top. If you are in Virginia, here are some ideas: Joshua Tree House, The Tiny House at Stardust Meadows, Hobbit Style Underground cabin, Dream Rock Silo, Chic Mountain Yurt, Gum Tree Lodge, and the Geodesic Dome House in Floyd.
Write each other a "open when" letter for the new year
"Open When" letters are an easy way to give a boost of support and show love to someone at the exact moment that they need it! It can be written for an anniversary, a birthday, or just when they feel they are going through a rough time. For example, if your loved one is away, you might write them a note of encouragement and label the card “Open When You Miss Me.” This is also an adorable idea if you are in a long distance relationship or you are military and your spouse is deployed.
Visit your nearby Christmas Market
Visiting a local Christmas Market is the perfect way to get in the Holiday spirit with your loved one! Each market is different, but you're sure to run into DIY festive crafts, yummy seasonal dishes and drinks, shop the local pop up vendors, and more!
Make a Gingerbread House
An oldie but goodie! Get creative with your significant other by crafting your own gingerbread house while listening to Christmas music! They sell "easy set up" kits at local grocery stores during the Holiday season! Make a signature holiday drink (peppermint mocha, hot toddy, or Christmas margarita - a blog post will be coming soon with Holiday drinks so stay tuned) and see who can craft the best house!
Classic Christmas Movie Night + gift wrapping/ homemade fondue
Nothing beats a late night Christmas movie with some gift wrapping! Put on your favorite classic (mine is the Grinch!) or the Hallmark channel and get a head start on your Christmas wrapping together! Or, make homemade fondue and enjoy some dessert treats.
Cookie Baking Marathon
Making cookies is always a good time, but doing an entire Cookie marathon is unmatchable! Plus, they make the most perfect gifts for family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Take a trip to your local grocery store and pick up the ingredients for all the classic Holiday cookies. Here are some ideas: Peanut Butter Blossoms, Gingerbread cookies, Pecan Snowballs, Italian Christmas Cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Christmas Pretzel Hug Cookies, Snickerdoodles, Hot Chocolate Cookies, and more!
Christmas Lights Road Trip OR carriage ride with Hot Chocolate
This is the time when all of our towns sparkle! You'd be amazed at all of the houses that literally go ALL OUT for Christmas decorating! Hop in the car with some hot chocolate or catch a local carriage ride and tour around your hometown, check out the lights, and tell your childhood stories. Riding old roads are sure to bring back some old memories that your significant other may not know about you.
GIRLS NIGHT ACTIVITIES
Go to an Ugly Sweater Party (OR HOST ONE!)
Ugly Sweater parties are SO MUCH FUN! Attend one or host one this Holiday season with your girls! Get a group to do Christmas karaoke, make some egg nog, and host a contest to pick who has the ugliest sweater. This is also a fun way when visiting your hometown for the Holidays to catch up with your old friends.
Here are some of my favorite Ugly Christmas Sweaters from Amazon!
Shop by tapping the one you like!
Skiing/Snowboarding trip!
Girls weekend to the mountains!!! Take a road trip this Holiday season for some skiing and snowboarding. Pack up your favorite snacks, wine, and games for the resort (bring a bathing suit too for the hot tub). If you are local to Virginia, here are some resorts in the area: Wintergreen, Massanutten, Bryce Resort, and the Omni Homestead Resort!
Wine & Cheese tasting night with Christmas Music
Host a "Wine and Cheese" tasting night for your Holiday Girls night! Have each friend bring a small cheese plate with their favorite cheeses and a wine (but hide the label!). Print off some scoresheets and have everyone vote on their favorite wine and cheese! Or, make it a Christmas Dessert Charcuterie by adding some peppermint, Christmas cookies, etc. Be sure to play some Christmas tunes in the background!
DIY Ornaments
Creating your own ornaments with your best girlfriends is the perfect way to get in the Holiday Spirit! They also make the most adorable gifts for family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Here are some suggestions I have of easy DIY Ornament kits from Amazon.
Shop by tapping the one you like!
Make Boozy Holiday Drinks
Have each person bring a holiday drink to make for the group -- maybe Holly Jolly punch, white Christmas martini, or mulled wine! Test them all and decide which is your favorite. Learn how to make each others so you can make it for your family on Christmas! After Thanksgiving I will be releasing a "Holiday Drinks" blog post for y'all! So stay tuned for that.
GAME NIGHT!
WHO DOESN'T LOVE A GOOD GAME NIGHT?! Let's make it Christmasy though! Here are some of my favorite Christmas games: Tis the Season Trivia, Dirty Santa, Friendly Feud, and Fear Pong Nice and Naughty! Grab your gals their favorite wine and have a festive game night together!
Make fireside S'mores
Start a fire out back, get bundled up, and make fireside s'mores with your girls! Or if you're wanting to stay in, make s'mores in your oven and turn on your favorite Christmas classic!
