Active Relationship

Posts Tagged ‘Ideas’

Asking a person out can be stressful enough but once you’ve found someone to agree to going on a date with you, you may find yourself under the immense pressure of planning a first date.  Planning a first date can be stressful because you want everything to go smoothly and you also want to set yourself up for a second date.  The ideal first date offers the couple a chance to get to know each other in a casual atmosphere that doesn’t put too much pressure on them to keep up a constant stream of small talk.  While first dates are the perfect opportunity to get to know someone new, if you are apprehensive about too much conversation on the first date, you can plan a date that focuses more on an activity than on conversation.  This type of date which focuses on a fun filled activity may be beneficial in leading to a second date.  First dates don’t have to be stressful and there are many activities that are perfect for whatever type of first date you are looking to have.

Dinner theater is a perfect no-stress first date idea.  The atmosphere is usually cozy and romantic and provides the perfect blend of conversation and entertainment.  While a traditional dinner date can lead to awkward pauses in the conversation and the stress of juggling dinner and conversation, a dinner theater alleviates this stress because the meal is usually served during the performance.  This allows you to eat your meal without having to worry about small talk.  Intermissions are a great opportunity for the couple to get to know each other and if you have trouble with a conversation starter you can always fall back on talking about the performance.

Another no-stress first date idea is the aquarium or a museum.  The casual atmosphere alleviates the normal pressures of first dates.  There is so much to see and do at these facilities that you will not be lacking things to talk about or do.  You can spend a few hours wandering through the exhibits and really get to know your date.  Be sure to ask questions about what your date likes or doesn’t like about the exhibits.  Being inquisitive will give you a better understanding of your date’s personality.

Theme parks are also a great no-stress first date idea.  Everybody loves the chance to be a kid again and the opportunity to spend a day on thrill rides is a great way to spend a first date.  The long lines give you plenty of time to talk and get to know each other and you may find that every time the conversation starts to wane, you’ve made it to the front of the line and it’s your turn to jump onboard and enjoy the ride.  The exhilaration of thrill rides may loosen inhibitions and bring a couple on a first date closer together.

If you are nervous about conversation, you might want to try the traditional movie and dinner first date.  The movie portion of the date takes the stress of conversation off of your shoulders and afterwards at dinner you have an instant conversation starter.  If you can’t think of anything to talk about, you can always ask her what she thought of the movie to spark up a conversation.  Additionally you may find that after spending a few hours in a theater you already feel closer to your date and conversation comes easier than anticipated.

If conversation is your strong point and you’re are not at all worried about keeping a conversation going a great no-stress date idea for you may be a coffee shop.  This is an environment where there is little to do except talk to your date.  This is perfect for the person who enjoys the art of conversation and is really looking forward to getting to know their date.

A white water rafting trip can be a terrific no-stress date idea.  Well, it may not be completely no-stress as the rapids can get pretty intense but it can be free of dating stress.  Rafting is a fun an adventurous activity where you have the opportunity to bond by working together to navigate your raft through rapids and enjoy the excitement of riding the rapids.  If you are not an experienced rafter, be sure to arrange to have this trip professionally guided so that you are not putting yourself in danger.

Still another no-stress first date idea is to spend some time volunteering.  You can make arrangements for you and your date to spend a few hours volunteering at either a soup kitchen or an animal shelter or any other non-profit organization you like.  This situation gives you a specific task to focus on and takes the stress off of the date.  It also gives you the opportunity to see whether or not your date is interested in helping others or not.  Make sure to check into this activity ahead of time because many places will not allow you to come in to volunteer unless you have completed a short introductory class beforehand.

Taking a course can be another great no-stress first date idea.  Many colleges offer courses on a variety of subjects and you are bound to find one that will be of interest to you.  For example a cooking class might be a fun first date idea.  You will have the opportunity to learn a new skill together and will probably leave at the end of the night with a really tasty dish that you can enjoy together.  Working together will alleviate the stress of a first date and will give you the opportunity to get to know each other in a casual environment.

Many cities offer singles or couples group bike rides or hikes.  Taking advantage of one of these opportunities can lead to a no-stress first date.  These activities can be fun because you are outdoors enjoying nature and you have the opportunity to get some exercise.  These activities also often include scheduled breaks in a scenic location which can be a great time to really talk to your date and get to know them a little.

One final no-stress first date idea is a trip to a fun center that offers mini-golf and arcade games.  Engaging in a game of miniature golf or squaring off by playing some video games is a fun and competitive way to spend your first date.  The activities are lighthearted and fun and introducing the element of competition really loosens people up so you and your date will probably have an easy time getting to know each other.

