Post a Favorite Date Idea & Win a Date Night Gift Basket for Two

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Sep 28, 2011

Valentine's Day may be months away but that doesn't mean a great date can't happen tonight, this weekend or this month. Whether you're single, dating or married, it's always a good idea to have a few solid date ideas in your back pocket for the right occasion.

Dinner and a movie is a classic. But even the classics can use an update every once and a while. And, for many of us, a free hour, afternoon or  evening  is incredibly precious. So let's make sure that time is best infused with fun, excitement and a little bit of romance.

The SheSpeaks Team has put together 5 Great Date Ideas that are pretty easy to put into action. But we want to hear from YOU. What date ideas make it on your Top 10 list? What have you dreamed about? Or what great date did a friend go on that you wished someone would do for you? Let's share our Best Date Ideas and create a fantastic resource for SheSpeaks members to turn to whenever a little inspiration is needed.

And your efforts won't go unrewarded. Post a great date idea below and you'll be entered to WIN a Romantic Dinner for Two Gift Basket. A second lucky winner will receive a Picnic Backpack ($50 value) and a third winner will receive a Best Romantic Classics 100 CD.The contest will start Wednesday, September 28th and will end Tuesday, October 4th at midnight EST.

 

5 Date Ideas:

1) Spend an afternoon in an orchard

You probably haven't been to an orchard since you were a kid. Or if you have kids, you haven't enjoyed the experience alone. Take advantage of the fall weather and drive into the country together and pick some fresh fruit, take a hay ride, and get some apple cider. Then go home and bake a pie together!

Not sure how to find your local orchard? Try this website http://www.applejournal.com/trail.htm

2) Bring it Indoors

Sometimes after a long week, the only place you want to be is home. That's ok. Bring the romance indoors. Pick up some delicious dessert, place a blanket and pillows on the living room floor, light some candles, dim the lights and put on some relaxing music. Don't forget to turn the TV and cell phones off and you'll be transported to your own personal paradise.

3. Get your hands dirty

Take a class together! Cooking in the kitchen alone may not be that much fun, but doing it together can be a wonderful exprience. Sign up to make sushi, croissants or chocolate truffles. If you want out of the kitchen, try a pottery or dance class. The point is to get out of the house and try something new... together.

4. Stargaze

A star-lit sky can be incredibly romantic. If you live where the city lights won't get in the way, pack a picnic with wine, cheeses and sweets and find a great place to look up at the stars and enjoy the fresh air before cooler weather arrives. If you're near a city, don't worry. Visit your local planetarium. The view can be just as amazing. To find your local planetarium... http://www.planjam.com/planetarium.html

5. Build something you can play with

Take a trip to your local hobby shop and pick out a project you can work on together. Maybe build a boat, a rocket or a kite and then take it out for a spin once you're finished.

 

Now it's Your turn. Tell us your Great Date Ideas!

And, if you have skills in the kitchen and have great date night recipes to share, please check out and add them to the new Recipes section on the SheSpeaks website. Visit http://www.shespeaks.com/recipes

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Comments
mgw5674 by mgw5674 | Spring, TX
Sep 28, 2011

My husband and I used to have a Monday night ritual when we first started dating. Every week we would order Chinese from this little hole in the wall joint and sit on the couch and watch Heroes and Journey Man. It only lasted for about half a "regular" season, both those shows only ran from August to December that year, but it was nice. Nothing fancy, just guaranteed alone time with good food and decent TV. We could visit and relax, enjoy each other's company without the pressure that usually comes along with dating. I loved Chinese Monday's.

cthmommy by cthmommy | american fork, UT
Sep 28, 2011

Spend s few hours together donating your time at a homeless food shelter, take small gifts to kids at a childrens hospital or cancer center. It feels great to see others smile and blessed by your service and helps you appreciate each other and what you have a little more. Then spend the evening sharing your thoughts about it and how you appreciate & are thankful for one another with an icecream under the stars. jakellcth @ msn.com

jenna63080 by jenna63080 | havelock, NC
Sep 28, 2011

My favorite date was when we went to this pottery painting place and painted a picture frame for my favorite wedding photo then we walked downtown by the water and fed the ducks, and had an amazing dinner at this waterfront restaurant.

wonderfulcolors5 by wonderfulcolors5 | Du Quoin, IL
Sep 28, 2011

We don't really have the money to go on a date so we make time for us at home. We have a 13yr old and a 5yr old at home so money's a little tight. We get them frozen pizza's and put in a movie for them and we go outside and have a bonfire, roast hot dogs, drink some beer and talk. We talk about everything. What is bothering us at the moment, work, old times, the future, what we want to accomplish are hopes and dreams. Remember why we are together, because we love each other and want to be together.

jmlefferson by jmlefferson | VIRGINIA BCH, VA
Sep 28, 2011

I would like to go out to dinner at a nice Seafood Restaurant, have some drinks on the boardwalk and take a walk on the beach. Haven't done that in years since our kids were born!

