Currently, I'm girlfriendless.
However, I don't plan on letting that small fact stifle my holiday romanticism, and at 23 years old I feel almost obligated to pass on some of the things I've learned in my four years of wooing here in Buffalo.
The most important thing to remember during the holidays is that emotions are going crazy, we're talking full-moon werewolf crazy, and believe it or not that's fine. People love the holiday season because its fun and it can be for anyone if you let it. Whether it's with a long-term girlfriend or boyfriend, a seasonal fling, or your neighbor down the hall, there are plenty of inexpensive things you can do to keep your cocoa warm and your heart on fire this winter.
Ice skating
So you're not Maxim Afinogenov, or you don't even know who that is, big deal. Throw on a winter cap, dig out some winter gloves, and head down to Rotary Rink in Fountain Plaza downtown and do some skating. If you don't have a car to get there, that's fine, the Amherst Pepsi Center is in easy walking distance from North Campus, and has varied times for open skate. Even if you can't skate remember its basically just walking in weird sliding shoes - you can even use your significant other for balance. Whatever you do, don't get an orange cone for stability help (seriously those are for kids and really uncoordinated people).
Bake some cookies
Honestly for me this one is a bit of a stretch; I actually gather supplies and do non-cooking essential tasks. You know, purchase the roll of cookie dough and a few refreshing beverages. My dates usually just appreciate the fact that I thought of something like this, and they don't mind me having the beers as long as it doesn't interfere with their cooking, and in the end everyone gets cookies.
Snowy driving with Christmas songs
Now, the University Police, the Buffalo Police, and basically everyone with any sense would probably not recommend this. However, I most defiantly would. Find a nice destination, (Niagara Falls always works) pick up your date, and drive through a few decent neighborhoods to gawk at the Christmas lights. Though this has never really been my thing, and I don't really think there is much romantic value in a 10 foot blow-up Santa, but some people really like checking out the lights. However, with a little 102.5 FM Christmas music playing in the background and the snow falling down, some of the nicest conversations I've ever had have occurred with me leading this type of adventure.
Saturday night in
The semester is ending, the bars are packed, and walking to a house party surely entails a case of frostbite. Sounds like it's about time to pull out some blankets, rent "Home Alone," throw on some Hot Chocolate and, if necessary, scroll through the cell phone contact list till you find the right person for company.
Sledding/snowman building
This is one of my favorite winter activities. Though it may require some outdoor gear, building a snowman, (or a snowman and snowwoman holding hands if your risqu?(c)) is borderline intimate. If you've seen "Dumb and Dumber," you can probably imagine the special little bond that can be established by piling some snow into a fake person and finding the flirtatious fun that comes from a playful snowball fight (just take it easy on the hard throws and ice balls). Sledding is a whole other experience, but it couples nicely with the snowman objective, all you have to do is find a hill and you're well on your way.
Just remember, I'm no Dr. Phil, but every holiday season I've found that there is something different in the air. Whether you go out with a new person, or rekindle an old flame, you can capture what it was once like to have some innocent winter fun, and who knows, you may end up standing under the mistletoe with someone special.
