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
plong22 by plong22 | BLAIRSVILLE, PA
Sep 28, 2011

Instead of dinner and a movie, we really like to reverse it and do bargain movie, shopping, then dinner out. It's really nice to spend the time together doing this.

loveiris by loveiris | SAND SPRINGS, OK
Sep 28, 2011

My husband and I still go on dates even though we have children. I pack a lunch and he gets all the fishing tackle ready. We spend the day hiking, going on a nature walk, have a picnic lunch and fishing. I love to garden and he loves to fish, so we try to make it best for both worlds We bring our camera and take photos so we can remember those days. Sometimes we bring the kids (3 and 4) but try to make special days or them.

Juliebw by Juliebw | Lascassas, TN
Sep 28, 2011

My husband and I got away one afternoon without the kids and we rented a canoe. We rowed out to a little island where we had lunch all by ourselves. We just took our time and enjoyed eachothers company without cell phones or computers, free from any distractions. We had planned ahead of time and brought a small grill and marinated some steaks and cooked everything out on this island. It was so romantic and peaceful.

babybookworm by babybookworm | SALISBURY, MD
Sep 28, 2011

Discover something new in your area. I love jumping in the car with my husband when we can leave our daughter at home with a sitter, and driving around the area, then stopping at a new place we see. We've discovered local wineries, fun gift stores and out-of-the-way restaurants doing this. And we have a lot of fun during the drive, talking, catching up with each other and picking out songs on the iPod to blast through the car speakers!

amweeks by amweeks | Palm Harbor, FL
Sep 28, 2011

Leave the kids at home and go to an amusement park together like in the old days. Skip the kiddie rides... go on the big coasters! Or even go to an indoor amusement arcade & play the video games, play mini golf, ride the go-karts! Be young again!

MissouriDiva by MissouriDiva | Columbia, MO
Sep 28, 2011

I like to do something outdoors for a date. There is a beautiful public garden in my hometown. It is a great place to take a walk. There are plenty of benches to take a seat and enjoy the surroundings. When its more crowded, you get the extra bonus of people watching. Sometimes I like to make up stories to go with the people we see walking in the garden.