The 12 dates of Christmas

The Christmas holidays are here… It’s time to put your feet up, cram as many mince pies in your mouth as physically possible, watch The Muppets Christmas Carol (for the sixth time), drink mulled wine, catch up with old friends… and get dating!

While you may not think the time between now, Christmas Day and New Year onwards is a good time to have fun with new dates, (because it is cold outside/you’re regretting those mince pies/you’d rather watch the Muppets Christmas Carol again), the opposite is in fact true. Last year Lovestruck saw a huge peak in online activity on Boxing Day, with a 56 per cent increase in traffic to the site. What’s more, with no annoying alarm clock beeping at an ungodly hour, 45 per cent of Lovestruck members said they would be concentrating on finding love during the holidays. So, with that in mind, we’ve listed the top 12 dates to go on during this festive period:

Date One: Go to Winter Wonderland
This is brilliant venue and has everything you could want for date fun, including a full-blown Bavarian market serving beer and bratwurst, fairground rides, a giant wheel, Santa’s Grotto, Zippos Circus and the Spiegel Saloon, a large and festive restaurant – and an ice rink illuminated by over 100,000 lights so it is literally, glittering. Runs to January 5.
Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH; www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Date Two: Ice-skating at Somerset House
The coolest ice rink in London is based in the grand courtyard of this historic building. After dark, top DJs spin tunes so you whizz along the ice, showing off your best spins and toe-loops. They also have ‘Skate Extras’, where you can add champagne and chocolate to your date, or even dinner at Tom’s Kitchen or a luxury stay at The Savoy. If you need some help, pop into one of the Skate Schools before your date. Runs until January 5.
Somerset House, South Building, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA; www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink

Date Three: Watch Aladdin
He’s behind you! Pantos can make for fun, laughter and a fab date night. With performances running until January 12, we recommend the New Wimbledon Theatre’s Aladdin, starring Jo Brand making her panto debut as Genie of the Ring, street dancers Flawless and Matthew Kelly as Widow Twankey. Oh yes he is….
New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, London, SW19 1QG; www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

Date Four: Go to Hogwarts in the Snow
Harry Potter fans listen in! The sets of Harry Potter have undergone a festive makeover so The Great Hall is lined with Christmas trees headed by ‘malevolent fairies, the Gryffindor common room and dormitories are lined with tinsel and at the Burrow, the Weasley’s Christmas dinner is preparing itself! Runs until January 12.
Warner Bros Studios, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, London, WD25 7LS; www.wbstudiotour.co.uk

Date Five: Follow the illuminated trail at Kew Gardens
This extraordinary experience sees Kew lit up like never before. Taking inspiration from the buildings and landscape, the route goes through the heart of the gardens and there are lights, sound and interactive installations along the way. Afterwards visit the Christmas village, with stalls, music and festive rides to enjoy. Runs until January 4.
Kew Gardens, Brentford Gate, Kew, TW9 3AB; www.kew.org

Date Six: Go to a Christmas concert
London’s major concert venues all stage concerts over the festive period. Many feature world famous singers and orchestras, as well host special candlelit and sing-a-long events. We recommend one of the services at the iconic venue, St Martin-in-the-Fields, where you can work up an appetite and pop to the Café in the Crypt for a mince pie – or a traditional Christmas lunch, afterwards.
St Martins in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4JJ; www.stmartins-in-the-fields.org

Date Seven: Watch the Fireworks
The seventh night of Christmas is officially New Year’s Eve, so what better than to watch the fireworks, which shoot off from the London Eye with St Paul’s, Big Ben and the city in the backdrop. It’s pretty awesome stuff. Make sure you plan ahead as the best spots fill up from around 9pm.
London Eye, Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, London, SE1 7PB; www.london.gov.uk/get-involved/events/new-years-eve-2013

Date Eight: Have a Christmas-themed champagne afternoon tea
Celebrate with a special afternoon tea at the BB Bakery in Covent Garden. You can enjoy treats like Christmas cupcakes, ginger bread cookies and candy cane macaroons. Afterwards head out to see Covent Garden’s lights and enjoy the festive fun in the piazza. Runs until December 21.
BB Bakery, 6-7 Chandos Place, London, WC2H 4HU; www.bbbakery.co.uk

Date Nine: See the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
Standing splendid in the middle of Trafalgar Square until the Twelfth Night, this tree is the biggest and best in London. It is donated every year by the people of Oslo, as thanks for Britain’s help during World War II. Decorated in Nordic fashion and over 20m in height, it will make the best selfie pic backdrop this festive season. Then head to The Trafalgar’s iconic sky bar, Vista, for a glass of bubbles!
Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN; www.london.gov.uk/priorities/arts-culture/trafalgar-square

Date Ten: Drink cocktails at the Aqua Shard
Whizz up to Level 31 of The Shard and feel your ears pop and then drink cocktails, while taking in the incredible views of London. The cocktail list is divided into three sections; Classic Inspirations, Gin Inspirations and Tea Inspirations. Our favourite is the Battenberg Martini. Cheers!
Aqua Shard, Level 31, The Shard, 31 Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY; www.aquashard.co.uk

Date Eleven: Watch The Nutcracker
Running until January 5, the English National Ballet performs this festive and magical Tchaikovsky classic, which has been part of London’s Christmas since the 1950s. Journey back in time to a frost-covered, gas-lit London where young girl Clara is swept up in a fantasy involving toy soldiers, snow fairies, magic, mystery and her beloved Nutcracker.
London Coliseum, 33 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4ES; www.eno.org/whats-on/other/enb-the-nutcracker

Date Twelve: Have lunch at Blackfoot
Launched by Tom Ward and Allegra McEvedy, the creators of the LEON restaurant chain, this new pork eaterie in Exmouth Market opened on December 13 and dishes up all things piggy, from smoked slow-roasted pork belly with treacle and Szechuyan glaze, Vietnamese pork belly salad and Cherrystone clams with chilli crackling. Yum!
Blackfoot, 46 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE; www.blackfootrestaurant.co.uk

Let us know how many of these date idea you manage to do – all 12? Hero! x @Lovestruck