Let’s talk date night ideas! If you’re anything like me, you probably stick to the typical date nights, dinner and a movie, either because that’s what you’re used to, you’re too lazy to think of or do something else or you really just don’t know what else to do. Well, that’s me and my hubby from time to time. Our date nights usually consist of dinner and a movie and we both agreed to try fun, exciting and different things in 2015. So, I decided to get a jump start and research some date night ideas and why not share that with you?! Some of these ideas of course can be done during the day; get creative!
Goal/Dream Night
This is a free/inexpensive date that you can do right at home! Since it’s fall, I suggest getting your favorite warm drink (i.e. coffee, hot cocoa, chai tea, hot apple cider) and cozy up with your mate to discuss your 1-2 (or more) year plan. You can make it fun by writing down your goals on paper, sealing them in an envelope and opening it one year later to see which goals you’ve accomplished. You can get as creative with this as you’d like, but the overall idea is for you and your mate to spend the evening talking about your dreams and goals together.
Plan A Scavenger Hunt
Think outside the box for this one! Lead your love on a fun/romantic scavenger hunt! Who doesn’t love finding clues and feeling like you’re on your own little adventure?! This can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish to make it!
Have a picnic
Dates don’t have to be reserved for night and a simple, old-fashioned picnic is much more thought-out than a restaurant. Find a local park, pack your lunch, favorite snacks and a blanket and head to the park!
Take an art class
Find a local paint or pottery class and arrange for you and your mate to spend time being artistic. You may be able to find a local paint party.
Visit the zoo or aquarium
If you or your mate (or both of you) love animals, this date would be perfect. What great way to connect in a different way than to learn about animals, check out some of your favorites and just explore a world different from your own!
Meet for breakfast instead of dinner
My hubby and I recently did this! We haven’t had a breakfast date and lately I have been craving one of my favorite restaurants, Panera Bread. He has only been once (I know crazy right?!) so I decided to make this a morning date, pick up some breakfast from Panera to go and come back home and catch up on some of our favorite shows. It was the best date and definitely something different from what we normally do. Also, we didn’t get all dressed up. Just threw on some sweats, made a Panera to-go run and came back home.
Go dancing
This should be fun, especially if neither of you know how to dance. It will be fun to try (and mess up) together! I’ve always wanted to try different types of dancing like salsa, ballroom and swing.
Volunteer
Give back in your community together. Find a local shelter, food bank or animal shelter and volunteer your time.
Make pizza at home
This is so much fun! I LOVE pizza, so making it at home is always a treat. Joe and I have spent a few Saturdays making a pizza together, trying to see who’s would be best. Then we would eat while watching a movie.
Go out at night for an ice cream or frozen yogurt run
Ice cream and/or frozen yogurt is always a yummy treat. If the weather is nice you and your mate can eat your cool treat outside or take a nice walk. The cool night breeze and the stars above you will make this date very special.
Try a new restaurant
Try a restaurant that neither of you have tried and sample different things from the menu. Pretend as if you are food critics preparing a detailed critique. Try as many items as you can and then at the end discuss your favorites, likes and dislikes.
Go on a historical tour of your town together
If you’re in a town you didn’t grown up in, or even if you are in your hometown, try to find something about your area which you’ve never before explored. See what new facts you can learn. Visit your city’s website and see what they have listed as “things to do”.
Dress your mate – go shopping together
This isn’t just ordinary shopping, but switch it up and shop for each other. Pick out a few outfits you think would look good on your mate and have them try it on. You can get creative and pick an outfit that’s a little outside of their comfort zone and have them try it on. Even if you don’t buy any of the clothes you try on, it will still be fun to “dress your mate”.
Go to a comedy show
If you’re like me, then you LOVE to laugh. A comedy show would be perfect. I recently heard about Nephew Tommy’s (from the Steve Harvey Morning Show) comedy tour coming in 2015. See what local comedy shows and/or tours will be in your area and make it a date!
Drive-in movies
Drive-ins are so much fun! This would be a great way to change things up from going to the regular movies. You can get or bring your favorite snacks, blanket and wear comfy clothes.
These are all great night ideas and I know there are many many more fun ideas to try! One great suggestion for maintaining date nights on a monthly basis is to plan out your dates for the year. Yes, I said plan! This can be for married or dating couples. On your anniversary take 12 pieces of paper and divide it between you two, so you each will have 6 pieces of paper. Each of you will write down a date night idea, how much it will cost and where it will take place. Fold up each piece of paper and put them in separate envelopes, so you will have 12 envelopes total. You can place these envelopes in a cute decorated “Date Box” or “Date Jar”. On the first day of each month thereafter, you and your mate will pull out an envelope and whatever date is selected you will do that for the month. It is the job of the person who wrote the date to pick a day of that month for your date, plan it and make sure it occurs. You will continue on with this until you reach your next anniversary (which will be the final date of the 12 months) and start all over again.
Do you have any fun date night/day ideas? What do you do to continue dating in your marriage? I want to hear from you, married or not.
Happy dating 🙂
Until next time…
