Jeff and I had come from being engaged in a college town- full of dating opportunity... To being Newlyweds thrown into farm country. At the time, there were no movie theaters, or restaurants here (although we currently have one diner that is open part of the week now). So the regular DINNER AND A MOVIE date nights were basically not in existence anymore. I HAD to start learning to be more creative if I wanted our relationship to continue as good as it was.
Date nights are SO essential to a relationship- whether they are full on go out to dinner/show/concert type dates, or snuggling up to a movie on the couch after the kids are in bed. The important part is that you spend time together. I love the saying:
"Marriage is not a noun; it's a verb.
It isn't something you get. It's something you do.
It's the way you love your partner every day".
-Barbara De Angelis
It isn't something you get. It's something you do.
It's the way you love your partner every day".
-Barbara De Angelis
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Jeff and I have a variety of "types of dates" we like to do: Group, a double date, and just the two of us. All three are fun, and give us that time together we need. I'm not an incredible writer, so I thought I'd just share a few ideas that I've done recently, and maybe one will spark and idea...First...
THE GROUP DATE
There are always a lot of fun couples around that want to get out as much as you do. And the great thing is that once you spark the idea of doing a big date- everyone will have so many fun ideas to go off of! Here are a few that we've had fun with:
Hollywood Night
Doesn't everyone have an old formal from those high school days that is sitting in your closet collecting dust? Or doesn't everyone want a super good excuse to actually buy that formal from Goodwill for $5 that just so happens to be your size but you have no real reason to buy it? A few of us put together a surprise party for a friend (the one in bright blue) up at our high school. We went up a few hours before and set up the little theater with Christmas lights and decorations we had at our homes. Not only were the formals dusted off, but the China and Crystal was as well! We had mood music playing, a red carpet to greet us, and a homemade meal put together by everyone. One of the Men is the music teacher at the school, so he was able to let us into the theater. We had a great dinner together, watched a little movie, and played the "Not-so-Newlywed Game".
Doesn't everyone have an old formal from those high school days that is sitting in your closet collecting dust? Or doesn't everyone want a super good excuse to actually buy that formal from Goodwill for $5 that just so happens to be your size but you have no real reason to buy it? A few of us put together a surprise party for a friend (the one in bright blue) up at our high school. We went up a few hours before and set up the little theater with Christmas lights and decorations we had at our homes. Not only were the formals dusted off, but the China and Crystal was as well! We had mood music playing, a red carpet to greet us, and a homemade meal put together by everyone. One of the Men is the music teacher at the school, so he was able to let us into the theater. We had a great dinner together, watched a little movie, and played the "Not-so-Newlywed Game".
Scavenger Hunt Luau
Another idea is to separate for a while- The Men together, and the Women together. On this date, we sent the men out on a scavenger hunt. We would give them poems that would describe a place to drive, and they had to get there to get the next clue. At each stop, there were articles of clothing (Hawaiian shirt, hat). There was also a stop with a few dollar bills to buy some Hawaiian Punch at the next place. While they were off on their hunt, the ladies made some quick Hawaiian style pizza, and went up to the baseball diamond that looks over the town. We set up a luau as fast as we could, turned on some music, and were ready for them when they arrived. We ate and danced under the stars.
Another idea is to separate for a while- The Men together, and the Women together. On this date, we sent the men out on a scavenger hunt. We would give them poems that would describe a place to drive, and they had to get there to get the next clue. At each stop, there were articles of clothing (Hawaiian shirt, hat). There was also a stop with a few dollar bills to buy some Hawaiian Punch at the next place. While they were off on their hunt, the ladies made some quick Hawaiian style pizza, and went up to the baseball diamond that looks over the town. We set up a luau as fast as we could, turned on some music, and were ready for them when they arrived. We ate and danced under the stars.
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Next...
THE DOUBLE DATE
It's really easy to plan something with just two couples. Jeff and I have a lot of fun conversations with other couples this way. It's so interesting what you learn about others when the conversation is led in a smaller setting.
Next...
THE DOUBLE DATE
It's really easy to plan something with just two couples. Jeff and I have a lot of fun conversations with other couples this way. It's so interesting what you learn about others when the conversation is led in a smaller setting.
"Country Lovin' " Man date
My friend and I have husbands that have birthdays very close! We decided to plan a "Man date" for them. We constantly had them in mind when trying to come up with what to do. These great guys we all have most likely don't mind the lovey dovey stuff... but they will definitely appreciate a Manly theme once in a while.
We first took them on a four-wheeler ride. (A great thing about being in a small town is we can ride ATV's anywhere we want!) When we arrived to a fun location, we separated into couples and started a Photo Scavenger Hunt. We had to take pictures of both of us together doing everything on the list. As soon as we finished all of the pictures, we met back up and rode over to the "Old Rock Church" that sits empty all the time. The city let us in for free! We had a great man dinner of Steak, corn on the cob, and root beer all set up ready to cook. During dinner we watched a slide show we made for the guys, and also looked at the pictures taken from earlier that day.
My friend and I have husbands that have birthdays very close! We decided to plan a "Man date" for them. We constantly had them in mind when trying to come up with what to do. These great guys we all have most likely don't mind the lovey dovey stuff... but they will definitely appreciate a Manly theme once in a while.
We first took them on a four-wheeler ride. (A great thing about being in a small town is we can ride ATV's anywhere we want!) When we arrived to a fun location, we separated into couples and started a Photo Scavenger Hunt. We had to take pictures of both of us together doing everything on the list. As soon as we finished all of the pictures, we met back up and rode over to the "Old Rock Church" that sits empty all the time. The city let us in for free! We had a great man dinner of Steak, corn on the cob, and root beer all set up ready to cook. During dinner we watched a slide show we made for the guys, and also looked at the pictures taken from earlier that day.
