DIY Date Night | #Goals

It’s the first day of a new year! And what better way to start it off than with a great DIY date night? This date can be done at pretty much any location at any time. It’s all about having those deep, rich, meaningful conversations—which can happen anywhere! But in case you’re tired of ordering takeout and flipping through Netflix, here are a few fun date ideas…

Basic Date Night Ideas:

  • Try a new restaurant together! Bonus points if you try foreign cuisine and go with the most exotic thing on the menu!
  • Grab your favorite snack, dessert, and drink. Then drive to the closest park or lookout near you! Even if the weather’s bad, you can stay in your car.
  • Take a walk while the sun is setting (grab some hot cocoa if it’s cold)!
  • Get a bunch of googly eyes from a craft store and find places to put them in public downtown!
  • Have a bake-off at home. See who can make the best cookies, cake, etc.
  • Find a place near you to go ice skating!

Now On to the Main Event:

While you’re enjoying your new restaurant or pretty view, it’s time to dig deep and feel connected! Use this list of questions below to set goals for yourself, your spouse, and you as a couple. Even better if you write them down and set a reminder to check it at the end of the year to see what all you accomplished!

  1. What health goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
  2. What financial goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
  3. What work/career goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
  4. What relationship goals do you have for us this year? How can I help us accomplish those goals?
  5. What are three goals I should have that you can help keep me accountable with?
  6. Do you think you’re good at accomplishing goals? Do you think I am?
  7. What can I do to be a better encouragement to you?
  8. What’s the best goal you’ve ever accomplished?
  9. When have you been most proud of me? Of yourself?
  10. If you had to summarize your hopes for this year in one word, what would it be?

Want more ideas for DIY date nights? Check out our full list here!

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DIY Date Night | Let’s Get To A Resolution

New Year’s Day is just around the corner! Now before you make that list of working out more, eating better, and getting more sleep… Have you thought about adding some resolutions for your relationship? This date night will walk you through it!

Supplies:

  • Notebook
  • Pen
  • Dry erase markers (optional)
  • Smartphone or 2021 calendar (optional)

Instructions:

We all know what the average list of resolutions looks like. Work out 5x a week, eat a salad every day, read a certain number of books, get 8 hours of sleep each night… The list goes on. But when it comes to resolutions for your relationship, it might look a little different! Both lists have to do with keeping your physical, mental, and emotional health in shape. Well, these resolutions aren’t much different! Instead, they’re keeping your relational health in shape. So grab that pen and paper, sit by the fireplace or snuggle under some blankets and write out a list of at least 12 resolutions for your relationship you want to accomplish this year.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas to help:

  • Kiss each other good morning, goodbye, and goodnight every day.
  • When conflict gets heated, set a timer for 10 minutes to cool off, then come back to resolve it.
  • Go on 3 date nights per month.
  • Instead of sitting on the couch with our phones, we’ll put the phones down and have a conversation.
  • Do something new together once a month.
  • Call each other once during the workday to check in.
  • Have our friends over once a month.
  • Have 10 minutes every day with no distractions to talk about our days, our thoughts, our feelings, etc.
  • Say “thank you” at least once a day.
  • Speak our assumptions out loud.
  • Do something active together at least 3 times a month.

Take It Up A Level:

Want to make it a little more interesting? Grab that dry erase marker, pick one of your resolutions, and write it on your bathroom mirror. It will be a daily reminder for you both to put the resolution in practice! Then set a reminder on your phone (or write it out on your calendar) to update the resolution on your mirror on the first day of every month next year. By the end of the year, you’ll have formed 12 great habits for your relationship!

Want more ideas for at-home date nights? Check out our huge list of unique, fully planned date nights here!

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DIY Date Night | Christmas Crafting

Get in the holiday spirit and have a merry night to remember at home with your love!

‘Tis the season! Buuuut… Sometimes season might not seem quite as merry as you wish it was. Whether you’re hesitant to even start the process of decorating the house or you’re trying to keep your Christmas cheer on a budget this year, this date night will check all the boxes you need to get you in the spirit! The goal is to get in the mood for a great date night, some Christmas crafting, and making decorations out of things you either already have or can pick up at your next grocery run. Let’s get started!

Instructions:

This date night totally depends on how much you love to craft and how creative you want to be! You can either come up with something on your own, or use one of the ideas below to get you started. Be sure to take a look at the list of conversation starters for this date night!

Ideas to Get You Started:

  • Use an empty toilet paper, paper towel, or wrapping paper roll. Cut it into ½ inch strips. Using glue and some gold or silver paint, make star ornaments for your tree!
  • Grab some ribbon, go on a walk outside and find pine cones, and use little trinkets you have around your house to decorate a wreath.
  • Get a white candle, some ribbon, a black and an orange sharpie, a button, and some glue and turn that candle into a snowman!
  • Make a “snow” garland with cotton balls and fishing line.
  • Use a tomato cage (upside down and ends tied to make a cone shape), garland, and lights to make mini Christmas trees.
  • Put ping pong balls on top of Christmas lights to give them an upgrade.
  • Make your fridge or your front door look like a snowman with some black and orange construction paper, and some fabric for a scarf!
  • Make a cone out of cardboard or poster board. Wrap twine or colored string around it so it’s totally covering it. Paint glue evenly all over the twine. Once it’s dry, separate the paper from the twine and you’ll have a little tree!
  • Combine ½ cup hair conditioner (white) and 3 cups baking soda to make fake snow.

