Creative Dating
by April E. Osborn

Running out of date ideas right when you’re supposed to be at the top of your romantic game? Here are some ideas that might spark your dating creativity.

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It’s easy for couples to fall into a slump when it comes to dating, especially after marriage. With so much happening in your day-to-day lives, you can forget to take time to just be a couple. On the other hand, spending time alone together is essential to a happy, fulfilling relationship. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to spice up your dating life. Here are ten great date ideas to get you started.

Wishing Date

Not every date has to cost a fortune—this one can cost as little as 50 cents. Find a fountain that donates its proceeds to a good cause, and take a roll of pennies to throw into it. Take turns wishing with the pennies (turn around, close your eyes, and throw the penny over your head), and talk about what you wished for. If you want to, you can bring a picnic-style dessert, or just pop into a nearby café.

Music Date

Whether your tastes are classical or alternative, it’s almost guaranteed that you can find a concert or show that will fit you just right. Check out the venues in your city and go see a performance. Classical shows can range from world-renowned symphonies or operas to recitals sponsored at your local university. If you’re into popular music, big expensive concerts are not your only option. There are usually quite a few theatres that will book small bands, and the music can be amazing. Look around, research bands, and go to a show that looks promising. Don’t forget to dress the part.

Stargazing Date

Find a planetarium or observatory in your city and go watch the start move through the universe. Almost all planetariums have shows open to the public, and admission is usually only a few dollars. Afterwards, look at the sky outside and look for any of the constellations that you learned about.

Tourist Date

Find a tourist map of your city and see the sights. Go through the map with your date and decide which things interest you most. Most cities have a few good museums to fit just about any taste, but make sure whatever you do is something that interests you both.

Book Date

Go to a bookstore and look at books together. Talk about books that interest you, things you’ve read, and things you want to read. Find a book on questions for couples and ask each other questions while you have dessert at the café.

Dining Date

Put a twist on the classic dinner date. Instead of just going to a restaurant then turning around and going back home, eat each course in a different place. Go downtown where there are lots of restaurants/cafés close together and have appetizers, dinner, and dessert at different places, walking from one restaurant to the next. This will give you a chance to enjoy the fresh air and try some new venues.

Snow Date

If you live in an area that gets lots of snow, take advantage of it. Make a snowman together, make snow angels, or have a snowball fight (maybe do all three), then go home and curl up in front of the fire with some hot cocoa. If you don’t have a lot of snow, going to an ice-skating rink is another option.

Dancing Date

Find a dance club that fits your style (most have different dance styles on different nights—e.g. Latin Thursday, Ballroom Saturday) and cut a rug together. Dancing can be a great way to build trust and learn to move as one. If you want, you can make this a recurring date and take a dance class together.

Camping Date

Pitch a frame tent inside your family room. Turn out the lights, light an electric lantern, then tell stories, play games, and have treats inside. If you have a gas stove, roast marshmallows and make s’mores.

Valentine’s Date

List one hundred things you love about your date and then do one of the following activities:

For the early birds: On the morning of February 14th, get up early and make a candlelight breakfast for your spouse (maybe some heart-shaped pancakes, and don’t forget some music) and put the list in the bedroom where she’ll see it when she gets up.

For the night owls: Before you leave for work, leave your list and a nice outfit (you decide the level of formality) by the door along with an invitation to join you for a night out on the town. Return home all decked out for the night (a bouquet of her favorite flowers or a box of his favorite candy will always go over well), and ring the doorbell before going in. Go to a restaurant with live music and a dance floor.

If money is an issue, make dinner at home and have your own dance, complete with decorations (lighting is key) and some old love songs.

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Ideas for Overachievers

Looking to add a little extra something to your date? Here are a few ways to make your valentine feel extra special.

• Have the waiter at a fancy restaurant bring her gift on a plate instead of dessert (bring dessert later, though).

• After you send flowers, secretly add flowers to the vase every day for a week and include a secret note each time.

• Set up a Valentine’s treasure hunt. Leave clues around the house on Valentine’s Day morning, paying special attention to places and things that are special to you as a couple (photo albums, etc.). Place your Valentine’s gift at the end of the hunt.

• Name a star for your Valentine. StarRegistry.com even has star naming kits. Get a telescope and a star chart and find the star in the night sky.

LDS Living Magazine, Jan/Feb Issue

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