42 Cheap Winter Date Ideas For College Students

Imagine you’re on a cute date with your significant other (or a first date), and you’re having the best day! I know what you’re thinking. “But I’m broke!”, I know, and it doesn’t matter! You can still have amazing dates. But what? Well, this post shares 42 winter date ideas for college students, so I’m sure you’ll find one you like.

Want a Winter Bucket List printable?

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1. Decorate Together

There is nothing I love to decorate for more than the Holiday season! There is so much you can do, and it truly makes a difference whether or not you feel Christmassy.

I actually just published a post with 8 magical dorm decor ideas for Christmas, if you want to take this first idea off the winter date ideas for college students and work on it right away!

This might not be a first date kind of date, but I think it’s super cute and gets you two in a holiday mood.

2. Go to a Karaoke Party

Who doesn’t love to sing along to Christmas carols and songs?

I think a karaoke party is perfect for a winter date, especially if it’s on a night out.

3. Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is one of my favorite winter activities, so going for a skating date is a dream come true.

Whether you have a hall in your area or an outdoor ice rink, ice skating is super fun and doesn’t cost much.

4. Watch Christmas Movies

Ok, this one isn’t very unique, but hey it belongs on our list!

Christmas movies are one of my favorite kinds of movies, and watching them with your date makes them even more romantic.

Make some hot cocoa, have some snacks and snuggle into a cozy blanket! That’s what I call a perfect day in.

5. Make an Advent Calendar

Advent calendars are super common in multiple countries in Europe, where I live, but I’ve seen them getting to the US as well.

I love opening a door every day in December. It just makes Christmas much more exciting, especially as a college student. Haha.

You could buy one for each other, but it’s the most fun to create one for each other. It doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money, but it’s up to you what you put into it.

Yes, it could be a little time consuming (depending on what you put in it), but it’s much cuter than a bought one (those are pretty wasteful too, usually).

6. Build a Snowman Together

If you get snow where you live, building a snowman is one of the best winter date ideas for college!

You could also make it into a fun challenge or build other snow creatures.

We get snow almost every year in Switzerland, but my long-distance boyfriend never visited during winter so I’m very excited for this year!

7. Cook For Each Other

Cooking is a fun activity that saves you lots of money in college!

So how about a homemade dinner date? You could each make a course or do 2 nights with each of you making the full dinner on a day

8. Make Christmas Gifts yourself

As much as I love Christmas shopping, it can get expensive.

Not just that, but everyone has so many things already that it is just hard to find them something they actually use and want.

For that reason, I love making gifts myself to make them more personal. You could make this into a winter date and create gifts for your families.

Need gift ideas? Click here to get to all of my gift guides!

9. Go to a museum

Museums can be fun to visit, especially in cold weather. If you’re from different states/countries or have different interests, you could each pick a museum you think the other person could learn from.

That way you learn about each other’s cultures or interests!

10. Go Sledding

I love sledding! You could see if you can borrow someone’s sleighs, but if not you can go to a thrift store and probably find some for cheap!

If you don’t live in a hilly area, it can also be fun to go somewhere not too far where there are hills, even if it’s just a day trip!

11. Go Skiing

Similarly to sledding, if you live close enough to a skiing area, go on a ski or snowboard date! Those are a lot of fun, and you get to spend some time outside.

12. Go to the mall

Going to the mall doesn’t have to cost much or anything at all! Doing window shopping and telling each other what you like can be just as fun.

13. Start a Sustainable Project Together

This may sound like it has nothing to do with college life or dating. But you are wrong.

Especially Christmas time needs to be made a little more sustainable. People don’t think about what is wasteful and what’s good for the planet and our health.

You can choose to take on a sustainability challenge together, and work towards a better lifestyle.

How to do that?

Don’t buy unnecessary gifts
Reduce your take away meals (or bring your own cup)
Wrap your gifts in recyclable or recycled paper. (nope, glitter on it isn’t)
Make personal gifts or useful ones
Gift experiences instead of things
Give away sustainable items such as metal straws, produce bags, experiences, etc)

This isn’t about being less “Christmassy”. It’s about being a conscious consumer and taking care of our planet in that busy season.

14. Make a Christmas Budget Plan Together

Talking about gifts, a Christmas budget is essential for your financial wellbeing and if you’re in a serious relationship, it’s important to consider your financial views.

This might not necessarily be a “date” date, but it’s something you can do together and get to know your goals and financial views better.

If you feel lost about getting started, you can read this post I made about budgeting for Christmas.

15. Go to a Christmas Party

If you agree that Christmas parties are an essential part of the holiday season, you should definitely go to one with your date.

And, it’s another reason to wear your ugly Christmas sweater again:)

16. Go to a Concert

Yes, concerts are more like a summer thing. But there are lots of great artists and musicals going on during Christmas time, so why not check it out?

It can be a fun time with your date and doesn’t have to be expensive.

17. Bake Christmas Cookies

I hope you have a kitchen somewhere in your residence hall because Christmas cookie baking is a must!

You can make it all yourself or buy a mix and just decorate the cookies with your significant other. I do prefer the first option, but whatever you choose, it’s going to be a fun afternoon!

18. Take a Roadtrip

Roadtrips are fun all year round, but winter is such a magical time of year, especially when it snows.

It can get pretty dangerous though, so please take care or try a train route when it gets too icy.

19. Have a Spa night in

I know some guys won’t like this when you first bring it up but try easing him into it with a bath, a movie, and massages. And don’t forget the face mask for yourself even if he won’t try it.

20. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

I think Christmas should be thought of as a time to help others, not just to see your family again and get gifts.

An animal shelter is a great place to volunteer. That will not only boost your resume but also your quality time with your date.

21. Send Handwritten Christmas Cards

I know, handwritten cards may be old school, but isn’t Christmas the perfect time to do things like that?

This is a unique winter date idea that doesn’t cost much money. Go shop for some supplies and write cards together!

You will definitely surprise someone with a card. Who doesn’t love getting cards and letters in the mail?

22. Start a Couple’s Journal

The holidays are the perfect time to start really thinking about what you are thankful for, and what you wish for the next year.

To me, Thanksgiving and Christmas both mean to go a little deeper and be grateful for what you have.

Having a journal for that can help to remember writing it down, and you can come back later and read it. I love doing that and doing it with your significant other can be even more special.

If you don’t feel like going that deep with each other yet, you can also start a bucket list book together, or a travel journal.

23. Go to hot tubs/swimming

Winter can get cold and you might feel like getting sick. That’s the perfect time to treat yourself and have a spa day.

As a college student, you probably won’t have money to go to a fancy spa.

But it doesn’t have to be. Going to a hot spring “water park” (or however you call an indoor pool place) and doing a facemask at home really won’t break the bank.

24. Have a Photoshoot

Every season has its special thing. I love taking pictures in the snow! And it’s a fun time with your date if he/she is ok with it.

25. Plan your Spring and Summer Break

I am definitely guilty of planning my spring and summer vacation waaay too late!

Winter break is actually the perfect time to think about how you want to use your free time, and where you might want to go on vacation together.

Here are some ideas:

Volunteer
Work and make money
Start your own biz (click here to get started)
Travel abroad
Study abroad
Go on vacation
etc.

26. Create a New Music Playlist

It doesn’t have to be just Christmas songs. But I like creating a playlist for each season, so this is a fun thing to do in the winter with your date.

You can collaborate on the same playlist and listen to each other’s favorite songs.

27. Have a Snowball Fight

Another one that depends on your area. But if you do get snow, a snowball fight is a MUST!

28. Make a Gingerbread House

Who doesn’t love gingerbread? Making a gingerbread house is another fun activity as a college student, and doing this as a date is so much fun!

29. Get Matching Pajamas

This probably sounds super cliche. But hey! It’s picture-perfect for social media- and also fun to do as a couple. How about this pair?

30. Take a Walk in the Snow

This one is a good idea for a study break! Instead of being on your phone and watching random YouTube videos, you could go outside and take a walk (in the snow.)

I loved doing that when I was younger, so it just sounds so relaxing to me. Try it out as a date (and don’t forget to make some hot cocoa afterwards to warm up)!

31. Go Black Friday Shopping

If I could give you one piece of advice about Black Friday, it would be to be intentional and not fall for “deals” of things you don’t need. Instead, you can each write a wish list and go hunting for the items together, while reminding each other not to get anything else!

If you’re interested in learning more about my tips on how to save money on Black Friday, read this post!

33. Celebrate Thanksgiving

Talking about Black Friday, Thanksgiving actually comes before it. Haha.

Anyway, get together with your families, or if you can’t go home for the break, celebrate Friendsgiving with your date!

34. Go Home for Christmas

Coming home for Christmas if you live far from home is such an exciting time. If you can, I would love for you to go home for Christmas and take your date with you!

But also, be excited for the new year, maybe you can have a fun date night then?

35. Have a Board Game Night

Christmas is a good time to get together and play some games! If you’re not into board games as much, there are several drinking games that are fun even if you don’t drink alcohol.

36. Go to a Fitness Class Together

Feeling 20 pounds heavier after the holidays? Yeah…I feel you.

Your college probably has a gym, so they might also have some free fitness classes you could take together, or if not, do a workout at home!

37. Go to a Christmas Market

Even if you don’t live in Germany, the country of Christmas markets, I am sure you can find one near you!

The one I’ve visited in Atlanta was tiny but still had a Christmas market vibe. So it did feel more like home!

Going on a Christmas market date with my boyfriend has been on my list for a while now, and this year we are finally going to go! Yay!

38. Volunteer at a Homeless Shelter

Another volunteer idea is a homeless shelter. Christmas is a hard time for the homeless, as you can probably imagine.

You can make them happy by volunteering for a homeless shelter or a food bank where they serve food for them, and you can do it together with your date.

39. Go Bowling

Bowling and arcades are super fun date ideas for winter, mostly because they’re indoors and not too expensive. Try it out!

40. Rock climbing

Going rock climbing might not be a very winter-y activity, but it’s indoors and is a lot of fun with a date, especially because it helps build trust!

41. Make a Review of your Year

Reviewing your year is a very important part of transitioning into the new year, which many people forget. And doing this with your partner/date can be fun and an opportunity to learn more about them.

A review doesn’t have to be time-consuming either. But I still suggest to take your time and really think about what made you happy this last year, in many areas of life.

You could review:

Your travels
What you learned
Your relationship
Your finances (income and expenses)
How your grades developed
What goals you reached

42. Write Goals for the New Year Together

Writing down goals for the new year can also be made into a date activity! Write down each of your goals and then brainstorm some together.

Try to be specific and don’t over-estimate yourself, but also don’t be afraid to dream and really think of what you want to achieve.

With that being said, I hope you enjoyed these winter date ideas for college students!