Some of these are even suitable for the whole family so if babysitters are difficult to come by this one might be helpful to you.
Planning a date night may bring you more stress than joy at the best of times.
The logistic and financial stress can leave you with a bit of a headache (and that’s before you’ve even had the one “fancy gin” you promised yourself).
Using the seasons and festive times of year as inspiration can make things a little bit less painful. Quite often we put a huge amount of pressure on ourselves to plan the perfect date night and more often than not the stress overshadows the fun.
Now that Christmas is in the air (it is, sorry) we’ve come up with some wonderful Christmas themed date night ideas. Some of them are even suitable for the whole family so if babysitters are difficult to come by this one might be helpful to you.
1. Wild Lights At Dublin Zoo
Tickets are being snapped up for this beautiful event. You just can’t unsee it once social media has given you a little snippet. Beautiful colourful displays that children and adults can enjoy. It’ll cost you a few bob but we promise it’s completely worth it. Wrap up warm and enjoy something really different with the kids on a winter’s evening. Get tickets here.
2. Pizza And Panto
No matter where you are in Ireland there will be a Panto not too far from your front door. We just love a good Panto here. It’s corny, it’s loud, it’s bright and it’s an opportunity to stuff your face with goodies while the kids are totally mesmerised. Why not make Pizza and Panto a little family tradition? Milanos do some great offers on their www.milanosoffers.ie website – highly recommend!
3. Hot Chocolate And Looking At “The Lights”
Wherever you might be living there will be a town with Christmas lights not a million miles away. How simple to grab a hot chocolate with the kids and have a stroll around admiring the light displays. It can be a fancy Butlers or a hot chocolate from the machine in the petrol station – the kids will remember it forever.
4. A Trip To The Cinema For A Festive Flick
There is always some kind of comedy or rom-com that comes out around this time of year. Anything that is funny and gives you the Christmas fuzzies is going to be pretty romantic overall. It’s also my kind of date night because talking is optional and when you’ve been tackling the complex life questions of a four-year-old all day this is just the ticket.
5. The Few Pubs Of Christmas
We won’t go as far as saying twelve because as parents we just don’t have the luxury of that kind of hangover. How about the four pubs of Christmas and a cheeky Mc Donalds on the way home? I’m not sure I can think of anything more perfect.
6. Festive Coffee In the Middle Of The Day
Hop on a bus, head into town and enjoy an overpriced gingerbread or toffee something or other. Say YES to the cream and wear your Christmas jumper for the fun of it. There is something lovely about being in town during the day at Christmas time. The kids will love this one too (although they are optional if babysitters are in waiting).
7. A Fancy Christmas Food Shop
Not THE Christmas food shop but why not treat yourselves to a jaunt around your local supermarket and pick up some novelty Christmas themed finger foods, dessert and booze. Go home, light a Winter candle and enjoy a cosy night scoffing the goods. This one is my favourite.
Tracey is a happy mammy to four-year-old Billy. She is a breastfeeder, gentle parent and has recently lost five stone so healthy family eating is her passion! You can find her at www.loveofliving.ie.