Conversation Starters While You’re On Your Christmas Crafting Date Night:

  • What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?
  • What’s the best memory you have about Christmas?
  • If you were served a 3 course meal tonight, what would you want each course to be?
  • What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
  • Favorite and least favorite Christmas songs?
  • Is there an overrated Christmas side dish?
  • What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
  • What’s one food that you would (or do) hide from me during the holidays?
  • Finish this thought, “It wouldn’t be Christmas without _____.”
  • Do you have a favorite ornament? What is it and why?
  • Are there any traditions you want to start this year?

To see a list of all our DIY date nights, click here!

Image from Unsplash.com

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DIY Date Night: Tree Traditions

Enjoy rockin' around the tree together.

Whether you’re sticking to the “rule” of not putting any Christmas decorations up until after Thanksgiving or you have had your tree up since October, this date night is for you! The Christmas Tree is the centerpiece of many traditions. But why not start a new tradition for it this year? Just pick one of the options below and get started!

If you don’t have your tree up yet…

  • This date night is all about silliness, laughter, and getting to know your love a little deeper!
  • For every ornament you put on the tree, you have to ask one question to your honey. It can be about them, about you, about your relationship, about the world, or anything else.
  • Check out the list of questions below to get you started.

If you already have the tree up…

  • Start a tradition of making ornaments together!
  • To take it up a notch and choose a theme for your ornaments. They can be representative of how the year was, you could do woodland animals, or maybe something about a hobby you share!
  • You can make the ornament using things you have in the house or that you find outside or go to a craft store to pick up some supplies.
  • Check out this long list of ideas to get some inspiration!
  • Use the list of questions below to help spark conversation throughout the date night and help you two connect deeply!

Questions to ask throughout the date night…

  • What’s your favorite Christmas memory?
  • How did your family celebrate Christmas when you were growing up?
  • What traditions from your family do you want to carry on?
  • When did you first know you loved me?
  • When did you last feel cheerful?
  • Would you say our relationship has changed you at all? In what ways?
  • If you could celebrate Christmas with anyone in the world—living or dead—at any location in the world, who and where?
  • How did I first get your attention?
  • What was your favorite Christmas gift so far?
  • What’s the best part of Christmas to you?
  • Do you have any significant memories of us around the holidays?
  • Which is better: Thanksgiving or Christmas?
  • Do you have a favorite ornament?

Want more date night ideas? Check out all of our DIY, virtual date nights, and premium marriage events here!

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DIY Date Night: The Gratitude Capsule

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, gratitude is on many of our minds. Normally the first things we list when being thankful are the roof over our heads, the clothes on our back, or the food on the table. But what does gratitude look like in relationships? This date night will help you find out! It’s all about showing your honey how grateful you are for them, and helping you realize it, too!

Supplies:

  • 1 jar of some sort (Glass or porcelain jar works best!)
  • 2 full sheets of paper, each a different color
  • 2 pens
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Decorations for your jar (optional)
    • Sharpies
    • Stickers
    • DIY decor

Directions:

  • Each person takes one sheet of paper.
  • Either cut or tear the paper into 10 different pieces.
  • Now, without showing your partner, write down 10 reasons why you are grateful for them and/or your relationship. (Use the questions below to spark a little creativity if you get stuck!) 
    • PRO TIP: Start each one with “I’m thankful for…” or “I’m grateful you…” to keep things on the right track.
  • When both of you are done, put the lid on the jar and decorate it if you would like.
  • Place the jar in a prominent place in your house.
  • Over the next 20 days, take turns pulling out one of the papers and read why you’re thankful for each other!
  • When you run out of slips of paper, have another date night and make more!

Questions to Help Spark Creativity:

  • What’s your favorite thing your partner does for you?
  • What’s your favorite memory of your relationship?
  • What is the best thing that has happened to you because of your relationship?
  • What’s one way your partner balances you well?
  • What first made you fall in love with your partner?

Turn this date night into a marriage challenge with our FREE Marriage Guide: 30 Days of Gratitude and Love! Download it here.

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DIY Date Night | Ready, Set, Cook!

Are you and your honey a little competitive?  Or… maybe more than a little? This DIY, at-home date night will be a great one for you! It’s all about connecting with your love while keeping a hint of competition between the two of you. Check it out below!

Supplies:

  • Two paper bags
  • A semi-full to full pantry/refrigerator
  • An hour or two

Directions:

  • Each person grabs a paper bag.
  • Set a timer for 15 minutes.
  • Spend 15 minutes gathering supplies for your partner to use.
  • At the end of the 15 minutes, trade bags.
  • Set another time for 45 minutes.
  • Next, check out your ingredients in your bag! Your job is to cook a meal for your partner using the ingredients in your bag.
  • Each person will get ONE additional ingredient of their choice (spices not included!)

