Date Night

		My husband and I have been married for almost seven years now and with two young boys, at time I feel like we've done it all. However, after a little thought and Yahoo Google I realized that there are many more date that we can experience together. Last year for Christmas I gifted my husband with a one year of pre-planned and most importantly pre-paid for dates (Date Night 2011). He was so excited! With a little thought and commitment a date at least twice a month was no longer as impossible as it once seemed.   There are so many resources that one can use to spark up thing in a relationship such as Living Social  Groupon ,and  Fill A Seat.

Date Nights You’ll Both Enjoy:

·         Pick up the ingredients you need to create a fabulous meal at the grocery store and then return home and cook it together.

·         Throw a slumber party for two. Have dinner in bed and have each other for dessert.

·         Plan a movie night. Rent a flick that you’ll BOTH enjoy, make popcorn, and get cozy under the blanket on the couch.

·         Go for a hike or long walk together.

·         Get coffee at your favorite coffee house and just talk to one another.

·         Swim, lounge, and enjoy a day at the beach or pool.

·         Go to a theme park and clutch each other on the scary rides.

·         Perform a duet at a karaoke bar.

·         If you’re adventure seekers, you can go skydiving together.

·         Head to the zoo or museum. Stroll through the exhibits, hold hands, and comment on what you see and learn.

·         Attend a concert and sing out loud to one another. Rocking out – even if you’re more Beethoven than Bon Jovi – is a great stress reliever.

·         Take a sculpting or drawing class together. Or go to one of those stores where you can paint pottery. Your art will give your beloved a new window into your personality.

·         Miniature golf, bowling, pool, or the arcade is always great for some old-fashioned fun and friendly competition.

·         Take a Sleigh ride on a brisk fall or winter evening; pack a snack with hot coffee or coco.

·         Flowers are an eternal symbol of romance. Head to the botanical gardens and learn all about them together.

·         Take a road trip to the city if you live in the country or to the country if you live in the city. Find a romantic Bed and breakfast to lodge in.

Budget Friendly Date Nights

·         Make homemade pizza

·         Check out the local entertainment at a bar, festival, concert in the park.

·         Pick or Catch up on a TV series and rent or view on Netflix $10 mo. Subscription or free trial here (link)

·         Head out to the Dollar Theater and splurge on snacks. We normally wash two or three movies that we’ve been waiting to see.

·         Try brunch and a matinee; fancy restaurants are way more affordable in the a.m.

·         Order up a bucket of fried chicken and head for a drive-in if still available in your city.

·         Dress up your backyard picnic table with a white tablecloth. Add candles or lights, fancy cheese, chocolate and voila: five-star fun!

·         Too cold or wet for an outdoor picnic? Spread a blanket on the floor and have a carpet picnic. (We did this with the kids and everyone had a blast!)

·         Find a happy hour half off appetizers and order a few for your dinner!

·         Grab a basketball and hit the free courts at the park.

·         Sample international or even local food at a city or state fair.

·         Go to the library and page through the coffee-table art books, or any books!

·         Suit up and spend a late afternoon at the indoor pool of the Y.

·         Head to the highest point in town. Spend an early evening watching the twinkling lights turn on.

·         Drive out to a country field or park, lie down and snuggle under the stars.

·         Take a tour of the house you'd (someday) love to own.

Creative Date Night Ideas:

·         Paint coffee mugs at a paint-your-own-pottery place.

·         Get outdoors on a cool windy day and fly a kite.

·         Find a BYOB Painting Class! So much fun!

·         Sign up for a message class.

·         Go out for a night of Salsa dancing

·         Hit a farmers' market and scavenge for your dinner.

·         Get an easy-to-operate remote-control plane, go to a park and take turns trying to avoid the trees.

·         Take a hayride.

·         Hit a flea market and shop interesting finds.

·         Take a tour of garage sales in the ritziest neighborhoods.

·         Don't you just drive each other up the wall sometimes? Prove it — at an indoor climbing gym.

·         Head to an ice skating rink and strap on skates for some icy fun.

·         Poke around an antique shop.

·         Ride the Ferris wheel at a local carnival.

·         Find a fountain and throw in 10 pennies, taking turns making wishes.

·         Write a poem together. Find a creative way to display it, frame it, and exhibit it in your home.

·         Stop at a fancy bakery and pick out a treat for each other.

·         Cook together or take a cooking class.

·         Hold a kiss for one elevator ride. (Even if someone else is riding along)

·         Get up early or stay up all night, to watch the sunrise.

·         Climb a tree together.

·         Head to a batting cage and swing at some balls.

·         Hit the bowling alley.

·         Get in the saddle for a horseback-riding lesson.

·         Hit up a sports bar and cheer on the team…He’ll love you for this if he/she is a sports fanatic.

·         Map out a long bike ride through a local park.

·         Fire up the grill for burgers and sticky s'mores.

·         Play paintball.

·         Check out the action at the nearest racetrack.

·         Take a trip to the golf-ball driving range.

·         Work out your aggression with some co-kickboxing.

Mini Weekend Getaways ($$$!):

·         Book a double massage at a spa.

·         Take a balloon or helicopter ride over your town.

·         Rent a fancy car. Tool around as if you actually own it.

·         Find a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Spend the night someplace where someone else makes the bed and cooks breakfast.

Special Touches that with Add to Your Date Night Experience:

·         Write a quick love note on the bathroom mirror. (we've done this a few times…just make sure it’s not permanent marker)

·         Use sticky notes around the house to say a quick I love you!

·         Stick a napkin note in spouse’s lunch (works if your spouse takes a lunch to work)!

·         Write an encouraging, sweet, short (or steamy) email or text during the day. (double check the number)

·         Hold hands whenever you can. We sometimes forget this simple notion of affection.

·         Make breakfast for him/her (or with him/her) on Saturday or Sunday morning

·         Surprise him/her with a new shirt or something you'll know he'll enjoy (a new book perhaps)

·         Plan a date and take him/her out!

·         Use chivalry...Which is not only for men…Ladies…Say your please and thank you's! My husband and I are in the habit of saying yes mam and yes sir to each other sometimes, because of our kids saying it! Don’t forget to open and close her door….