The key to a successful first date is to plan activities that are fun and entertaining without placing too much pressure on the couple.  Finding relaxing ways to get to know your date will ensure that your first date is a no-stress event that leads to a second date.  A completely no-stress date is one that both parties enjoy and one that allows the couple to engage in a balance of fun activity and meaningful conversation without putting too much emphasis on any one aspect of the date.

We’ve all heard the saying, ‘It’s the thought that counts,’ and this is especially true when giving a gift in a relationship.  Simple gifts given to a loved one, don’t have to be for any reason other than to let them know that you care and are thinking of them and these gifts don’t have to be expensive.  With a little creativeness you can give your loved one a gift that shows how much you love them and value your relationship for under $10.

The key to giving inexpensive gifts is to make sure they are something that the person you are giving the gift to will really cherish and appreciate.  To give a really great inexpensive gift you have to think beyond the generic gifts of perfumed soaps and lotions for women and ties and socks for men.  In giving inexpensive gifts try to personalize the gift to reflect the personality or hobbies of the recipient of the gift.

One inexpensive gift idea for a person who enjoys cooking is a specialty cookbook such as a dessert or ethnic cookbook.  Interesting cook books can often be found in the discount section of book stores for less than $10.  For an additional twist try making one of the dishes in the cookbook yourself and serving it when you present the gift to your loved one.  Your loved one will appreciate the gesture and enjoy sharing the dish with you and will remember that moment fondly when using the cookbook.
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For a sentimental soul, give a gift of personal photos arranged in a photo album in a unique way.  Photo albums can be found for just a few dollars in convenience stores and you can use existing photos to fill the pages.  The key to this gift is to present the photos in an original way.  Try creating a photo album with a theme such as one that documents your relationship from courtship to your current stage or one that highlights the trips you have taken together.

The runner in your life will appreciate an inexpensive stopwatch or pedometer.  While these gadgets can get pricey you can still find models that perform the basic functions for under $10.  This gift lets you know that you are thinking of them and that you understand their hobby.  They will appreciate your interest in their activities.  You can even include a note letting them know you would love to join them for a run one day.

Another inexpensive gift idea is a basket filled with homemade cookies, breads or other goodies.  If you know that your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, invest a few hours of your time to bake up some tasty treats for your loved one just to let them know you are thinking of them.  They will not only enjoy the treat you have prepared but will also appreciate the effort that went into the gift.  If the person you are baking the goodies for is on a special diet, be sure to incorporate their dietary needs into your recipe.

A homemade coupon book is always a welcomed gift and can certainly be made for under $10.  Create coupons on your computer or by hand for services that you know your loved one will enjoy and include a small gift to go with the theme of the coupon book.  For example the man in a relationship where the couple has children could give the woman a bottle of nail polish along with coupons offering his services as a babysitter while she goes out for a manicure with a friend.  She will appreciate that you are sending her out to be pampered while you get a chance to enjoy some time with the kids.  In giving this gift try to think of something your partner will appreciate but won’t splurge on for themselves.

Search the discount DVD bins for ones that are less than $10.  Believe it or not, they are available and you just might find one that would make a great gift for someone you love.  Inexpensive DVDs are often less mainstream and you could use that originality to try something new.  If your partner is always trying to get you to go dancing but you keep refusing, you might find an instructional video on flamenco dancing or square dancing.  Invite your loved one over and try following the video together.

Flowers don’t have to cost a fortune.  You may spend hundreds on red roses for Valentine’s Day but for everyday occasions or for no reason at all, you could stop by your local supermarket and pick up a bouquet of colorful wild flowers from their floral department.  Ditch the cellophane wrapper that the flowers come in and arrange them in a vase yourself or tie them with a pretty ribbon.  Pre-arranged bouquets such as these are often available for under $10.

A CD filled with songs that your loved one enjoys or that have special meaning for you as a couple makes a wonderful and inexpensive gift.  For under $10 you could easily use your computer to assemble a CD of meaningful songs.  You could even create a CD cover that conveys the message you want to send with the CD.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a trip to a local National Park to hike, observe wildlife and enjoy the outdoors so surprise your partner with a day trip to the park.  Entry fees for many National Parks are under $10 and you and your loved one will have the opportunity to spend quality time together.  Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day enjoying nature and each others company.

If your loved one enjoys working out, a jump rope is a gift that you can give them for less than $10.  This inexpensive gift will not only remind them of their childhood but also demonstrate that you understand them and realize that fitness is important in their life.  An even better idea is to buy one for yourself as well and challenge your loved one to a friendly competition.

Gift giving doesn’t have to be expensive and doesn’t have to be for a specific occasion.  Surprise your partner with well thought out gifts that reflect their interests.  With a little creativity you can give your loved one a gift that shows how well you know them and they are in your thoughts every day and you don’t have to spend more than $10 to do so.