Best Christmas Traditions for Couples (New & Married) in 2024

Fun Christmas traditions for couples are easy, built-in ways to make your relationship a priority. Even during this busy time.

Christmas is a beautiful time for family and friends, but sometimes in the flurry of activity, your most important relationship takes a hit.

When was the last time you relaxed with just your partner? If it’s not often during the holiday season, it’s time to change that!

Christmas traditions couples and hot chocolate date ideas

20 Epic Christmas Traditions & Activities for Couples

Choose a few traditions below and start something that can last for decades. You’ll be building unforgettable memories along the way.

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1. Exchange Unique Date Night Gifts

Next, my spouse and I aren’t big gift-givers to each other. However, we LOVE giving a gift that is used as a future date. We put together these fun date gifts. Then, we unwrap them on Christmas Day night, once the children are in bed and we can have a moment to ourselves.

This has turned into one of our favorite Christmas traditions for couples. Because we have two planned out dates to do in the dreary winter months.

2. Have a Baking Extravaganza Day

cute couples things to do at Christmas: ideas instead of gifts, have a baking food day

First, why not make your scrumptious Christmas treats together?

Spend a few hours making your favorite goodies to eat. Then, walk around the neighborhood giving away small packages of treats to neighbors and friends.

Find delicious recipes: 15 Healthy Treats for Christmas

3. Embark on a Romantic Holiday Getaway

Next, Christmastime is arguably the most beautiful time of the year. So, plan an annual weekend getaway with your love. Pick a peaceful landscape or a bustling city with lots of lights. The choice is yours!

Can’t get away? Transform your holiday into a fun staycation with activities like outdoor light shows, hot chocolate, new takeout experiences, and a holiday movie marathon. It makes for a relaxing break from Christmas preparations.

4. Enjoy a Holiday Shopping Spree

*Great for parents!

romantic day out with partner shopping

Do you have kids? Every year, get a babysitter and enjoy one night out getting gifts for the kids. Eat at a fun restaurant too! If you’re shopping online this year, turn this into a cozy night in with takeout after the kids are in bed.

5. Do Good in the World

Next, helping others will undoubtedly bring you together. Is there a way for you to be generous over the season? Plan out a few options and enjoy the feel-good endorphins together.

6. Go on a Couples Double Date

Try a couples date night every year around the holidays to catch up with old friends. It’s a simple yearly tradition, but it’s a relaxing way for parents to take a break. You get to relax with each other plus a few others you love.

*Try fun challenge questions for couples on your date!

7. Watch Your Favorite Christmas Movies

*Then quiz your partner!

cute Christmas movies traditions for couples: watch movies for date night activities

Who could miss all of the amazing movies at Christmas? Whether you’re into the classics like The Grinch, or the plethora of romantic Hallmark movies, snuggle up with your partner by the fire.

Related: Test what you know with

8. Smooch Under the Mistletoe

mistletoe

This one is such an easy way to keep the romance alive! Hang your mistletoe over a common space. Then, enjoy extra smooches over the holiday season. It only takes a second, and it’s a fantastic way to strengthen your bond!

9. Savor a Special Breakfast

*Perfect for Christmas morning!

eat a special breakfast as a couples Christmas tradition and activity: newlyweds or married

Decide on a special holiday breakfast and splurge on fancy coffee. Your Christmas morning will feel cozy and warm.

If your kids are older and sleep late, sit with your spouse and enjoy a quiet moment before the chaos begins.

10. Toast Your Life Together

After the hoopla has died down, make a toast with the one you love. What are some things that went well over the holiday season? The year? Spend a short moment being grateful for the love that surrounds you.

11. Have a Cozy Hot Chocolate Rendezvous

Christmas traditions couples and hot chocolate date ideas

Set up a hot chocolate bar or stop at a local coffee shop. It’s a quick date that puts ANYONE in the Christmas spirit. If you have time, sit and chat with your sweet beverages.

Try these on your date too. You’ll be laughing in no time!

12. Write a Heartfelt Note

Next, get a little romantic and leave a love note in your partner’s stocking to read on Christmas Day.

Being poetic is great, but even a simple sentence expressing appreciation is meaningful on a day often overshadowed by other things.

Fun Couples Countdown Traditions to Start

Next, here are 3 SUPER fun ways to use a countdown to spice your holiday traditions up. Let’s check them out!

13. Twelve Dates of Christmas

fun Christmas traditions for couples include date ideas

As your Christmas gift, prepare 12 separate dates for the coming year. Organize and buy gift cards to make them easy to do.

Find more ideas at the Little Frugal House.

14. Twelve Days of Self Care

There’s no doubt about it. The holidays are fun, but also stressful. If it’s a difficult time of year for your mental health or relationship, do a Christmas self care challenge! Slow down together during an incredibly fast-paced time.

15. Twelve Days of Christmas Gifts

12 days of Christmas gifts

Next, give your partner 12 days of Christmas gifts leading up to Christmas Day. This fun tradition can coincide with the Christmas song or it can be anything you want.

16. Craft Custom Couples Christmas Traditions

We are all unique, so our traditions should be too! Spontaneous and out-of-the-box traditions are often the most memorable.

What do you love to do? What do you love to eat? Incorporate these!

Perhaps you get Chinese food on Christmas Eve or drink champagne to celebrate surviving another holiday season. Do something that makes you both happy. And own it!

17. Exchange a Christmas Ornament

Are you building a beautiful Christmas tree? If so, give your partner a new ornament every year. In 10 years, you’ll come across ornaments that bring back sweet memories.

18. Make a Sweet Christmas Eve Box

make a Christmas eve box for Christmas activities and traditions for couples

The Christmas Eve box is one of our favorite family traditions, but it can easily be a Christmas tradition for couples instead. Pack items in a box to make the evening fun and bright for the night before Christmas. Ideas for your partner include:

  • Hot chocolate, coffee, or alcohol

For lots of family ideas, read: Magical Christmas Eve Box for Kids

19. Enjoy a Beautiful Winter Hike

If the first snowfall occurs before Christmas, take advantage with a trail hike together. You’ll enjoy the untainted beauty. Plus, connecting with nature will bring you both happiness and gratitude.

20. Stuff Christmas Stockings

Christmas traditions couples: stuff stockings

Finally, fill your partner’s stocking with small goodies that make him or her smile. Let them know that you are thinking about them!

Looking for More Quality Family Time?

Check out my low-cost ebook! It’s a useful guide for family traditions to do ALL YEAR LONG! Don’t miss out on these memory-making activities this year!

family traditions ebook

To Consider With Christmas Couples Traditions

Christmas traditions for couples make a meaningful difference. And they don’t have to cost a lot of money.

As you do them, you’ll find that you’ve stolen priceless moments with your partner. Even when life is chaotic.

best date ideas and Christmas traditions for couples

What are your favorite couples Christmas traditions? Let me know in the comments!

Other Christmas posts you’ll love…

20 Festive Couples Christmas Traditions