Welcome Glassies, to your guide to life. This series takes a deep dive into all your pressing need-to-knows (how to contact your local MP, how to make the perfect cocktail, and how to get over your ex, goddamnit) and offers comprehensive guides so that you can live your Best Glassie Life™.
This edition is A Glassie’s Guide to Festive Dates.
Glassies, I don’t know if it’s the Christmas spirit or my recent change of status in the dating scene, but something about the holidays is making me want to live out my own Hallmark movie moment. I’ll be the clumsy small-town girl running late to a party, they’ll be an overworked employee who’s never uttered the words ‘I love you’ before. It’ll be a dream for about 2-3 business days.
Although Brisbane doesn’t fit the winter Christmas aesthetic, it’s certainly beginning to look like Christmas in every supermarket around us. And with consumerist Christmas joy, comes Christmas-themed dates! Whether it’s your first Tinder date or your last, this Guide has something for everyone to enjoy.
1. Take a stroll around a Christmas market
Who doesn’t love a good market? (don’t answer that question).
Christmas markets are the epitome of Christmas joy, with hand-crafted ornaments and peppermint candy sweetening the air. You might encounter the occasional crying child, but the artisan gifts and food trucks will make it worth it.
Local favourite, the BrisStyle Twilight Market will be held at King George Square tonight (2nd of December). If you want to visit multiple markets this weekend, the Nundah Christmas Twilight Market will be held this Saturday, as well as the QAGOMA Christmas Design Market this Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of December. For more information about these markets, click here, here and here.
2. Go ice-skating
I suck at ice-skating, but you might not.
It might feel a little northern hemisphere-esque, but ice-skating is a fun option if you’re comfortable with the idea of falling and possibly embarrassing yourself in front of your special someone. Consider investing in a massage gun or exorbitant amounts of scented salt bath packets if you think the muscle pain might be a bit too much for you to handle during these holidays.
Iceworld has two rinks in Brisbane for you to choose from: one in Acacia Ridge and another in Boondall. Click here to find out more.
3. Become a drinks connoisseur
There’s not much that I love more than a sweet drink with a cute topper.
Whether it’s mulled wine or an overpriced gingerbread cocktail, most bars will have a themed drink or two. You can make a night out of trying new drinks and ranking them based on taste and design features or get creative and make your own at home. You can even attend a mixology class if you want to become a real pro. The School of Everything has a class that welcomes beginners, you can find more about it here.
If you’re keen for an extremely Christmas themed drinking experience, Tinseltown is the right place for you. A pop-up bar in Brisbane that looks like a candy-cane made love to glitter, with wallpaper to match. You can find out more and get tickets here.
4. Snuggle up and watch a festive movie
There’s something deeply comforting about a predictable plot with some A-list celebrities sprinkled in.
Love Actually, The Grinch, Die Hard— you’ve got choices a’ plenty. Enjoy a cosy night in, a trip to your nearest cinema, or catch an outdoor movie. If you’re looking to save some money this season, eatSouthBank is bringing back its dearly beloved free Christmas cinema on the River Quay Green from the 17th to the 20th of December. Find our more here.
5. Buy matching Christmas jammies
I can’t say I’ve made a date out of buying matching PJ’s yet, but I do think it sounds pretty fun.
If you’re not afraid of being ‘that couple’ then sure, go buy matching jammies. People may secretly (or openly) judge you, but let’s be honest, most of us just want to get to where you are: happy, and in love.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds or judgment, a quick late-night Kmart or Target trip in your hoodies and crocs (the stealthiest of shoes) should do the trick. However, if you want to invest in a wardrobe staple, you might have to wait in line at your nearest Peter Alexander. (Have you seen their newest reindeer socks? Um, I’ll take two pairs please).
6. Drive around to see Christmas lights
Hey, if you’re reading this article because you found it in one of my dating app bios, this is it. This is the date I want. You’re welcome.
I know car juice is expensive right now, but driving around to see Christmas lights is a classic Christmas activity that can very easily be a romantic affair. Grab some snacks, make a good playlist, and enjoy some state-of-the-art animated reindeer.
If you’d rather avoid the cost of cars, you could potentially ride your skates, boards or bikes instead. If you do, just make sure you don’t get blinded by the pretty colours and smash into a car like I did when I was eight years old. (Sorry to whoever’s car mirror I broke in Northlakes 14 years ago).
I’ve heard Mount Gravatt, Bracken Ridge and Alexandra Hills are where the best Christmas displays are at, but if you want a detailed route, Urban List have a great article with better directions than I could ever give, here.
7. Attend a Christmas party together
This one’s high risk, high reward. Will you successfully charm their friends? Or will they embarrass themselves in front of your nan? You never know with the holidays.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your relationship, consider breaking some Christmas crackers in union, among friends and or family of your choice. I’d suggest having a pre-brief to discuss anxieties and maybe figuring out a safe-word in case things go south and you need to communicate through more than just intense eye contact.
If you’re hosting the party yourselves, be prepared to either compromise on the menu you’re serving, or double up on everything if you really can’t settle between the salmon with mash or roast turkey with veggies. Also, I cannot stress this enough, make sure you buy ice the day before rather than the day of.
8. Enjoy some carols and a show
There’s nothing quite like Christmas shows, with their dazzling lights and unrelentless joyful entertainment.
If you’re not yet tired of retail Christmas radios, you might enjoy an evening of carols on the 10th of December for $5 at Riverstage. But be warned, you’ll be at risk of getting carols stuck in your head for an undeterminable amount of time. There will be singing, there will be dancing, and there will for sure be at least one couple getting a bit too close on the lawn. All in all, a fun packed night. If you want some more info, you can find it here.
Your special someone doesn’t have to be a love interest. Any of these activities could be just as easily enjoyed among friends. However, if you’re as keen to live out a rom-com moment as I am, you can link this article in your dating app bio to give your matches a little divine inspiration. Or you could take inspiration from it yourself and ask out the cutie in your dm’s.
Merry Christmas Glassies, and if you’re on the apps like me, good luck swiping xx.
