Date Night with my Honey is something we rarely do. Sad but true. We never seem to have the time or money to just go out. I was thinking about this and came to the conclusion I should buy a gift card each time I am at the grocery store and make a year worth of dates. I decided to do a little research and came across this little gem on What's up Fagans? web site.
A Year of Dates Gift
I suggest planning twenty-four dates, twelve date nights at home, and twelve date nights out, one of each for every month of the year. Planning out dates eliminates the ever annoying question of “What do you want to do?” and encourages more quality time with the one you love!
Personally, I like going on dates that are more than just dinner and a movie. While I love movies and especially eating out, I don’t think they promote as much of a bonding experience or memory as doing something new and different! Plus, unique dates are fun!
So, I suggest designating at least a few of your date nights (whether at home or out) to trying something new to both of you. Maybe that’s a cooking class, doing stand-up, rock climbing, eating sushi, or taking a dance lesson. Perhaps it’s as simple as going to Open Houses and envisioning your future home together, or going to a local attraction. Whatever they are, be sure to include some in your gift along with your favorite go-to date ideas.
Here are some general date night out ideas:
- Go bowling, go-karting, golfing, to batting cages, or laser-tagging.
- Play a sport together – cycling, Frisbee, catch, running, racquetball, basketball, rock climbing etc.
- Go to a sporting event, concert, or play.
- Check out the local book store and make up a scavenger hunt.
- Volunteer at a nursing home, soup kitchen, or other local charity together.
- Go camping or hiking or to a shooting range.
- Dinner and a movie.
Seasonal Date Night Out Ideas:
- Gardening, garage sales, swimming, or a picnic.
- Ride a hot air balloon.
- State or county fairs or baseball games.
- Watch and light fireworks; have a bonfire; go fishing; grill out with friends or eat ice cream.
- Visit an apple orchard; go on a hayride or to a haunted house.
- Go Christmas caroling; visit a Nativity; go ice skating; build a snowman; go skiing or sledding.
Date Night In
Try to make your date nights at home different and special. When you plan ahead of time, and designate a specific night for your date night at home, it makes it stand out from your regular, normal evenings together. Formally invite your spouse out for that night, even though you won’t be leaving your home. Anticipation will increase the romance as you look forward to a special night together. I’ve been surprised at how much fun you can have at home (after the kids are asleep) if you just put a little effort into it. Below you will find some suggestions for date night-ins.
Some general date night in ideas:
- Slumber Party – Pillows, blankets, fort, popcorn, movie, treats.
- Comedy Night – Mad Libs
, comedian’s Youtube clips, joke books
.
- Game night – video, computer, board, or card.
- Paint a picture together.
- Write (and illustrate) a simple story or read books out loud to each other.
- Have a dance party, or sing/rock out to your favorite songs.
- Do a jigsaw
or Crossword Puzzles
together.
- Cook or bake together or have a cooking challenge (like on TV).
- Have an indoor picnic.
- Make paper airplanes
.
- Plan a future trip (even if FAR in the future).
- Manipulate and edit photos in Photoshop or online.
- Take artistic pictures of things around your home.
Romantic date night in ideas:
- Watch a romantic movie.
- Put on your favorite loves songs, serenade each other, and slow dance.
- Reminisce about meeting, dating, or your wedding by looking at old photos/videos.
- Have a runway show and photo shoot.
- Get super dolled up for each other, and pretend like it’s your first date.
- Spa Treatments! Pamper yourselves and each other.
- Have a candlelight dinner.
Seasonal date night in ideas:
- Decorate eggs, make an Easter bunny cake
, or start a garden together.
- Tell spooky stories, watch scary movies, and turn off all the lights.
- Carve pumpkins
, make hot apple cider
or hot chocolate
.
- Bake Christmas cookies, write Christmas cards, or make paper snowflakes
If none of these ideas strike your fancy, or you aren’t seeing quite what you are looking for, there are tons of websites and blogs out there with hundreds of date night ideas. Do a Google or Pinterest search. The important thing is to just find twenty-four dates that you and your significant other would like to do together for the next year and to plan them out! Be creative and have fun!
What I did for my Year of Dates gift for my husband:
A Year of Dates – Month One Date Nights (Art Themed)
A Year of Dates – Month Two Date Nights (Paris Themed)
A Year of Dates – Month Three Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Four Date Nights (Bookstore Challenge)
A Year of Dates – Month Five Date Nights (Comedy Night In)
A Year of Dates – Month Six Date Nights (You’re My Superman!)
A Year of Dates – Month Seven Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Eight Date Nights (Bowling)
A Year of Dates – Month Nine Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Ten Date Nights (Game Night)
A Year of Dates – Month Eleven Date Nights (Spin the Bottle)
How to present your Year of Dates Gift:
- Color coordinated pieces of paper or sticks in a Mason jar
(i.e. pink=at home; red=out).
- Envelopes
for each month (with ideas and any necessary items for the dates inside)
- A small notebook (coupon style).
- Cards ringed together in the corner.
- A credit card case – Insert paper card stock with the date idea, description, and a little picture on it, like this:
Dating your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend is one of the BEST gifts you can give, because it’s like giving them the gift of your love. I hope your year of dates gift will keep your flame burning bright!
Follow my Marriage Board on Pinterest for more great date ideas and marriage advice!
** Make sure you visit Katelyn Fagan for more awesome ideas!**