Mora18 by Mora18 | SANGER, CA
Sep 28, 2011

An On-the-road photo shoot- The husband and I tend to go for mini road trips around the valley! I love this idea because it's the perfect quality time investment. Why not bring a camera along, disposable or not, and have fun taking pictures at every stop? Spot a breath taking scenery, pose with your date and snap away! Pack a lunch to suit both of your liking, a blanket, and have a picnik style lunch. Or why not try a new place for lunch if you come across one? Wherever you decide to go for your mini road trip, bringing a camera just makes the whole date an on the road photo shoot experience! Plus, you'll have something to look back on for memory sake! Literally, so don't forget to say ?cheese"! ;)

qtpie5321 by qtpie5321 | SHOREWOOD, IL
Sep 28, 2011

Anything that we did before our son was born is a great date night in my eyes! Movies in the park, bowling, bike riding, going to estate sales and of course the classic dinner at a great restaurant.

jertaybro by jertaybro | Oviedo, FL
Sep 28, 2011

The perfect date for me and my hubby is a concert, we both have a passion for music and have so much fun seeing live music!

BellaMia by BellaMia | PATASKALA, OH
Sep 28, 2011

I would love to share a date with my hubby dining on a nice candlelight dinner with pasta, feeding each other and sipping on wine. We would then travel to a vineyard, taking in the aroma of the ripe grapes and sample some tasty wines. Then we would take a long walk in the park or along the beach barefoot (squishing the sand between our toes) and watch as the sun sets. Then we would head home to a a romantically candlelit bedroom filled with fresh roses, and soft music. We would give each other an oil body massage, feed each other strawberries and chocolates and then give in to other temptations. Ending with falling asleep in each others arms. :D

sjw414 by sjw414 | Brookhaven, PA
Sep 28, 2011

At this point anything would be a good date. We haven't had a date in i don't know how long because it's a luxury that we can't afford with two little ones at home. So anywhere doing anything that distracted us from thinking about the kids, bills, the house etc. and we could reconnect.

sassyshi by sassyshi | Maineville, OH
Sep 28, 2011

Recently, my boyfriend had some time off of work. He loves to fish, so, he got me a purple fishing pole with all the accessories, and he took me to the lake, we rented a canoe, and we paddled into a little cove. We fished there most of the afternoon together, and then, he found us a spot on the side of the lake with a picnic table. We sat and watched the sunset and talked for hours. It was such a fun time and I love our adventures together. It was simple, but so memorable. It will go down as one of my favorites because he brought me into his world of fishing, but on my level, and he then entered mine, by sharing his heart with me. It was perfect. We have been together a year and a half and I can't wait to see where we are many years from now.

Mlhein74 by Mlhein74 | Seville, OH
Sep 28, 2011

A bonfire on a cool night, couple of drinks and marshmellows after the kids are in bed!

FreeDomFreebies by FreeDomFreebies | The Colony, TX
Sep 28, 2011

My idea of the perfect date is having a whole day together doing special things. I'd love to get a couple's massage together (as we never really relax)! Then I'd love to sit on a patio overlooking the lake/ocean and drinking some really good wine, good food and just talking to my husband. It seems we are so busy, we really need to reconnect and shut out the noise. At night, I'd like to light some candles and snuggle on the couch watching a romantic comedy :)

dinburg by dinburg | ROSEBURG, OR
Sep 28, 2011

Recently for my 60th Birthday my husband went to my favorite florist...he purchased a beautiful arrangement for our dinner table. Earlier in the day he took the flowers to the restaurant as they were waiting for me on the table when we arrived. The arrangement had to be the perfect size so we could talk without the flowers in our way. Had a romantic meal and felt so special after all the planning he had done. Sometimes it's the simple dates that make us feel special. We've been married 26 years.

jazel1129 by jazel1129 | San Jose, CA
Sep 28, 2011

My favorite date was going to the zoo and walking around holding hands. While I enjoy going so much now with the little ones, that date was magical. We laughed so much and talked about everything.