Great Date Ideas

As our bishop, my husband has been encouraging the young men in our ward to plan and ask girls on dates.  One day, after a meeting where he and the boys were coming up with ideas, a young married woman came into his office and noticed their list on the board.  She expressed gratitude that the young men were receiving such instruction!

She explained that the reason she was first interested in her (later-to-be) husband was that he invited her on dates.  "He didn't just ask me to hang out with him or to be part of a group -- he called me up and invited me for a specific activity.  And he called it a date." 

He also treated her well, opening doors for her and considering her needs.  When they broke up for a time and she moved away for a season, she noticed that other young men were more casual and thoughtless.  And when, on a date to an ice cream parlor, her escort failed to anticipate that she might need a spoon when he got one for himself, she realized just what a treasure she had left behind!

A couple of weeks later, this young wife shared a handwritten list of dating ideas with the young men.  Our family had a great time with this list -- and some of these suggestions are already being planned!  While some are specific to our locale, most are available to anyone -- and many are free.  Some of these ideas would be even more fun with multiple couples. 

• Create photo evidence suggesting that you went on an adventure that didn't really happen.
• Take a drive where you can make only right turns.  When you finally get stuck, turn around and try again; or only return using left-hand turns.  Look for something interesting to do on your drive.
• Try to visit as many friends as possible in a two-hour period, and turn as many things upside-down as you can -- without their noticing.  Keep a tally.
• Build a base out of furniture and blankets.  Wage a war with paper airplanes or Nerf dart guns.
• Write a piece of fiction together over hot cocoa.  Ask a stranger or call someone when you get stumped.
• Do a tourist activity in your hometown.
• With your camera and a pair of old boots, make a photo log of a day in the life of the Invisible Man.  Tag Facebook.
• Search for good climbing trees and get as high as you can, then tag Instagram.  Do multiple trees.
• Rent a movie and watch it on mute.  Create your own dialogue.
• Dress up as superheroes (great for October!) and stop at least one petty crime (jaywalking, littering, etc.)
•  Go curling Friday nights at the Olympic Oval.  Bring a group of 6-8.
• Do the Alpine Slide.
• Blow glass at Thanksgiving Point.
• Dessert at the Melting Pot (chocolate fondue) is only $12!
• Ice skating (most fun in a group of 10).
• Make a challenging double chocolate torte (some take setting overnight in the fridge) and make an arrangement to eat it another day.  Or, have her take it home and eat it at her house the next day.  Bring milk!
• Seasonal delights:  do a corn maze, drive up the canyon to look at leaves, drive around and admire Christmas lights.
• Go to an indoor climbing wall -- many have online deals.
• Color Me Mine or other ceramics shops allow you to paint pots and pick them up together another week.
• Buy tiny beads and string them on wires to make bookmarks.
• Using inexpensive white T-shirts, decorate them for one another with fabric paint or Sharpies.
• There are excellent live shows at the Hale Center Theater! 

At the top of her list, our friend noted:  "Remember to be specific!  Pick her up, open ALL doors.  Consider bringing a flower or presenting her mom with some sparkling apple cider."

What will you plan for your next date?