This is what Happens when you Brainstorm Valentine Date Ideas
Every couple I know wants a better relationship and nearly every couple I know will admit that they need a better relationship. Most couples know that one of the keys to a better relationship is dating, yet making space in our schedules and putting dating high on the priority list is difficult for a lot of people, especially men. Today I’m hoping to help you with great date ideas!
Love lost? Did you run out of great date ideas?
Several years ago my wife expressed the all-so-familiar-words that millions of men around the world have heard: I need you to romance me. I need to know that I matter in your life and that you want to connect with me. I need you to take me on a date!
Nearly every guy I’ve ever counseled recalls a similar conversation with their girlfriend or wife to me at some point. They’ll say something like, “she needs me to come up with great date ideas all the time and I’m embarrassed that I can’t think of anything.” It’s true, coming up with romantic date ideas might have been easy in the first year of the relationship. But then it is like reality subtly sneaks in and steals all the creative dating juices out of our brains!
Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get creative with your date night. Strapped for cash? Take it from me, cheap Valentine date ideas abound.
After my wife, Harmony, expressed these words to me, I began to brainstorm. This was before high speed internet, so I didn’t even think to Google it! I just started writing down as many unique date ideas as I could possibly think of. The outcome was rather encouraging.
The following is a mash up of my “great date ideas” list and my “inexpensive date ideas” list. Thanks to high-speed internet, I also threw in some cool date ideas from Google. Some of these need good weather, while others can be done during any season (like Valentine’s Day!). I also sprinkled in love connection ideas that aren’t exactly dates, but spark the love emotions (see numbers 11-15).
Finally, consider combining some of these ideas together… you might mash up a seriously awesome date night! You could even choose your date ideas together - a kind of “choose your own date adventure” experience. Keep at it! There’s always hope!
113 Great Date Ideas for the Desperate Lover on Valentine's Day
Go out for breakfast.
Look through old photo albums.
Roast marshmallows around a backyard fire pit.
Take advantage of offers to try out free martial arts or exercise classes.
Volunteer together.
Go out for coffee.
Participate in a local astronomy club's stargazing event.
Go sledding and warm up with hot cocoa afterward.
Look through travel brochures and plan your next vacation (or your dream one).
Hold a movie marathon.
Write a love note (what you love about them, etc.). Go somewhere without them knowing and bury the note. Hold hands while going on a walk and “stumble” upon the place and dig up the note…
Same as above but add (or replace it) with a gift card to your favorite coffee place or restaurant. Say “surprise” this is where we’re going when we get back home.
Write as many “I love you because…” as possible on sticky notes. Wake before them and put them all over their morning routine (bathroom mirror, coffee mug, etc.). Put a letter/card from you where they eat breakfast that asks them on a date.
Same as above but the sticky notes say kind words (You are so quick to forgive, You work so hard for us, You’re an incredibly creative chef, You are intensely beautiful, You are super responsible with money, You are an exceptionally good steward of what we have, You are an amazing mother/father, You put up with so much, Your hair reminds me of a warm safe place…)
10/10 List - this one is risky, but can be very helpful to connect at a deeper and honest level… on one side of paper write down the 10 things you love best about them. On the other side write down the 10 things that drive you crazy about them. They do the same. Share your responses graciously. You could modify this to be a 10/5 list, or 10/2/10 (10 good/2 negative/10 more good), etc.
Go fishing.
Dip fondue. (Cheese and bread and strawberries, marshmallows and pretzels!)
Browse the farmer's market.
Rent a canoe.
Sing in a karaoke bar.
Make a fancy popcorn recipe and eat it while you watch a movie.
Attend a presentation at your local library.
Play cards or board games.
Go for a run.
Snuggle in a backyard hammock.
Cheer on the high school sports team.
Bake cookies.
Take a peek at homes in your community during real estate open houses.
Camp at a state park, which often has lower fees than a privately owned facility.
Drive around to look at holiday lights.
Take a walk in the park.
Cook dinner together.
Go for a scenic drive -- especially nice when the autumn trees are in full color.
Eat takeout by candlelight.
Conduct a taste test. Comings suggests driving to three or four local bakeries, picking up one chocolate chip cookie from each, then tasting and rating them to decide which the best is.
Stroll through a college campus.
Visit a historic site in your area -- admission is usually inexpensive.