Cuddle Animals at a local shelter
Grab the girls and go visit a local animal shelter to give the dogs some loving! We all love to snuggle up the fur babies and what better chance to do it than during the Holidays with your best girlfriends. Every town has a local animal shelter nearby.
LOCAL TO 757 ACTIVITIES:
Christmas Town is my FAVORITE thing to do at Christmas time! Drew's family goes every year and it is always a blast. I actually was already able to go this year for a commercial shoot we had! They have the most extravagant lights you have ever seen (over 10 million lights!!!) as well as roller coasters and kid-friendly rides, shopping, yummy food, Holiday themed shows, and so much more. PSA: GET THE PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE!!!
Every year, Virginia Beach hosts a Christmas Market at the Virginia Beach Convention Center! This show has actually been voted #21 in the “200 Best Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows in the US." Featured artisans will offer fine arts, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood, toys, photography, and thousands of Christmas collectibles. There will also be a "Taste of Holidays" where local food vendors will have gift packages for the foodies of the town. It's an all-day weekend event from 10:00am - 6:00pm and only $8 entrance fee.
I may be biased ;) but come visit me at our 2nd Annual "Festival Of Lights" in Suffolk! Enjoy a sprinkle of holiday cheer at this 1 mile loop drive-through light display! It will be open from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at Suffolk's Sleepy Hole Park, located at 4616 Sleepy Hole Road. This event is FREE!!!!
Stop by Driver in Suffolk and snap some photos with Santa, see the beautiful lights, listen to the Christmas music, make some exciting craft, and enjoy the food vendors! They will also have a Holiday hay ride, hot cocoa, Holiday treats, and more. Make sure you make a special visit tp the Peppermint Path too! This event will be on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. Here's the address to Driver: 3156 Kings Highway Suffolk, VA 23435.
This workshop is a festive day of activities for kids! They'll be playing holiday songs while you create your own ornaments, share Christmas stories, decorate yummy cookies, create Reindeer food & a snap a photo with Santa! They have multiple dates for the workshop, and it is $25 per ticket.
Take a magical journey on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk at BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach! Drive your vehicle right on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk through holiday, nautical, and adventure-themed light displays while listening to the radio soundtrack of traditional holiday music. Guests will be required to purchase tickets in advance, selecting a date and time to go through the lights.
Million Bulb Walk at Botanical Gardens: November 12 - January 2
The Botanical Gardens is a magical place to visit during the Holidays! The route is approximately one mile long and though this is a WALKING event, it is accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility assistance devices. The route is BRAND NEW with lighting features including "The Wall of Light" highlighting the NATO Tower. Tickets are $25 for adults ($23 military) and $15 for children (ages 3-17) on the weekends OR $18 for adults ($16 military) and $12 for children (ages 3-17) if you come Monday - Thursday. If you do NOT purchase tickets in advance, there is an extra fee. You will also have to select a specific date and time that you plan to come.
7th Annual Great Hot Cocoa War: November 20 - 27
This is a week long magical contest of the hottest and chocolatiest proportions! Downtown Norfolk will rain with marshmallows of fantastical size so get your cup and choose your side. Tastings will be given in 4oz pours at $2 each. Voting will be online all week long so be sure to pick up a scorecard from any participating restaurant the week of the event.
Holiday Parade in Suffolk: December 11
Again, I may be biased ;) but come visit us at the Holiday Parade in Downtown Suffolk! The route is along Washington and Main Street in downtown Suffolk at will begin at 7:00pm. This year's theme is Home For the Holidays! Grab the family and come watch our Annual Parade. This event is FREE!!!!
Elf on the Shelf in Norfolk: November 30
Put on by Seven Venues, this musical is a beloved tradition that has captured the hearts of families everywhere and it is finally returning to the live stage at Chrysler Hall at 7:00pm! Featuring an original story, dazzling sets and costumes, and heartfelt moments that will bring the family together! Ticket costs vary depending on seat location in the theater.
Fa La La Land: December 11 & 18
Fa La La La La Land at Chesapeake City Hall is BACK! Walk around this outdoor wonderland while enjoying carolers, face paintings, baby goats in holiday sweaters, live snow globe, holiday-themed food trucks, holiday movie characters, and more! This event will be from 5:00pm - 9:00pm and it is FREE!
BTG Beats and Brews Holiday Fest: December 18
Put on by Capstan Bar Brewing Company, the legendary BTG Beats and Brews Holiday Fest in Hampton is going to be EPIC! Stop by from 2:00pm - 10:00pm at the Capstan bar (2036 Exploration Way) to enjoy some tasty drinks and good tunes! Make sure to wear an ugly Christmas sweater.
I hope this helped you decide how to get in the Holiday spirit with your significant other, family, and friends! Let me know if you tried any of them. Tag me in your stories/posts, I'd love to see. Have the BEST Holiday season y'all!
XOXO - Amber