DIY Date Night | Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?
April is national poetry month! And what better way to celebrate than devoting a date night to your love? This DIY date night will get the two of you swooning over romantic poetry together, and, if you’re feeling bold, writing your own!
Date Night Option 1: Poetry Appreciation
Take a trip to your local library or bookstore (or search online) for a book of poetry or an author you think your spouse would enjoy! You can either check it out of the library, buy it from the bookstore, or find a place to sit wherever you are and spend some time reading together. Maybe even read some of the poems out loud to your partner. (Talk about romantic!)
Date Night Option 2: Poetry Enjoyment
Live in or near a big city? Research some spoken word events near you! Chances are, there are some close by you may have never known about. Even though these events can seem over the top sometimes, it can make for a really great date night with lots to talk about afterward!
Date Night Option 3: Poetry Creation
Now it’s time to make some poetry yourself! Keep in mind, you don’t have to be the world’s best writer to create poetry. You don’t even have to know how to rhyme! All you need are some good tips (check out this list here) and a muse. And that’s what you have your spouse for! Below is a list of topics about your spouse that you can use to write poetry. See how many you can write! (pssst… Need a little extra guidance or inspiration? Here are a few different forms of poetry to consider.)
Topic Examples:
- Physical features of your spouse: eyes, hair, hands
- Personality traits of your spouse: Your favorite thing they do for you, the way they laugh, what made you first fall in love with them
- Your relationship: How you first met, how you balance each other well, the way they make you feel
Want some more DIY date night ideas? Check out our full list of fun, creative date nights here!
Getting bored of your typical takeout and a night in? Check out this date night, a spin on a more classic evening. This date night will get you safely out of the house, enjoying each other’s company, and growing deeper with every moment. And all you need is a car (and even that’s optional) and a bandana!
Supplies:
- A car
- A blindfold/bandana
Instructions:
- Both partners pick three menu items from a favorite restaurant. Don’t tell your honey! (If you need to order ahead from this restaurant, do so before you leave and do a curbside pickup order) [NOTE: Want to spend the full night in? Order delivery instead!]
- Pick one person to drive first. The other person gets in the car blindfolded!
- Go and pick up your food! Then drive to a different location so your spouse can’t see where the food is from. (Pro-tip, bring a blanket along to cover the food so they can’t see the bags/branding!)
- Now, switch roles and pick up the other order!
- Once both orders are picked up (and neither spouse knows where the other person went), you can finish this date night either in the car or back at home.
- One spouse, put the blindfold back on.
- The non-blindfolded person then has to feed their partner the three menu items! Keep the blindfold on until they’ve guessed what they’re eating.
- Switch roles again!
- Once you’ve both guessed all three correctly, put the blindfold down and answer the questions below to take the date night deeper.
Questions To Take It Deeper:
- On a scale of 1-10, how well would you say I know you?
- What’s one thing I can do to be a better listener?
- How can I better express my feelings and emotions to you?
- How have you seen me change since the first time we met?
- What would you say is my biggest strength and weakness?
- Would you say you’re more in love with me now than when we first got together?
- What can we regularly do together to help grow our relationship?
- How have you seen our relationship change since we first got together?
- What’s one thing I might not know about you? (Think abstract & get creative! Fears, weird thoughts, childhood memories, etc.)
- If you and I could go anywhere in the world together for a month (all expenses paid) where would you want to go?
- What’s one thing you’ve missed a lot because of the pandemic?
- How can we keep each other accountable to adapting to our ever-changing world?
Looking for more creative date night ideas? Check out our full page here!
DIY Date Night | Spring Fever
Although spring is right around the corner, many people still feel like they’re in the middle of winter. Whether you’re trapped in the middle of a snowstorm or enjoying some sunny weather, this DIY date night will get you and your love in the springtime mood! Here are a few ideas for what you can do on this date night (pick which one works best for you!), plus a few conversation starters to keep those convos deep, meaningful, and lasting!
Date Idea 1: Grow Old With Me
Supplies:
- Seeds (of any kind! Wildflowers, herbs, veggies, etc.)
- Two pots
- Potting soil
Instructions:
This date night really is as simple as it seems! The goal here is to plant some seeds so that they will grow and bloom (or fruit) by summer. If you’re not much of a green thumb, here’s a great article on what not to do! Once your seeds are planted, be sure to check on them regularly, keep them watered and in sunlight, and watch them grow!
Conversation Starters:
- How have you seen me grow in the past year?
- How do you think you’ve grown in the past year?
- Do you feel like there’s something missing from what you need to grow? (Not getting enough sunlight, water, etc.)
- What do you imagine when you picture us growing old together?
