Festive 12 dates of Christmas are waiting for you! Whether you want to do something romantic with your significant other or festive activities with a friend, these ideas, based on the 12 Days of Christmas song are sure to spark your imagination.
Some of them are loosely inspired… it can be hard to come up with things for so many birds. I forgot how many times different birds were mentioned in that song!
When are the 12 days of Christmas? If you truly want to follow the tradition, the twelve days are from December 25th to January 5th. However, feel free to adapt this to a twelve-day version of the Christmas countdown that suits your schedule. That’s what I’m going to do.
It can be hard to do all these dates in a row. Or even squeeze them into your busy Holiday Season. So, I listed here some very simple ideas, too, that can be easily done from the comfort of your home.
However you choose to space them out, or how many dates you’ll have, it will undoubtedly make this Christmas season joyful.
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A Partridge in a Pear Tree – Cider and Craft Date
“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.”
Here we go with the first bird. This bird comes with a fun pear theme, so I’ll go with that.
Prepare this delightfully simple pear cider from How Sweet Eats. As it simmers and fills the house with a wonderful aroma, you can engage in other festive activities, such as whipping up pear-themed treats, like these pear muffins from Laura Fuentes.
Alternatively, you could make the pear cider beforehand and enjoy it with some bourbon while crafting your pear ornaments.
This easy DIY project can be accomplished with a glue gun, scissors, twine, and wooden pears. It’s pretty simple: start with a glue dot at the bottom of the wooden pear and attach the end of the twine to it. Let it cool and set. Begin to glue and wind the twine around the pear until you reach the top.
Sondra Lynn at Home has detailed instructions on how to make twine pear ornaments with light bulbs, twigs, and twine.
Two Turtle Doves – Movie Night
“On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves…”
A turtle dove, a symbol of love and devotion, is the perfect inspiration for a romantic date.
What can you do on the “Two Turtle Doves” date? How about a cozy evening, watching a Hallmark Christmas movie called Two Turtle Doves, and indulging in Turtles and Dove chocolate. And to make it even more special, pair it with a bottle of wine with a dove on the label.
Three French Hens – French Cuisine
“On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three French hens…”
There is a world of possibilities with this one!
You can go as simple as French fries or something unique, like snails. I know French fries are not from France, but it still goes with the theme.
For a taste of something new, visit a French restaurant or a macaroon shop, or even expand your cooking skills and take a French cooking class.
Or for a more laid-back date, enjoy a simple date at home, sipping egg nog and eating French toast.
Four Calling Birds – Sing to Your Heart’s Content
“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four calling birds…”
This is the date when you go to a karaoke bar for a fun evening. Alternatively, you could delight your neighbors or friends with Christmas caroling at their doorsteps.
If singing is not your thing, consider attending a festive Christmas concert.
Five Golden Rings – Sparkle and Shine
“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five golden rings…”
This date is all about sparkling gold!
When I typed the word sparkling, my mind went to sparkling wine, even though lately I’ve become a fan of sparkling mineral water… but that is not gold.
Wear gold jewelry or dress in gold-colored outfits. Or let your creativity fly and host a full-blown gold-themed party.
Alternatively, keep it super simple and have some donuts with gold sprinkles.
Six Geese a-Laying – British Christmas or Game Night
“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six geese a-laying…”
This one was the hardest one to come up with ideas for. Geese?? I had to look up what is special about geese, and they say that geese can control each of their eyes independently. Well, that didn’t exactly give me date ideas.
But then I learned that geese were a traditional British Christmas food. So, why not have a British Christmas celebration with a roasted goose for dinner, some plum pudding, and mince pies.
If a traditional British Christmas dinner does not sound like your thing, how about a fun and competitive date night? Try playing the classic strategy game Fox and Geese. It’s for two players, making it perfect for a date night. One of you is the fox trying to outsmart the other player who controls a flock of 15 geese.
Seven Swans a-Swimming – Water Activities
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming…”
Grab your swimsuits and go to a waterpark for a fantastic Christmas date. Or spend a relaxing evening soaking in a hot tub.
Eight Maids a-Milking – Milkshakes
“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking…”
Maids milking brought to my mind a Christmas on the Farm theme. Which then made me sing, “Let’s have a good old-fashioned Christmas down on the farm; a little overeating never did you any harm…”
Are you familiar with that tune? It’s a song from a Garfield Christmas movie. Why not watch this fun movie as one of your Christmas activities.
How about milkshakes? Experience the joy of making your own Christmas milkshakes or visiting your favorite ice cream parlor for a date.
Nine Ladies Dancing – Dance the Night Away
“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing…”
This one’s a piece-of-cake! Put on your festive clothes and hit the dance floor. You could also have a romantic night at home, playing your favorite tunes and dancing the night away.
I’m sure there is a Hallmark Christmas movie for any of these; for this one, it would be Christmas Waltz.
Ten Lords a-Leaping
“On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping…”
Since I already used the dance option, how about going to see the Nutcracker Ballet. Lots of leaping in that one. You could also stay home and watch a nutcracker-themed movie while eating some nuts.
Eleven Pipers Piping – Cookie Decorating and Warm Cocoa
“On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping…”
As I said, these 12 Dates of Christmas ideas are loosely inspired by the song. For instance, the “Eleven Pipers Piping” could be interpreted as a musical event or cookie decorating.
While a concert would be super festive, there is something cozy about cookie decorating. Use piping tips and bags to create your own edible masterpieces. And if you want to stick with the number eleven, you could decorate eleven cookies each or in total.
When the cookies are done, enjoy them with a cup of warm cocoa.
Twelve Drummers Drumming – Parade
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming…”
Spend an evening downtown watching a Christmas parade and exploring the shops decorated with twinkling lights and all things Christmas.
You could also stay home and watch The Little Drummer Boy.
Celebrate the Season with Family and Friends
I hope you have a wonderful time going on twelve dates this December! You can turn any of these dates into group activities and parties with additional fun Christmas games and exciting gift exchange activities.