Advent calendar for couples: 24 small dates and 24 questions, one for every day to Christmas

· 5 min read

TL;DR

  • A couples advent calendar does not need 24 gifts. One small thing to do together and one question a day is enough.
  • Each day below takes 10 to 60 minutes: a decoration, a walk to see the lights, a card you open just before Christmas.
  • Open the calendar day by day right here, or print the list and stick it on the fridge.

Most advent calendars for couples are a box of 24 small gifts, which is lovely and expensive and over in a minute each morning. This one is free and lasts longer: every day from December 1 to Christmas Eve there is one small thing to do together and one question to ask each other while you do it. Some days take ten minutes, a few take an evening, none needs anything you do not already have.

How to use this couples advent calendar

  • Open one day at a time, in the evening when you are both home.
  • Swap days around if your week needs it; just do all 24 by Christmas Eve.
  • Both answer the question, even when you think you know your partner’s answer.
  • Long distance? Most days work on a video call, and the questions work over text.

The 24 days

  1. Day 1: Write your holiday bucket list together: ten things you want to do before New Year’s. Then ask each other: What would your dream holiday season look like this year?
  2. Day 2: Put up one decoration together and tell each other where your favorite ornament came from. Then ask each other: Which holidays do you love celebrating the most – and why?
  3. Day 3: Swap one family tradition each. Pick one to try this year. Then ask each other: What family tradition would you like to carry into your own relationship?
  4. Day 4: Make hot chocolate from scratch, not from a packet. Then ask each other: What smell instantly takes you back to childhood?
  5. Day 5: Watch the Christmas movie one of you has never seen. Then ask each other: What thing from childhood still brings you joy as an adult?
  6. Day 6: Write a short card to each other. Do not read it until day 23. Then ask each other: What compliment from your partner has stuck with you the most?
  7. Day 7: Go for an evening walk to see the lights in your neighborhood. Then ask each other: Which memory always makes you smile?
  8. Day 8: Bake one batch of cookies. Decorating is a competition. Then ask each other: What do you miss most about being a kid?
  9. Day 9: Build a holiday playlist together, one song each in turn. Then ask each other: Which song reminds you the most of your relationship?
  10. Day 10: Plan your dream holiday celebration, no budget limits. Then ask each other: What would your dream family celebration look like?
  11. Day 11: Do something kind for someone else together: a donation, a neighbor, a friend. Then ask each other: What are you most grateful to each other for today?
  12. Day 12: Have a candlelit dinner at home, phones in another room. Then ask each other: What would your perfect evening for two look like?
  13. Day 13: Make a photo collage or album of the year. Then ask each other: What moment from the past year meant the most to you?
  14. Day 14: Play a board game or a round of the couples quiz. Loser makes breakfast. Then ask each other: What is one of you way better at when it comes to everyday life?
  15. Day 15: Wrap each other’s gifts. Blindfolded. Then ask each other: What kind of gifts move you the most emotionally?
  16. Day 16: Visit a winter market or a café you have never tried. Then ask each other: Which travel memory has stayed with you the most?
  17. Day 17: Write down three things you are grateful to each other for this year. Then ask each other: What are you grateful to your partner for today?
  18. Day 18: Make a festive breakfast in bed for each other. Then ask each other: What would your ideal morning together look like?
  19. Day 19: Have a holiday movie marathon with a blanket fort. Then ask each other: What would your perfect movie night look like?
  20. Day 20: Call or visit someone you have not seen in a while, together. Then ask each other: Which friendships matter most to you right now, and why?
  21. Day 21: Plan one trip for next year: just the destination and the month. Then ask each other: What would your dream trip together look like?
  22. Day 22: Exchange one small, handmade gift each. Then ask each other: What kind of surprises do you enjoy receiving from your partner the most?
  23. Day 23: Read your cards from day six out loud. Then ask each other: What’s the sweetest thing your partner has done for you lately?
  24. Day 24: Christmas Eve: light a candle and talk about the year you have had together. Then ask each other: What’s better about your life now than it was a year ago?

Want more for December?

For bigger evenings, there are twenty Christmas date ideas and twenty winter date ideas. For a game night, play Christmas would you rather with real results from other couples, or a round of truth or dare for couples. In December, the weekly Dilemma in the coupleroom app is all about the holidays.

What do you put in an advent calendar for couples?

Small things to do together rather than objects: decorate, bake, walk to see the lights, write each other a card, plan next year’s trip. Add a question a day and the calendar becomes 24 small dates.

Is there a free couples advent calendar?

Yes, this one. Open it day by day on this page or print the list. Everything uses things you already have at home.

Can long distance couples do an advent calendar?

Yes. Do the activities at the same time on a video call, send each other photos, and ask the questions over text. Mail the day-six card ahead of time.

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