7 Merry & Bright Christmas Date Night Ideas In Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

'Tis the season to go on some of the cheesiest dates of the year.

I'll be the first to roast all the Hallmark Christmas cliches. We all go to our small hometown, some gorgeous barista teaches us the true meaning of Christmas, we don't go back to our big city job and we stay there forever.

via GIPHY

We're probably not going to find a Hallmark-quality love interest this year. But as the resident Bachelorette, I thought I'd make your Christmas season easier and help you come up with some festive date night ideas that you can do right around the QCA.

If you're really ready to pop the question this December, there are several good places around the Quad Cities for that too. But for now, let's get into the date ideas.

7. Ice Skating

This is one of my favorite things to do the whole year, but it's so perfect for this month. It's fun even if you can't skate to try along with your partner and get some hot cocoa while you're at it. The River's Edge in Davenport, Riverside Park Lagoon in Moline, or Clinton's seasonal ice rink are all options for the season.

6. Vander Veer's Rose Garden

Really, that picture alone should be evidence enough.

5. Wrap Gifts Together

I really don't hate the idea of having a little gift-wrapping competition with the guy I'm dating. Any festive date night in, like making gingerbread houses or baking cookies, is an inexpensive and fun date for cuffing season.

4. Volunteer Together

Davenport and Moline's Salvation Army branches are still accepting applications to volunteer to be bell ringers with their Red Kettle Campaign. If that doesn't sound fun for both of you, you could always volunteer at area food banks.

3. Locally Shop For One Another

A TikTok couples' challenge involved going to a store and picking out something your S.O. would like to drink, something they would snack on, something that's their favorite color, another thing that reminds you of them, and just an everyday thing. This weekend, Freight House Farmers' Market is having their Jingle and Mingle event and there are so many local shops you can go check out.

2. Go To A Christmas Show

Get a bit classy with a Christmas date night. Ballet Quad Cities will present "The Nutcracker" at the Adler Theatre on December 9th & 10th. Spotlight Theatre in Moline is putting on "A Christmas Carol" musical December 1st-3rd and 8th-10th. Circa 21 in Rock Island is showing "A Christmas Story" through December 30th.

1. Winter Nights Winter Lights

Quad City Botanical Center is quite literally lit. Christmas lights are all over the place thanks to Winter Nights Winter Lights. There's an activity room for make and take activities for both kids and adults, you can get hot cocoa, snacks, enjoy some photo ops, and watch a dancing light show.

They also have Lights & Flights events on December 14th & 28th if you'd like to enjoy some wine with your Christmas lights.

There are plenty of festive date options for you in the QCA this month. Happy holiday dating!