MARRIAGE MINISTRY OF NORTH-MAR CHURCH

Are you ready to make regular "date nights" a priority in your relationship?
Three date in three weeks! It's the Date Night Challenge!

Want a few ideas to help you plan your date nights?  Here are a few examples of memorable dates:

• "One evening my husband took me out on a surprise date. My wheels were turning trying to think of what he was up to when we pulled into a coffee shop. We ordered coffee and grabbed a table.
  I figured we would jus sit and chat, catching up on each other's day. To my surprise, he pulled out a stack of 3" x 5" cards and said we were going to play a little game. He had written a question on each card. For example, "What is something your spouse does very well but doesn't know he does well""; "What is your favorite joke?"; "What's a childhood memory you'll never forget?" One of us would pull a card and read the question. Then the other would answer. We took turns reading and answering until we were at the bottom of the stack. We laughed. We dreamed, We reminisced."
  <All this for less than $8.00!>

• "My husband and I have two little ones, so we don't get much time away together. One great way we enjoy couple time is by spending an evening at home with special food and memories. I make some of our favorite finger foods to enjoy after our children go to bed. We lay a blanket on the floor, light a few candles, and watch a home movie (our wedding, kids' birthdays, family vacations. etc.). We also have old photo albums or yearbooks close by to continue the reminiscing and giggling!"
  <All this for less than $10.00!>

• "My husband and I combine the gift cards and various coupons in our wallets to create our own frugal date night. Using what we've accumulated, we map out all the places we can go to spend our gift cards and coupons. Between stops, we enjoy lots of conversations! This is a great way to have a fun date!" <All this: free!>

• "One of my favorite dates is when my husband and I climb onto our roof with some blankets, a radio, and a sweet snack. There, under the stars and moonlight, we can talk, snuggle, and listen to the radio. It is romantic, free, and something we can do anytime, weather permitting." <All this: free!>

• "My husband I share a love for movies. So I came up with an idea that would allow us to go "out" to the movies for almost no money at all. After we've put the kids to bed, we grab the baby monitor and go to the "Driveway Theater." With a warm blanket, a couple of sodas from the fridge and a big bowl of popcorn, we watch a movie on our laptop computer while sitting in our car. We take turns picking the feature presentation from a DVD, Netflix, or Hulu (since we're still in range of our internet connection). In our own driveway, we get to experience everything a real date at the theater has to offer -- with less cost and more privacy." <All this for less than $3.00>

• "With seven children between us, date nights for my husband and me are rare treasures that require creativity and planning. Money is always tight in our large household, so recently I came up with the "Dollar Date." To begin our evening, I suggested a "dollar menu" dinner. We only ordered items that were $1.00, and our total dinner was $6.00! We then went to the local dollar store and purchased two treats to share. After that treasure hunt, we headed to the dollar theater and saw a great movie. We laughed and enjoyed our evening, knowing that we had stayed within our limited budget. And we had treats left over to share with our children when we got home! I love the challenge of planning dates the eliminate the stress of over spending." <All this for less than $15.00>

• "After arranging to send the kids to Grandma's house for the night, I pick up groceries and flowers from the store. While my wife takes a bubble bath, I cook dinner for her and serve it by candlelight. Afterward, we enjoy dancing in our living room or watching a romantic comedy while munching popcorn. Eventually we fall asleep in each other's arms while watching the flicker of the fireplace. It's not elaborate but it's what she likes ... and it hardly costs a thing! <All this for less than $20.00>

Want a few more ideas to jump start your planning?

• Most museums are not overly expensive -- many are even free! The displays give you lots of conversation topics. There are many types of museums: art, ancient art & artifacts, aviation, cultural, entertainment, history, local culture & history, maritime, military, music, railroad, science, space, sports, technology, war, wildlife, etc.

• Visit a nearby, quaint little town.

• Go to a local community theater.

• Cook dinner together by candlelight.

• Remember the early days when you and your spouse were first dating? Recreate the excitement of your first encounter with a date pretending you don't know each other. For example, set a time and place with your date for your "chance" encounter. On the big night, dress to impress before you head out. When at your meeting location, keep an eye out for your love and be ready with some smooth (or corny) pick-up lines. Then, spend the evening flirting and getting to know each other all over again!

• Separately buy each other's favorite appetizers and finger foods. Try to pick foods that hold certain memories about them -- like something you had on your first date or the time your wife was pregnant and craved ice cream. At home, serve the items on little plates on a blanket laid out on the floor. Light candles while you dine, and share memories of your life together according to the food you bought!

• Keep your spouse guessing by turning the date night into a surprise adventure. To begin, make a set of cards (either decorated and written by hand or done on the computer) with on activity listed on each. For example, one could list a movie, and the others could be list a restaurant, a dessert café, or a stop by his or her favorite store to pick out a small treat! Each card would then be sealed in an envelope. Present the envelopes to your date and have them choose one out of your hand. Whatever they pick do it! Repeat the process until all the date options have been chosen.

• Break up the midday gloom with a lunch date with your spouse. Flirt with each other and avoid talking about what needs done at home or work-related issues.

• Add some excitement to your special night by planning a surprise scavenger hunt for your love. Before leaving for work in the morning, give him or her the first clue, and tell them not to open it until they get home or until a certain time. Then, plant their favorite treats, special gifts, and love notes around the house stashed with the next clues, which will eventually indicate the resaturant where you'll be waiting with flowers.