Between packed social calendars, office parties and family gatherings, December is one of the busiest months of the year. But new research from YO! reveals that 51% of couples forget or run out of time to plan one-on-one time over Christmas, while two in five (40%) Brits have cancelled or skipped a date because of festive plans.
To bring some spark back, YO! is launching Spice Cards: a deck of 12 playful questions created with dating expert Vicki Pavitt. Covering everything from first dates to long-term relationships, each question comes with a heat rating, from Mild to Blackout, helping couples ditch the small talk and discover something new about each other.
And Brits could clearly do with a little inspiration. Almost half (46%) of single Brits say dating is harder in December, while 42% admit to having started dating someone, or stayed with someone longer than they wanted, to avoid being single at Christmas. Even making it to Christmas Day together isn’t always a happy ending, with one in five (21%) having received a present from a partner so bad it made them question the relationship.
When it comes to date night itself, Brits aren’t exactly pushing the boat out. Dinner out remains the nation’s go-to (60%), while more than three quarters (77%) of couples admit to repeating the same date-night routine. A quarter (25%) can’t remember the last time they learnt something new about their partner, and almost half (49%) say things have lost their spark at some point. Yet 57% want to bring more excitement into their dating lives.
And because no great date night is complete without good food, YO! is also turning up the heat with its new Sriracha Blackout Christmas menu. Swapping the traditional turkey dinner for a fiery Japanese-inspired feast, the menu features the JFC Sriracha Blackout Feast (£14.95), bringing together Sriracha-dressed chicken katsu, Sriracha Blackout sweet chilli karaage, charred corn ribs with miso mayo and shichimi, fries, YO! slaw and Sriracha Blackout curry sauce.
To celebrate, YO! is hosting Spice Cards Date Nights on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 December across seven restaurants: Westfield Stratford, Bluewater, Birmingham Selfridges, Liverpool One, Aberdeen, Leeds and Sheffield Meadowhall. The first 230 bookings made through YO!’s website will receive a complimentary Sriracha Blackout JFC and a pack of Spice Cards to take home.
Vicki Pavitt, dating expert, said: “With so much going on in December, it’s easy for couples to fall into the same routines or let quality time slip down the priority list. But making time to connect doesn’t have to mean planning an elaborate date night. Sometimes, simply asking each other a question you wouldn’t normally think to ask can open up a whole new conversation. Whether you’ve been getting to know someone new, or have been together for years, a little curiosity can go a long way in keeping the spark alive.”
Samantha Kemp, Group Marketing Director at YO!, said: “We’re all familiar with the usual Christmas dinner, but this year we’re giving Brits something a little different to get stuck into. Our Sriracha Blackout Christmas menu brings together bold Japanese-inspired flavours, from Sriracha-dressed chicken katsu to Sriracha Blackout sweet chilli karaage, with plenty of heat. It’s all about bringing people together over great food, having a bit of fun and making those festive get-togethers a little more exciting. And with Spice Cards on the table, there’s no excuse for date night conversation to run dry!”
Vicki Pavitt’s five tips for keeping the spice alive this December:
- Share a Christmas tradition. What’s the most meaningful part of Christmas for you? Is it decorating the tree, strolling through Christmas markets, watching your favourite festive film, or an alternative tradition that’s special to you, like a Christmas Eve curry or a festive sea swim? Invite someone to share one of those rituals with you and tell them what makes it special.
- Go beyond the small talk. Use the festive season as an opportunity to get to know someone on a deeper level. Ask them what their highlight of the year has been and what they’re looking forward to most in 2027. Ask them about their proudest moments of the year and listen to their response.
- Make affection part of the everyday. Romance isn’t just for date nights or special occasions. It can often be found in the small moments: a compliment, holding hands, a hug after a busy day. These small gestures communicate a message of ‘you matter to me’.
- Tell someone you appreciate them. Surprise someone you love with a note of gratitude and thank them for something they did or said this year. Moments like this can strengthen your connection and create a shared memory.
- Don’t lose yourself in the Christmas rush. And lastly, remember to take a moment that is purely for you. What would fill up your cup over the festive season? Is it putting your feet up, treating yourself to a gift or taking yourself out for a mulled wine? You deserve all the love you pour out to others.
The YO! Spice Cards Date Night is taking place on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd December, with spaces limited to the first 200 bookings. To book your table, head to https://yosushi.com/restaurants/offers/sriracha-blackout-date-night
