Different Kind of Date Ideas

Remember way back when I first bravely blogged about boys and complained just a little a bit about the lack of dates I had actually been on? Not much had changed and I could still probably use just my hands to count the number of dates I had actually been on in over two years of being single. But I found a guy that believes in dates who sweetly asked me one night,

"Aren't those what dates are? Just excuses to see you?" 

I can fill a page of all the dates I've been on with this one guy and I have to give him credit for his creative mind and the ability to think outside the box. He eventually won me over and we figured we should share these ideas. We want Applebee's, "hanging out", and "Bro and a Pizza" (ordering pizza and inviting a girl over to watch a movie with you and your "bro"--roommate, friend, fraternity brother) to be cut out of any dating ideas. Here is a list of dates we have done that can be used whether you are a broke college student, living on a budget, bored of the same old ideas, a busy bee and more!

First word of advice: He called. He actually called me and preferred to make plans that way. It was a breath of fresh air and made an impression.

1. Dinner at a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant 
He isn't a fan of chain restaurants and has now turned me into a snob about it too. But I like it. Usually the hole in the wall places have better food that you can't get anywhere else, unique menu items, and a different atmosphere. Why not try something new? If the place has anything with the concept of 2 for $20, don't go there.

2. Beer at a local pub on a weeknight
This was before he found out I am not much of a beer girl. I ordered a beer I don't mind as much and we relaxed and talked. It wasn't a crowded weekend environment so we were able to hear each other to get to know each other.

3. Wine contest
He picked me up, double checked I am a fan of wine, and took us to a liquor store with a big variety of wines. We were to each pick a wine of our choosing under $20. We went back to his place and tasted each other's wines to see who picked the best one.

4. Coffee
We were two of the busiest students. On days we only had about 20 minutes to spare, we met in the student union, got coffee, and caught up with each other.

5. Dinner at The Brek followed by The Mill
This place was a town over and had fresh steak on the weekends. Probably the best steak I have had! Then we walked down to a hole in the wall bar. It's nice to get out of town and in different places. The drive there and back can be more time to bond and talk.

6. Traditional lunch date
My last semester, I wanted to go to Skyline Dining Hall on campus every Friday. We turned it into a date a few times. It sort of became a tradition, which made it special.

7. A theatre production
We went to a free theatre production on campus on a Friday night. It was a neat performance that was funny and got you thinking.

8. Royals game
I had to go to Kansas City one day, so we made a whole day out of it that ended with the Royals game. I am not a huge fan, but he bought me a cute Royals tank top to fit in and show some spirit, which made it even more fun. He was excited to go and that made me excited too. It was a night game that made for perfect weather!

9. Cooking in
We have cooked numerous meals together and for each other (mainly him doing the cooking!). This can save money and be something fun to do together. It can also be a healthy choice too!

10. Zoo
Emporia kids, Emporia has a free zoo that is quite nice. Get some fresh air and take a walk through it!

11. Bowling and air hockey
We like some competition between us. We made little bets over games of bowling. Winner had to buy the next round of drinks after one and another included buying a bowling alley snack for the other. Air hockey was in the arcade at the bowling alley and we had an intense game that get the adrenaline and competition going!

12. Goodwill board game
We went to Goodwill to look for a board game. They are known to have some classics and off the wall ones. And they are super cheap too! He bought a game for $2 and we sat on the living room floor and played a game together we had never played before.

...

Don't completely shut out movies. If you do dinner and a movie, go to the movie first, so you can talk about it while you eat dinner. If you watch a movie at one of each other's places, wait after a few dates. I also suggest watching a TV series together that you both enjoy. We are both obsessed with Mad Men. He would DVR it and we would watch it together when we were both free.

Girls, for the sake of guys, if he asks you on a date, it is not a marriage proposal. He just might want to get to know you and enjoy some good company. Don't completely shut out someone. Been there, done that. I've heard this complaint before. Maybe they are just excuses?

Thank you Tyler for all the dates and the permission to share them. :)

I hope you try some of these ideas and spice up the dating life. Any other cool date ideas you have done? We LOVE date ideas and always enjoy new ones!

Sparkle & Shine.

Rachel

glitterandthegirlygirl@gmail.com

@theglitterylife

From the Royals game sporting my new Royals tank :)