Date Night

I recently came across a great idea for 'Date Night' planning from one of the blogs I read called blissfullyeverafter.  After reading about it, I knew it would be great to try and re-post on my blog.  Because the secret to being a great Mom, is keeping your marriage and relationships alive.  Now, I know not everyone who reads my blog is married, but you can be single, a single parent, married or whatever your status is and still have relationships that need blossoming you can use with this (make one for you and your children to do activities together, make one for you and your best friend that you see once a month, etc.)

Before I got married, I used to nanny and most of the moms would tell me that it's a must, to go on Date Nights with your partner once a week if possible- if not at least once every other week.  Lately my husband and I have not had the time or energy to put into finding a sitter and going on one, which is NOT the point right?  And couples date nights and parties are great, but still not the same thing as spending quality time with your significant other.

As a counselor, I of course believe strongly in nurturing your relationships in your life.  Taking the time to be with your children, and with your spouse and time to yourself is super important.  If any of those are out of balance, then the rest will suffer!

This activity will really force you to realize the importance of spending time with your spouse and dating partner.

How it works:
You can make a Date Night Jar with 3 different price points all color coded.  Then you pick one out of the jar a few days or weeks if it's an overnight stay, so you can plan and get a sitter.  Since it's color coded, you can pick one color depending on what your budget is that week or if you need time to plan.  I have a few ideas below for date ideas, but you can also sit down with your partner and come up with your own ideas you both agree on.

Then you can also make another Date Night Mason Jar of At-Home date nights when you can't get a sitter, your child is sick, or just a last minute date after the kids go to bed. 

Here is what you need to get your dating life back in order:
Mason jar/cup/or something cute to put your date night ideas in

“Tongue suppressor” size popsicle sticks you can buy colored ones on Amazon here Jumbo-Sized Craft Sticks - Pack of 500 - Assorted Colors  or you can use Craft paint or markers to make your own

Ribbon
Scrapbook paper
Permanent Marker
Scissors

HOW TO MAKE YOUR “DATE NIGHT” JAR:

1. You will want your popsicle sticks to be 3 different colors to organize them into categories based on cost. (Or like I mentioned above, you can buy pre-made colored ones, or paint them or use Crayola markers, it may not be pretty but it saves time and messes, or just color code the top of the stick with a color :)

2. Once you paint your sticks you will take you permanent marker and write date night ideas on them based on the cost value associated with the date.  And you can choose whatever colors you want:

Color #1  = $10 and under

Color # 2 = $10-$25

Color # 3 = $25-$50+

Here are some ideas I have gathered from various sources:

Color of Your Choice $10 and under:
Dinner and a movie “He picks”
Dinner and a movie “She picks”
Hiking
Walking around the lake

Coffee date
Garage Sales/Window Shop
Homemade Pizza Night+activity
Cruise in the Car, or 'Out for a Sunday Drive'
Picnic Lunch or Dinner

2nd Color of choice: $10-$25:

Dessert Only Date

Italian Dinner Night out

Mexican Dinner Night Out

Movie Date

Wine Tasting, local place

Burgers or American Cuisine Night Out

Take a Class Together such as a Painting Class

See a Show {play, inexpensive concert, comedy, etc.}

Local Sports Game {even highschool games count!}

3rd Color of Choice $25-$50+:

Beer Tasting+lunch

Wine tasting and lunch
Couples Massage

Concert or show and drinks of his choice

Concert/Show and drinks of her choice

Staycation Hotel stay (using points is even better)!

Her choice (wild card)

His choice (wild card)

Active activity, sports related

Dinner at a nice restaurant

Bed and Breakfast

STAY IN DATES, 4th Color of Choice, OR Make a Separate Mason Jar for These:

Take out dinner and Redbox, eat at nice dining room table with candlelight

Take out Dinner and Game Night

      Italian Night- Italian dinner, Italian Wine, Italian Movie

·        Puzzle & Pizza

·        Netflix TV Show Marathon

·        Living Room Camping

·        Homemade Pizza & Movie

·        Fondue Meal & Movie

·        Movie Marathon

·         “spa” at home date

·         Patio Picnic & Stargazing

·         Candlelit Bath & Champagne

      1,000 piece puzzle and pizza

      Popcorn and a chick-flick

   
     Here are a few other pics I found for ideas from Pinterest:

 Happy Date Night!  Let me know how this works for you, or if you've already tried it before!