Japanese Style
My husband is in the middle of getting his Master's degree while teaching school. That, along with two busy kids, and everyday life... It get's hard to get away sometimes. So we decided this year to have a few "Stay-cations" right here in town. We don't need to get on an actual plane to have cultural refinement! :) This could easily be just a date alone, like I said earlier- it's so interesting what you find out from another couple. We learned lots of fun facts about Asian culture that we didn't know before from them!
This last weekend we "traveled" to Japan... which ended up being right in our front room. Don't be afraid to move around a little furniture to create a fun atmosphere! I went over to Panda express and they gave me a few pairs of chopsticks and fortune cookies for free. Then I looked up some fun recipes online, raided my fabric scraps, grabbed a few things at the dollar store, and cut up a plastic table cloth to create some visual fun. I must confess that I've never been brave enough to try real Sushi. And in our little market in town, there aren't many ingredients to make it ourselves. So I decided to try Dessert Sushi instead with things I had access too.
My husband is in the middle of getting his Master's degree while teaching school. That, along with two busy kids, and everyday life... It get's hard to get away sometimes. So we decided this year to have a few "Stay-cations" right here in town. We don't need to get on an actual plane to have cultural refinement! :) This could easily be just a date alone, like I said earlier- it's so interesting what you find out from another couple. We learned lots of fun facts about Asian culture that we didn't know before from them!
This last weekend we "traveled" to Japan... which ended up being right in our front room. Don't be afraid to move around a little furniture to create a fun atmosphere! I went over to Panda express and they gave me a few pairs of chopsticks and fortune cookies for free. Then I looked up some fun recipes online, raided my fabric scraps, grabbed a few things at the dollar store, and cut up a plastic table cloth to create some visual fun. I must confess that I've never been brave enough to try real Sushi. And in our little market in town, there aren't many ingredients to make it ourselves. So I decided to try Dessert Sushi instead with things I had access too.
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And Finally...
JUST THE TWO OF US
This really is the most important. You should always be working at falling in love all over again. It has helped Jeff and I so much to get out with other couples and have that fun... but nothing is as great as just spending time together and remembering why we came together in the first place.
We DO try the occasional "Dinner and Movie" thing when we're out of town... But it's not that often since we don't have resources close. Like I've done with the group/double dates... changing an ordinary place into a "restaurant" is so much fun. Many times, we've just brought a picnic or ran to Subway, and then hopped back in the car to just drive. When we find a place with a great view, we stop and have that great meal together. And don't just limit it to dinner time. Wake up a little early and make breakfast together. Or see if a friend can watch the kids for an hour and surprise him for Lunch.
We also have a lot of fun movie nights on Netflix where we take turns picking a movie. To make it more special- draw up or print out a pretend ticket and stick it in his Wallet or Car in the morning to he knows what to plan on that night.
We also love to save dessert for the evening after the kids are asleep. We have some great conversations together while dunking Oreos in milk... :)
And of course we can't leave out the REAL "dessert" after the kids go to bed. Don't stop being creative here! Doing a few extra things once in a while can change things up a little bit.
I found a great blog a while back called "Love, Actually" with some great ideas and printouts. It just takes a little planning and effort. (Check out the "Ideas" tab and scroll down after clicking on the "date night" button) Some of them I had done before a little differently- like this one. Others were a little out of my comfort zone at first, but fun! Let lose! :)
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A few Tips:
*A date does NOT need to be expensive. All the dates above were about $10 or less (FREE) including food... Seriously!*If you DO happen to live in a bigger city, there are so many options! Look in the paper or fliers around town. There are so many events like Art Festivals, Cook-offs, Concerts in the Park, Etc... that all happen for free. Whatever your interests are- look for things that are happening in those categories. Also- go to a car dealership and take a test drive in your dream car!
*Use your resources around you. Are there places you have connections with? I've used the high school for a few dates (after asking the principal of course) with just Jeff and I and group dates since I used to have a key, and now have friends that have one. Also there are some empty places around that are available for use for free. There's always the church!
*Trade babysitting with other couples around. They would enjoy a night out just as much as you would- and by working together, it eliminates the babysitter cost.
* It's all about the theme! It makes it so much easier to plan! Take something and run with it!
*Take turns planning dates. Once you put the effort into fun planning, your husband will want in too! He might surprise you with what he has up his sleeve!
*Check out the "real professionals" who have actual dating blogs! There are SO many fun ideas out there. A few I like to look at is the Love, Actually Blog (mentioned previously), and The Dating Diva's.
*Not all dates need to be extravagant. Just make sure to take the time for each other- even if it means scheduling it in your planner the month before. :)
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Thanks Jess for letting me do this. It was fun to think about some of these fun nights again. Now I better get going on planning my next date! Hope you have some ideas starting now as well!
Over and out...
Thanks Jess for letting me do this. It was fun to think about some of these fun nights again. Now I better get going on planning my next date! Hope you have some ideas starting now as well!
Over and out...
Awesome, awesome, awesome, Jenna!!!! Thank you SO much for these ideas and for getting my creative juices flowing! Tonight's Valentines Date Theme: Some of Drew's favorite things. Jeopardy Challenge (Jeopardy Wii game), Diet Cherry 7-Up, Peanut M&M's, and popcorn. (and that's just the beginning of the fun! *wink, wink*)
ReplyDeleteOh yes and you MUST try Sushi! I'm not a big fan of the fish kind (only because the only fish I like to eat is Salmon), but I do love me and California roll now and then. :)
ReplyDelete