Get a head start on holiday fun with these November activities! There’s so much to look forward to—Black Friday shopping, Thanksgiving, cool weather, and cozy sweater season! Try a few of these festive activities with your friends, family, or romantic partner and make the sweetest memories. November is the perfect time to do some end-of-fall closet cleaning (to make room for Christmas shopping), indulge in self-care, and start a new holiday tradition with your S.O. These winter activity ideas will get you excited for the months ahead!  

Host a football party for friends.

November means football is in full swing! Kickoff your winter fun with a football party for friends. This event could also double as a Friendsgiving party. Serve a tray of barbeque turkey sandwich sliders and sides of tater tots, stuffing muffins, deviled eggs, and sweet potato hand pies.  

Clean out your closet.

We’ve all heard about spring cleaning, but what about an end-of-fall clean-out? In early November, before holiday shopping begins, consider cleaning up your spaces. Find items you are no longer using and donate anything in excellent condition to your local thrift store. It’s the perfect time to hand off unused sweaters or coats to someone who will give them a loving second-hand home.  

Start holiday shopping.

It might seem early, but Black Friday weekend offers the best shopping deals! Shop online and find a sweet gift for your romantic partner. A personalized gift like Book of Us tells your love story on every page. Customize pages with loving messages and inside jokes, to make this an unforgettable holiday gift! 

Make chili and watch holiday movies.

Get cozy with a warm bowl of chili and a movie! Holiday movies will get you in the festive spirit. Our favorites include When Harry Met Sally, Holidate, You’ve Got Mail, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and every Friends Thanksgiving episode.  

Host a soup exchange party.

Cool November days mean it’s finally soup season! You’ve probably participated in a cookie exchange or even a pie exchange—but how about an exchange that’s all about varieties of soup? Ask each friend to make a unique soup and divide it into take-away containers for each person. Pick a weekend to exchange soups and you’ll have 5 or 6 varieties of soup in your fridge for every night of the week! 

Start a gratitude journal.

Begin every November morning with gratitude journal practice. Expressing gratitude can help boost your mental health, by improving your mood and lessening stress. When you express gratitude for things around you (big and small), you focus on the good and see things more optimistically. Begin a gratitude routine today that will have lifelong effects for a brighter future!  

Enjoy a cold-weather activity.

If you live in a cold-weather state, plan a day of ice skating, snowboarding, sledding, or tubing. These are perfect activities to do alone or with a partner. Plus, you’ll combine fun with exercise! Don’t forget to end the day with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider.  

Plan a game night.

Play your favorite board games all night long—with plenty of snacks! This activity is ideal for an especially cold day, so you can spend cozy time inside. Turn this into a fun date night or host a board game party with family.  

Participate in a Turkey Trot.

Get your steps in and join a race that gives back to a worthy cause! Find the closest turkey trot near you and encourage your S.O. or friends to join you. Even if you aren’t a runner, this event is a fun way to make holiday memories and try something new!  

Plan a “never have I ever” day date with your partner.

Do activities that neither of you have done before! Maybe it’s an at-home activity like baking a homemade sweet potato pie or an outdoor outing like skiing. As you try new things, you’ll grow closer together in your relationship. Day dates are the best when they are filled with laughter and joy!