- What’s one thing we can do now to make sure we’re just as in love when we’re old together?
- What can I do to help you grow in the year to come?
- What seeds should we plant in our marriage now to help our relationship bloom/bear fruit later?
Date Idea 2: Spring Cleaning (No really, it’s more fun than it sounds!)
Supplies:
- That one project you’ve been putting off for sooooo long
Instructions:
Sure, this isn’t your typical date night, but who says it can’t be fun? Sometimes doing the most mind-numbing tasks (cleaning out the fridge, organizing that one closet, hanging those pictures you bought 3 months ago…) can turn into a fun memory when you do it with someone you love! Why not try it out? Get with your spouse and decide on 1-3 projects to do on this date night. Then try and make it fun along the way! Be sure to use the conversation starters below to help get the fun going.
Conversation Starters:
- Are there any conversations we need to have that you’ve been putting off?
- Would you say I’m a procrastinator? Whether yes or no, how do you think that affects our relationship?
- Is there anything cluttering our relationship that needs to be cleaned out?
- What’s one thing we can do now to keep things from cluttering our relationship down the road?
- Why do you think it can be so hard to be organized/clean in life?
- Do you consider this a fun date night? Why or why not?
- If you could snap your fingers and have any project (house, work, or other) totally done, what would it be?
Date Idea 3: Paint Your Garden
Supplies:
- Paper
- Finger paint
- Fruits and veggies
Instructions:
Stop repressing that inner 7-year-old and grab some paint! This date night is all about getting creative (and a little messy)! Cut fruits and veggies into shapes to make “stamps” with the paint! For example, if you cut off the base of a bunch of celery, you can use it to make a “flower” shape. Or the top of broccoli can make a sponge-looking pattern. Get creative with it! And when you’re done, you bet that art should be displayed on the fridge!
Conversation Starters:
- If you could choose one art medium to be really talented with, what would you choose?
- What’s one hobby that you would want to pick up? Would you want to do it together?
- If you had to choose a hobby for me to try, what would it be?
- When’s the last time you felt creative?
- Would you say I have an inner child? Why or why not?
- What’s one thing you and I can do together to have fun more regularly?
- What are some ways we can do better about prioritizing play in our relationship?
Date Idea 4: Plan for Adventure
Supplies:
- A computer or phone
- Accountability!
Instructions:
Not really feeling spring yet? That’s okay! What if you planned for it instead? Whether you want to train for a 5k or master your macaroon recipe, you and your partner can put together a plan on how to get there! OR you could even plan for a spring vacation instead. Whatever you choose, talk it through and make it happen!
Conversation Starters:
- What’s one goal you want to accomplish in the next few months?
- In the next year?
- Would you say that I do a good job helping you with your goals?
- How can I be a better support to you when it comes to achieving your goals?
- What’s one way we can be more in tune with each other this spring and help keep each other accountable?
- Do you think I’ve set any unrealistic goals for myself or our relationship?
- Do you consider planning for the future fun? Why or why not?
Looking for more Date Night ideas? Check out all of our FREE date nights here!
10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a great time to get outside the heart-shaped chocolate box and celebrate love and romance in a BIG way! If you want a hand in making this day unique for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place.
These 10 creative ideas will help you connect and play as you set this Valentine’s Day apart from any other date night.
- Alternate notes every hour. Be creative. Chat via text, video, over the phone, face to face, on a mirror, with chalk on the driveway. Use different categories for the notes: sexy, flirty, romantic, funny, silly, memorable, thankful, adoring, etc.
- Homemade Couple’s Selfie Photo Shoot. Jazz it up with the wardrobe. Have multiple wardrobe changes: nightwear, 70s wear, athletic wear, beachwear, warrior outfits, superheroes, etc.
- As a couple, shower someone with love who may not be feelin’ it right now. Write a letter, send flowers, spend time with them, tell stories, and listen to their stories. Your love for each other will grow as you share it with others.
- Re-enact some of your favorite romantic movie scenes. Think Titanic, The Notebook, Dirty Dancing, Jerry Maguire: “You complete me!” Check out YouTube’s Top 20 Most Rewatched Scenes in Romance Movies for ideas. You can even find the screenplay for some of your favorite movies. (Pics or it didn’t happen!)
- Stick romantic Post-it notes on candy that your special someone likes and hide them all over the place. Put them in drawers, cars, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms—anywhere your Valentine might go. They’ll be finding them for days. (Hershey Nuggets work great for chocolate-lovers.)
- Dinner and a Trip Around the World…Virtually. Create a themed meal. Decide “where” you want to go to celebrate, then enjoy the sights and sounds from all over the world without leaving your living room.
