Wintertime around Christmas is the perfect time for festive dates and times to go out. If you have a significant other, here are the most popular places to visit with them.

According to USA Today, the number one winter date idea is ice skating. Whether it is indoors or outdoors, with friends or with family, one of the best places to go skating is at Ice World in Abingdon. Ice skating is an activity that all ages and experiences can do.

While the holidays make it very hard to get time on the ice during the middle of the day, it is not as difficult to get time in the evenings and mornings.

Another very popular winter date idea is to go out for a cup of hot chocolate. The best places for hot chocolate in Maryland are Kilwins Chocolates, Jinji Chocolate, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, and Baltimore Coffee and Tea Co.

Hot cocoa is perfect after a day out in the snow, a day after ice skating, or for just a sweet treat. There are many flavors of hot chocolate, like milk chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint, and caramel.

Freshman Clara Madore has a different idea about what she likes to do with her friends and family.  “I love horseback riding through Christmas lights on a trail.” She also mentioned that she likes to go with her family to enjoy the views and enjoys hot chocolate at the end.

Sophomore Cali Friedel likes the more traditional winter celebrations. She enjoys staying at home and making Christmas cookies with her family. “I like to watch Christmas movies with my friends as well.”

Making gingerbread houses is among one of the most popular activities for the winter. Just about any candy can be put on a gingerbread house. Participants are able to customize their gingerbread houses to however they would like and can buy gingerbread house-making kits at many different stores, like Walmart, Target, Safeway, and Weis.