12 Dates of Christmas

Hey, friends! If you’ve been hanging out with me since last year, then you already know about the marriage tradition that Mark and I share each year–The 12 Dates of Christmas. This season is largely full of family centered memory making, and while we absolutely love family time, setting up these 12 dates gives us an opportunity to be intentional with one another. It is special and we have looked forward to it each year.

I usually hand write all of the 12 dates on little tags or pieces of cardstock, and hang them on the Christmas tree in our master bedroom. Yes, we have a Christmas tree in our bedroom–and almost every other room in the house haha. Then we will each take turns choosing dates throughout the month of December. We’ve had to swap out things like ice skating, for more homebound fun, but we are still making it happen!

If nothing else, the changes this year have forced us all to get creative with our time, and with how we make our memories. Mark and I won’t be able to catch a fancy dinner downtown, while the grandparents are in town to babysit. What we can do is make the best of our time at home, and I love that the Chinet® Cut Crystal® collection lends some extra charm when it comes to living room date nights. Which brings me to Date #1–Charcuterie and Christmas movie night. We put the babes to bed, curate all of our favorite items for our charcuterie board, and pour ourselves a “cup of cheer” using our Chinet® Cut Crystal® 9 oz. cups.

This post has been sponsored by the Chinet® brand. I make it a point to only collaborate with brands that I truly enjoy and love. All opinions are entirely my own.

We snuggle up on the couch, and choose a movie, which is typically not very difficult, because we both have an affinity for basically all Christmas movies. We enjoy our board, chat, and sink into the comfort of a familiar holiday storyline. I love that the Chinet® Cut Crystal® dessert plates are the perfect size for small bites, and that they free us both from post-date night dish duty.

If you’re looking to start this fun tradition in your house, this year, here are more ideas you could consider:

• Wine and Cheese night
• Camp out under the Christmas tree lights
• Face Mask Friday
• Dance to Silent Night (I highly recommend the version by The Temptations)
• Steal kisses under the mistletoe
• Foot massage exchange
• Hang out by the firepit and chat (thank you, baby monitor)
• Play your favorite game together. Don’t have one? Try a new one. We like Scrabble.
• Candlelit bubble bath
• Hot cocoa night
• Dream up what you want the next year to look like together
• Stargazing (grab an air mattress and all of your blankets)

However you choose to date your spouse/significant other this season, leave the dishes to the Chinet® brand. Soak up every second you can with the people that matter. For more ideas and inspiration, visit MyChinet.com today.