Winter Wonderland DATE GUIDE
Set
THE MOOD Take a moment to consider the space where your date will occur. Locate your included candles and light them to enjoy the aroma of the holidays! Don’t forget to access your custom Winter Wonderland playlist at datenightinbox.com/wonderland.
Optional
DINNER MENU GRAB YOUR RECIPE CARD
Each month we include
Hi, friends! I’m Marina from
custom recipes provided
marinamakesblog.com. The first
by Marina (from
weeks of winter are the best.
marinamakesblog.com).
Everyone is in hibernation mode
Our hope is that you will
eating warm foods, sipping hot
be inspired to use this
chocolate and cozying up by the
recipe card again in the
fire. The first few snowfalls are
future.
magical and bright, and there’s a
Enjoy!
lot of joy in the air leading up to time with family and friends. I created this menu in hopes that these eats will make you think about the magic and wonder of the first moments you experience in winter. This month’s recipes include a creamy fettuccine alfredo, kale and Brussels sprout salad, peppermint chocolate truffles and a spiked option for the hot chocolate included in your box. I’d love to see how your food turns out, so please share pictures of your results on social media; don’t forget to use the hashtag #marinamakeseats. Happy eating!
“HERE’S TO A BRIGHT NEW YEAR, AND A FOND FAREWELL TO THE OLD; HERE’S TO THE THINGS THAT ARE YET TO COME, AND TO THE MEMORIES THAT WE HOLD.”
- Catherine Pulsifer
TABLE TALK IT’S TIME TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY A BIT OF TABLE TALK. WE HOPE THIS FUN, LIGHT-HEARTED DISCUSSION WILL BRING SOMETHING NEW TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP!
What a year it has been! Do you remember where you were this time last year? Buckle in and press rewind; welcome the flood of memories that brought you to this moment together. Take a trip down memory lane and reflect on these moments from your past year, no matter how big or small:
- NEW YEAR’S DAY - VALENTINE’S DAY - MY BIRTHDAY - YOUR BIRTHDAY - THE BEST NEW MOVIE YOU SAW - YOUR BEST DATE OF 2020 - THE FIRST (REAL) WEEKEND
OF SUMMER - A TIME YOU WERE GRATEFUL
FOR ONE ANOTHER - YOUR BEST VACATION
(OR STAYCATION) - THANKSGIVING DAY - YOUR PROUDEST DAY OF 2020
As you are enjoying each other’s company this evening, be reminded of just how precious life is. In just a year’s time, you might’ve experienced love, loss, lessons learned, triumphs, failures and the changing of seasons. What a year it has been! Cheers and farewell to 2020.
Winter Wonderland KEEPSAKE
NOW THAT YOU’VE TAKEN A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON YOUR YEAR, WE WANT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A KEEPSAKE TO REMEMBER IT BY.
MATERIALS NEEDED - Model Magic ® (included) - Permanent marker (included) - Cookie cutter or glass - Rolling pin or drinking glass - Optional: straw and ribbon Tip: If you would like to hang your keepsake, poke a hole through the top with a straw before it dries and string a ribbon through it!
INSTRUCTIONS: 1.
Take a moment to brainstorm what you want your keepsake to look like. Be sure to check out some of our ideas in the right column!
2.
Locate your Model Magic ® and use a rolling pin or the side of a drinking glass to roll it out on a flat surface. Roll the model magic to approximately ¼ in. thickness.
3.
Use a cookie cutter or the top of the glass to cut out a shape or create your own shape!
4.
Imprint any desired object into the dough (Ex: rings, house key, fingerprints).
5.
Gently write any words or designs on your creation using the permanent marker.
6.
Leave your keepsake out to dry for at least 2 days. Display your keepsake somewhere you will see it often!
TO GIVE YOU A FEW IDEAS, HERE’S HOW THE NIGHT IN BOXES TEAM DESIGNED THEIR KEEPSAKES. - Brooke, Date Night In Brand Manager: Brooke and her husband, Matt, imprinted their house key from their first house together and wrote their initials.
CONTEST ALERT! Upload a photo of you and your significant other featuring your Winter Wonderland keepsake to Facebook or Instagram, mentioning @ datenightinbox and using hashtags #DateNightInbox and #DNIWinterWonderland
- Julianna, Kids Night In Brand Manager: Julianna imprinted her new puppy’s paw and wrote the year.
for a chance to start
- Brian, Night In Boxes Owner: Brian wrote the word “Family” and included his two little ones’ thumbprints.
DETAILS: One lucky couple
off 2021 right and wi n a y e a r ’ s w o r t h o f D a t e N i gh t I n B o xe s !
will win the prize! Submissions must be posted on a public Facebook or Instagram profile. Join us on
- Will, Night In Boxes Videographer: Will and his wife, Blair, got married this year; they imprinted their wedding rings and wrote the year.
For more Winter Wonderland keepsake inspiration featuring items you might have around your house, visit datenightinbox.com/ wonderland
Facebook (@Date Night In) or Instagram (@datenightinbox) for more contest details.
Winter Wonderland
TRUTH, DARE OR KARAOKE Now it’s time for some spirited fun! Locate your included Winter Wonderland Truth, Dare or Karaoke scratch off card and a coin to help you scratch it. Play rock-paper-scissors to determine who goes first. Then, take turns picking a box and carrying out the challenge! Visit datenightinbox.com/wonderland to access the karaoke songs.
Love Notes
& HOT COCOA In the chaos of the holiday season (and let’s be honest, life in general), it can be easy to put a relationship on the back burner, especially if you have been together for a long time! For the next activity, take some time to write a note for your significant other. In the midst of the gift-giving season, heartfelt words of encouragement can be the perfect present for your sweetheart. Remember that length and eloquence are less important than sincerity and heart. Once your letters are finished, put them in the included envelopes. Open them if/when the holidays feel overwhelming or when you need a special reminder. While you write your letters, make and enjoy your included hot cocoa. Feel free to write whatever you’d like or use one of the prompts below: - Remind your partner of the reasons you are grateful for them. - Think back on specific times this past year when your partner was there for you when you needed them and thank them. - Reminisce about how you fell in love. - Tell your partner your dreams for your shared future.
DRAW IT BLIND Next up is an exercise in trust and laughter. Locate your included blindfold and grab a pen and paper. One partner will wear the blindfold and attempt to draw the winter wonderland items below while the other partner gives verbal instructions. Then, switch roles and see whose artwork turns out the best! Remember, the key to this exercise is to trust and listen to one another, good luck!
ITEMS TO DRAW: Snowflake Winter coat Fir tree Ice skates Snowman Sled
REFLECTION TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON YOUR WINTER WONDERLAND DATE NIGHT IN BOX. DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS TOGETHER: -
After reflecting on your year, what aspects or practices of 2020 do you want to carry into 2021? What do you hope will be different in 2021?
-
Which part of the date did you enjoy most?
-
Did you try something new as a part of the date? What was it like to experience it with your significant other?
WAYS TO CONTINUE YOUR NIGHT -
Watch your favorite holiday movie together.
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Display your winter wonderland keepsake as a memento of your past year.
-
Go for a ride to see holiday lights.
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Make Model Magic ® keepsakes for your loved ones.
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Have a family or friend game night.
#DATENIGHTINBOX @DATENIGHTINBOX