- Re-create a meaningful meal you’ve had, or create a new experience. For instance, remember what you ate on your first date? What would you want if you were in Italy? With the internet, you can look up any recipe and make it happen. Share the meal by candlelight or lay out a blanket and make it a picnic.
- Create anticipation. The day before, choose not to see each other. Use that time to create suspense for the next day. Leave notes in unexpected places. Send cryptic messages or deliver a message through a friend. Put a note on their windshield or surprise them with a video/audio message teaser. See how much excitement you can build for each other.
- Write a romantic love story about your relationship (fact or fiction). It may be full of fantasy against the backdrop of common interests like Game of Thrones or Star Wars. Write it, tell it, or record it—but have FUN with it!
- Pick from First Things First’s Do It Yourself (DIY) date nights for a fun, unexpected adventure that’s already planned out for you. It’s. So. Easy!
Though you love your significant other every day (DUH!), go the extra mile this Valentine’s Day and show your special someone how much you love, respect, and value them with these creative ways to celebrate. With just a tiny bit of prep, you can take your relationship up a notch and grow the love you feel for each other.
Related Resources:
- *Bonus: First Things First also offers Virtual Date Night Replays for more creative date nights to celebrate Valentine’s Day together.*
- 5 Dates Every Couple Must Do Before the Big Day
- Your Step-by-Step Guide to Healthy Relationships
- 5 Ways to Have More Fun in Your Life
DIY Date Night | Driving Ms. Date Night
Time for a last-minute date night! Not sure if you want to stay in or go out? With this date night, you get the best of both worlds! Almost the entire date night takes place in the car, so you can get out of the house without going anywhere with lines or crowds. Check it out!
Supplies:
- A packed picnic (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Dessert… It’s totally up to you!)
- A blindfold
- A full tank of gas (unless you want a good story for later!)
- A sense of direction (optional)
Instructions:
This date night is super simple in concept, but you can make it as fun as you want! Here’s how it works.
- Pack a picnic together! This can be as simple or intricate as you would like it to be. Charcuterie board? Go for it. Pick up some snacks and fun drinks on your way? That’s totally fine. Just be sure to grab some pillows and blankets, too!
- Choose who will be the driver first. The other person puts the blindfold on!
- The driver gets to choose the destination, but don’t tell your partner!
- Drive to the chosen destination (you might want to take a different route than normal).
- The blindfolded person then has to guess where you ended up!
- If they get it right, take your picnic and have your date night at that spot.
- If they get it wrong, switch places! The person that was blindfolded gets to choose the next destination, and the previous driver has to be blindfolded and guess where you end up.
- Keep going until one of you guesses the right location! Then pull out that picnic and enjoy the evening together.
- Use the conversation starters below to turn this date night into a memory to last forever!
Conversation Starters:
- If you had to go a week without your phone, what would you miss most about it?
- What was your first impression of me? What kind of person did you think I was?
- If I let you dress me, what would I wear on our next date night?
- What do you think is your best physical feature?
- Would you rather have to always use chopsticks or a spoon?
- What would you do with one week to do anything, all expenses paid?
- Do you see any signs of aging in yourself?
- What are 5 things you’re thankful for?
- Is there an ideal type of party to you?
- If you had to be famous for something, what would you want it to be?
- When’s the last time you cried?
- What’s one thing you wish you were really good at?
- Which board game is your least favorite?
- If you could get away with a crime, would you? What would it be?
- What are two things you’d do if you woke up totally invisible?
- How many slices of pizza are you capable of eating?
- What fashion trend do you wish would come back?
- Would you rather be a hobbit or an elf for 24 hours (costumes included)?
- What’s one thing that men/women do that grosses you out?
- What is the perfect sandwich to you?
Did you know that research shows the happiest couples have 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction? When you think about your daily life with your honey, is this true for you? Well one great way to cash in on those positive interactions is through appreciation! This date night will guide you through how to show appreciation to your love, but also how to keep that habit going throughout the year!
Supplies:
- Sticky notes or small pieces of paper
- Two pens
- A bandana
- A timer (phone works fine)
- Headphones & a device to play music (optional)
The Main Idea:
Appreciation is a huge part of every relationship. But let’s be real, when you’re in the day-in and day-out of everyday life, it can be hard to remember to say “thank you” or “I love it when you…”. But that’s what this date night is for!
The goal is to create a chain reaction of appreciation that will last all year long (and more!). Let’s get started!
- First, each person grab a stack of sticky notes or a pile of about 10-15 pieces of paper.
- Next, without your partner seeing, write one way you are thankful for and/or appreciate your partner on each of the pieces of paper. (Check out the questions below if you get stuck!)
