Creating a Date Night Bucket List: Guest Post by Christina Herr

I am so psyched to introduce another awesome Guest Blogger! I’ve been so extremely blessed to have so many amazing women join in with me to make the month of my [re]Launch truly perfect! I cannot thank them enough!

Today is absolutely no exception. Christina Herr is such a rad chick! Not only is she the voice behind the Laughter Without Fear blog, but she’s been published in Huff Post! How cool is that? #BloggerCrush

Enough gush- check out her awesome Date Night Bucket List ideas!

Although Valentine’s Day is now behind us, there are still the other 364 days of the year in which we should consider the importance of loving on our spouse! Since my husband is deployed right now, the day was just a regular day in my book this year, aside from getting a few small goodies for my children, but normally we really enjoy the act of doing something special for Valentine’s Day, even if it’s just a special date night at home in the event that no babysitters are available. That has definitely been a reality many times! While some might deem it a commercialized excuse to sell more chocolate and flowers, well, frankly, I respectfully disagree! In fact, the history of Valentine’s Day, although it has been debated over the years, is very compelling and has romantic roots, and it can be found here. I just really like any excuse to celebrate our marriage, and to spend at least a few hours with my husband without the kids making messes in our midst and/or shouting at our feet, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year.

I totally understand, life gets so busy, and adding kids to the mix just magnifies the crazy! Sometimes it’s hard to carve out time to focus on just the two of you, but it’s so necessary. As my pastor once put it…”It’s your job to raise your kids and then get them out of your house, but your spouse will still be there with you. Make sure you don’t become strangers while raising your children.” It takes hard work, advance planning, and lots of commitment, but it’s such good advice to follow.

On that note, I wanted to share a fantastic idea that I came across on the blog, A Prioritized Marriage. If you’re anything like my husband and I, we have good intentions with dating, but because, as I said, life gets busy, we finally arrive at our long-anticipated date night only to realize we don’t have anything specific planned! Amberly at A Prioritized Marriage suggests that couples create a Date Night Bucket List, which allows you to get out of the standard dinner and a movie date night routine. I love this idea, because not only does it add variety to your marital dating life, but it also gives you something specific to look forward to!

I have listed 30 Date Night Ideas to get you started with your own Bucket List. There’s something for every budget and circumstance, depending on your availability of funds, child care, and energy level. I know we have had plenty of moments when all three of those things were in short supply! I suggest making a list of at least 10-12 dates for your own list, one for each month of the year, using the ideas listed or of course any other outing (or at-home date) that is a good fit for you and your spouse!

Outdoor Adventures

Take a hike at a local nature trail
Walk on the beach (bonus points if you catch a sunset)
Rent a canoe or kayak and go boating
Play Putt-Putt golf
Have a romantic picnic at the park
Water balloon or water gun fight (Who says that’s just for kids?!)
Visit a zoo
Stargaze
Go geocaching (There are several free apps that help you know how and where to do this!)

At-Home Dates

Board games
Do a puzzle together
Try out a new recipe
Movie and popcorn night
Wii Sports/Just Dance/Karaoke night
Take a trip down memory lane and watch your wedding video or look at photos from the beginning of your relationship
Plan a dream vacation with all of the details
Card games
Bubble bath for 2, I’ll just leave it at that
Watch funny YouTube videos together

On the Town

Attend a concert (so many options with this one, depending on your favorite genre!)
See a play
Visit a museum
Wine tasting
Go to a stand-up comedy show
Attend a local or professional sporting event
Take a painting class
Dinner at your favorite restaurant
Indoor rock climbing gym
Take a dance lesson

Of course, I understand, not ALL of these will be applicable or interesting to ALL couples. My husband, for example, hates to cook, so the “trying a new recipe” would not be a joint effort, and it would just be me making food as usual and him enjoying the fruits of my labor. So that one might not wind up on OUR bucket list! However, now that we have moved back to an area where concert venues are abundant, I would love to go to one with him when he gets back from his deployment. It’s something we did all. the. time at the beginning of our dating relationship, and we haven’t been able to in years. That one will definitely be on our list! The point is to think of some date ideas that work for you guys, that you would look forward to with anticipation and enjoyment.