Love quizzes, fun, and the winter solstice

The shortest day of the year, otherwise known as the winter solstice, fell on December 21^st at 6:03 PM EST this year. It is officially the first day of winter!

The winter solstice occurs when the North Pole tilts 23.5 degrees away from the sun. It is the longest night of the year and the days start getting longer after this event.

The winter solstice is celebrated all over the world, and it has been observed for centuries. Many people mark the day as “the return of the sun” or darkness turning into light. The celebration often involved a great feast, bonfires, and gift giving – all things we do to this day during the holiday season.

Now that the winter solstice is upon us and the temperatures are continuing to drop, it might be tempting to stay inside and do a few love quizzes until summer comes. Believe it or not, however, winter can be full of romantic fun.

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your love life has to be boring. You just need a little imagination, and we’ve got a few ideas for you to get started!

• Have a picnic inside. A romantic indoor picnic can be a lot of fun, and it is a lovely way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Stock up on some tasty treats – olives, cheese, wine, a baguette – and cozy up on a blanket in front of the fire. If you don’t have a fireplace, get a DVD of a fire burning!
  

• Ice skating. Ice-skating is the quintessential winter activity, and it can be incredibly romantic. Find an outdoor skating rink, hold hands, and get a bit closer. Just don’t fall down! Follow up your fun on the ice with some delicious hot chocolate.
• Set up a hot cocoa bar. After a day of skating or playing in the snow, a fun way to wrap things up is with some hot cocoa. Why go out when you can set up your own hot chocolate bar at home? Get some cocoa mix, milk, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and even a few tasters to make things exciting.

Winter really can be a lot of fun and filled with lots of romantic delights. Even those silly online love quizzes focused on fun winter activities might give you some new ideas. So how are you spending your time this winter?