Go out for ice cream.
Attend a free concert in the park.
Invite another couple over for a game night.
Go fantasy car shopping. Browse the lots and dream about which ones you'd like to own.
Visit an apple orchard or a you-pick berry farm.
Attend a high school or college play.
Walk hand-in-hand through the downtown streets.
Go bowling.
Fly kites.
Grill a pizza in your backyard.
Massage one another.
Play Frisbee.
Browse a secondhand store for new-to-you treasures.
Head to happy hour. Enjoying a drink or two together won't break the bank.
Play Name 5. Take turns calling out categories and seeing if the person can name five things that fit (five Tom Hanks movies, five pizza toppings, etc.).
Take a yoga class that focuses on relaxing.
Attend a poetry reading -- you might even consider reading your own compositions.
Collect shells at the beach.
Take a bubble bath together.
Have a special dinner at home. After the kids go to bed, dress up for late-night dinner in and bring out the fancy china
See a movie at a drive-in theater.
Play on a playground
Go indoor rock climbing
Do a trial Crossfit week together
Have an alphabet scavenger hunt. Challenge yourselves to kiss in front of an item that starts with each letter of the alphabet.
Browse the stacks at the bookstore or library.
Watch your wedding video.
Visit free- or low-cost museums. Small-town museums often have low admission rates while large, city institutions often have free or pay-what-you-wish hours.
Play 1-on-1 basketball.
Go geocaching.
Play Pokemon Go.
Tackle a household project together.
Drive through ritzy neighborhoods and look at the houses.
Take photos of one another in a scenic location.
Go bird-watching.
Challenge each other to a video game competition.
Browse a home-improvement store and dream about renovations you'd like to make someday.
Draw pictures of one another -- stick figures are allowed!
Pick up a pizza and eat it in the park.
Attend the zoo or the aquarium on a free day.
Read aloud to one another from a book or magazine.
Set up your own wine tasting, with several single-serving bottles.
Have a lunch date. Many restaurants offer lunch-hour specials.
Hike the trails at a nature preserve.
Window shop at the mall. Treat yourselves to a soft pretzel or a giant cookie.
Hit up a used book sale.
Do crosswords or other word puzzles.
Go hunting. If that's not your thing, go wildlife watching.
Test your smarts at a trivia night.
Attend a carnival or town festival.
Go mini golfing.
Set up an indoor picnic.
Ride bicycles.
Take advantage of buy-one-get-one-free meal coupons for local restaurants. Keep an eye out for deals like these in the newspaper, the phone book and online deals sites.
Feed ducks at the pond.
Go swimming -- or just spend time in the hot tub.
Watch the sunset. This can be done from the beach, the hood of your car or your own front porch.
Attend an art fair or art show.
Enroll in a class together. You can find reasonably priced programs through your community college, parks and recreation department or community center.
Browse a flea market.
Dance -- in your living room for free or look into low-cost lesson options.
Binge watch as many episodes of a show you both love as you can in one night.
Watch a concert by your community band or orchestra.
Play racquetball or tennis.
Listen to podcasts.
Go roller skating.
Watch planes take off and land at the airport.
Visit a hobby store to pick out supplies for a project you can work on together, like a vacation scrapbook or a model car.
Play Google Roulette. Involves plugging random words into a search engine and picking an activity from the results.
Build a snowman or a sand castle -- depending on the time of year.
Visit a garden center or arboretum. Make plans for your own landscaping or garden.
Go out for slices of pie.
Go to museum during free time
At home spa – bubble bath, candles, face mask
Arcade night at the local arcade
Video game night
But I need better date ideas immediately!
Just because you didn’t see your favorite inexpensive date idea doesn’t mean it’s not out there. Grab a pen and paper, do some research and start brainstorming yourself! Coming up with meaningful, inexpensive date ideas might be easier than you think!
And then do all of us men a favor and share your Valentine date ideas in the comment section below!
Is it time to focus on couples counseling to spark the love life?
A final important word: if you’re in a difficult season in your relationship please consider getting couples counseling. Not only will it benefit your love for one another, you’ll also be cultivating inner peace for yourself as an individual. Great date ideas is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to improving relationships. There’s so much more to discover to waken your souls to one another! You just might be surprised how effective couples counseling can be! I’m here for you. There’s always hope!