- Now, blindfold one person with the bandana and set a timer for 5 minutes. The non-blindfolded person will then spend those five minutes hiding all of their notes in places that their partner will find them either as they go through their daily routine or as the year goes by (toiletry bag, inside their pillowcase, in the box/bag of their favorite snack, tucked in their swimsuit or winter gloves, etc.)
- Maybe play some music through headphones for the blindfolded spouse so they don’t get any hints of where they might be!
- Once all the notes are hidden, switch roles. Spend another 5 minutes hiding the other partner’s notes!
- When you’re done, spend some time talking through the questions below.
Now here’s the kicker with this appreciation date night. When you find a note that your partner left for you, you have to write and hide one for them to find! That way, the appreciation can keep going on and on forever, if you let it!
Questions If You Get Stuck:
- What’s my favorite thing about my partner?
- What’s one thing my partner does that makes me smile?
- Has there been something they’ve done today that I haven’t thanked them for?
- Is there a responsibility my partner has taken on that I haven’t thanked them for?
- What’s one way my partner is great at recognizing my needs/wants?
- One thing I appreciate most about my partner is…
- One thing my partner does that often goes unnoticed is…
Questions For Conversation After Notes Are Hidden:
- Was it easy or hard for you to come up with things to put on the notes?
- Do you think we currently do a good job of showing appreciation for each other?
- Is there anything specific that you don’t feel appreciated about?
- What’s one thing we can do to make appreciation more of a habit in our relationship?
- Do you think we have a good balance of positive interactions for every negative interaction? (Reference the research in the intro of this date night if needed!)
- Are there currently any roadblocks to showing appreciation to each other?
- Have I ever made you feel unappreciated? How so?
- What’s one thing I can do to show that I appreciate you?
- Often, when responsibilities are expected of each other, they happen without appreciation. Would saying “thank you” for our individual responsibilities (mowing the lawn, feeding the pets, cleaning the bathrooms, managing the finances, etc.) make you feel more connected in our relationship? Why or why not?
Looking for more at-home date night ideas? Check ’em out here!
Welcome to the new year! Now that you’re getting back on track after the holidays, it’s definitely time for a date night. And why not plan some future date nights while you’re at it? During this date night, you and your honey will come up with a couple’s bucket list (that doubles as a memories notebook!) for the year. Here’s how to get started…
Supplies:
- 2 Pens
- A notebook
- Two pieces of brainstorming paper
- A timer
Instructions:
- First, take a moment and talk through the set of questions below. This will get your mind thinking about some great bucket list ideas for your notebook!
- Once all the questions have been answered, set a timer for 5 minutes. Each of you grab one of the pieces of brainstorming paper.
- When the timer starts, write down 10 things you want to do this year with your partner.
- Then, when the timer goes off, come up with 10-20 more things together to add to the lists. (Use the list below if you need some ideas!)
- Now here comes the awesome part… Transfer all of your bucket list into the notebook, but only put 1-2 on each page with a big gap between them.
- Under each bucket list idea, write out these prompts:
- Date Accomplished:
- Rating on a Scale of 1-10:
- What we loved:
- What we didn’t love:
- Best memory from this:
- Now, for each bucket list item you complete, fill out the prompts. You’ll have a whole memory journal by the end of the year!
Questions to Get Started:
- What was your favorite thing we did together last year?
- Was there anything you wish we could have done last year?
- What’s been your favorite thing we’ve ever done together?
- I get most excited with you when we…
- When was the last time you got butterflies because of me?
- How can we bring more new dates/experiences/things into our relationship this year?
- Would you rather spend a day together outside or inside? Do something creative or active? Spontaneous or planned out?
- What are you most looking forward to with me this year?
Example Bucket List Items for When You Get Stuck:
- Go to a park or a downtown area and do a photoshoot of each other
- See the sunrise together
- Get googly eyes and put them on random objects/signs in a public place
- Go on an all-day hike
- Try a new restaurant in the next town over
- Go to a city we’ve never been to
- Choose each other’s meals when out to eat
- Buy a two-person board game we’ve never heard of and play it
- Bake a difficult pastry recipe together (croissant, macarons, baklava, etc.)
- Pretend you’re tourists in your own town
- Go to a coffee shop and ask the barista to make you their favorite drink
Looking for more DIY date night ideas? Check out our library of creative, simple date nights here!
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!
- What health goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
- What financial goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
- What work/career goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
- What relationship goals do you have for us this year? How can I help us accomplish those goals?
- What are three goals I should have that you can help keep me accountable with?
- Do you think you’re good at accomplishing goals? Do you think I am?
- What can I do to be a better encouragement to you?
- What’s the best goal you’ve ever accomplished?
- When have you been most proud of me? Of yourself?
- 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!