Questions to ask while eating your surprise meal:

  • What is your favorite memory of us?
  • What’s your least favorite memory of us?
  • How would your life be different without me in it?
  • What food reminds you of me?
  • When did you first know that you liked me?
  • What would be the perfect retirement to you?
  • How often should we make a date night happen?
  • If you had to change your career path, what would you do?
  • Where would you travel to if price didn’t matter?
  • What was the happiest you’ve ever felt?

Want more at-home date nights? Check them all out here!

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DIY Date Night: Mystery Dinner

If you’re getting tired of your date nights looking like take-out and a movie on your couch, this DIY date night might be just for you! It’s all about luck, laughter, and serving your partner. This dinner date will be one to remember! Although the date night is simple, the instructions might get a little complicated. Read carefully!

Supplies:

  • A dinner consisting of 8 pieces (Example: drink, napkin, fork, spoon, knife, appetizer, main course, dessert)
  • Five pieces of paper
  • Two pens

Directions:

  1. Take a moment and decide together what each of the 8 pieces of your meal will be. Write it out on a piece of paper for you both to see.
  2. Prepare each piece of your meal and set it to the side, all ready to go.
  3. Each spouse takes one piece of paper. At the top, write your name and “Meal Key.”
  4. Write a list with a blank next to each number as follows: 1. Black, 2. Red, 3. Orange, 4. Yellow, 5. Green, 6. Blue, 7. Indigo, 8. Violet
  5. Next, without your spouse seeing, fill in each line of your key randomly with the 8 dinner pieces, as you defined them earlier.
  6. Now take your second piece of paper. At the top, write your name and “Meal Choices.”
  7. Make a numbered list 1-8. Now, randomly write in one of the previous color options, one on each line. (Black, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet – in random order)
  8. Give your Meal Choices paper to your partner.
  9. Now, use your spouse’s Meal Choices and your own Meal Key to serve your spouse with their choices. The first course will be numbers 1-3, second 4-6, and third 7-8. You might end up with a knife, fork, and spoon for a course – but that’s part of the fun!
  10. Choose together if you get to keep each of the items per course or if they are taken away before the next course.
  11. Throughout your meal, use the questions below to spark conversation and grow closer together!

Questions To Ask During Your Meal:

  • Was this date night fun or stressful for you? Why?
  • Would you say that you like to be in control? Would you say I like to be in control?
  • Do you think I have a healthy response when things are out of my control?
  • How can I help you when things feel out of control?
  • What’s one thing you want to accomplish in the next month? Year? 5 years?
  • How can I help you accomplish those things?
  • Have you seen any growth in me over the last 7 months?
  • How has our relationship changed since the start of COVID?
  • What’s been the hardest part of our relationship so far?
  • What’s been the easiest part of our relationship so far?
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DIY Date Night: Spooky Season

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s time for a spooky season date night! Even if you’re not super into scary stories or haunted houses, these date night ideas can bring you and your honey closer. Check out these date night ideas—and a conversation guide as you go—below!

Questions to Ask On Your Date Night:

  • What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever seen or experienced?
  • Have you ever felt like you could sense a spirit nearby?
  • Do you have any personal ghost stories?
  • What’s your favorite part of Halloween?
  • If you had to pick living next door to a haunted house or camping in a cemetery once a month, which would you choose?
  • Should we start any new Halloween traditions? Or get rid of any we’ve made already?
  • Would you rather only ever be able to wear orange or always have to include skulls as a part of your outfit in some way?

Spooky Season Date Night Ideas:

Scary Movie:

It’s as simple as it sounds! Pick a scary movie—it can be a classic like Frankenstein or something neither of you has seen before—and cuddle up on the couch together! Be sure to have some snacks on hand!

Want to take it to the next level? Grab a laptop and take this movie to a spooky location. A park with a cemetery, an abandoned building, your unfinished basement, or a forest close by are all great locations to get spooked!

Make A Haunted House Together:

Who says decorating cookie houses has to wait two more months?! You can either make your own using a sturdy cookie cut into simple shapes (and icing and decorations!) or buy a kit like this one!

Late Night Picnic:

Nothing says spooky like having a picnic in the dark! And if you’re really brave, take your picnic to the nearest cemetery (be respectful—know your boundaries), abandoned building, or nearby woods!

Murder Mysteries Mayhem:

There are so many podcasts, YouTube channels, and books all about murder mysteries! Pick one out together, listen/watch/read it, and see who can guess who-done-it using any evidence they can find! This date night wouldn’t be complete without some great snacks, too!

Spooky Season with Strangers:

This one might take a little more guts than the rest of them! For this date night, dress up in a scary Halloween costume and go out on the town. Be sure you wear a mask, too! If you don’t have some spooky costumes at home, check out your local thrift store and see if you can help each other build a costume together!

Looking for more great date nights? Check out all our DIY and Live Date Nights here!

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