Have A Great Next Date

First Date

    No one is immune to the nerves of a first date. Perhaps it is two friends getting together or two strangers; there are many things to keep in mind while partaking in a more significant night out.

    The classic ‘dinner and a movie’ is too cliché and should be avoided. It places a barrier between the couple and creates an isolated atmosphere. Many may feel uncomfortable eating next to a stranger or someone they are less familiar with and at a movie there is little to no time for conversation flow.

     A first date should enable two people to introduce themselves, learn about each other, and establish whether a second date is a good or bad idea.

    A first date should be kept very casual and should be comfortable for both parties. No large amounts of money should be spent and there are numerous amounts of free activities in the D.C. area to discover without putting a strain on your wallet!

TAKE ON A SPORT – Try a new sport that you can both enjoy; biking, hiking, skating, swimming, rockclimbing.

LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTION –V isit a museum, art gallery, amusement park, zoo, etc.

NEW ACTIVITY – Together that you are both interested in, but have never done (paint your own pottery).

CASUAL OUTING – Go someplace for casual conversation away from the regular group of friends: a park, coffee shop, smoothie shop, etc.

MINIATURE GOLF COURSE – Miniature golf is a fun way to socialize and goof around. Be aware of a super-competitive personality and be sure to not carry a bag (your partner will not enjoy being your caddy!).

ICE SKATING RINK – Fun to do both indoors and outdoors. Check out outdoor locations in Washington, D.C. or indoors in the City of Fairfax.

Cheap/Free Dates

    After a few weeks, couples tend to land in the doldrums. Fun ideas for activities are easy to think of at first, but then they quickly begin to dwindle away.

    To keep excitement in a relationship, discovering new activities is key. It gets to the point where couples opt not to venture out to fancy dinners every weekend –this pattern tends to cause savings to take a dive.

    Free dates are less stressful on both parties. They are no-brainers and neither has to worry about providing the funds for the day.

PICNIC – Pack a lunch or dinner from your own kitchen. Get creative with the lunch options and locations. A local park is always inviting to picnicers, or for a dinner host a picnic in your backyard.

TREASURE HUNT – Prepare ahead of time. Place clues in locations all around town. It will be fun to drive around and experience the town together.

OLD MOVIE MARATHON – If old movies are not your thing, choose a different theme for your movie night (i.e. sports movies, romance movies, comedy movies etc.). Choose them to reflect your personal interests.

WINDOW SHOPPING – What is better than browsing for items you cannot afford? Don’t let this activity bring you down. It will be more fun than you think. It will let you both enjoy a pleasant walk in the location of your choice while browsing through windows.

SMITHSONIAN – A great option that D.C. provides for students in the Northen Virginia area. A more exciting venture than one would think, there are many interesting exhibits to visit and the museum holds special events often.

Double Date

    To experience a different kind of fun, double dates are always an excellent choice. While in the company of another couple, conversation is kept casual and new conversation topics can be brought up. In addition to learning more about the other couple, it may be another outlet to discover how your “significant other” acts or behaves in a group setting. Perhaps they tend to be more shy in a group, or more outgoing because they feel less pressure to be perfect.

    In terms of economic situations, it is best to understand that the check will be dutch (split evenly). If a group knows eachother quite well, choose cheaper options and get creative.

    Take advantage of a double date before large events such a homecoming or prom. It will make everyone feel less uncomfortable just like seniors Tiffanie Le, Stephen Kim, Frank Romero, and Michelle McNeil.

    Not only will one bond with their date, but create friendships with the couple they are with.

VIDEOGAME NIGHT – Spend an evening with another couple or maybe multiple couples. Compete with games such as Guitar Hero, Madden, or any of the Wii games. Go as far as to host a whole tournament.

GAME NIGHT – Break out the board games! Games like Pictionary, Outburst, Taboo, and Cranium get groups talking and active. Make teams out of the couples present to create a more personal atmosphere.

CLASSIC DINNER AND A MOVIE – Not recommended for a first date, but always a fun option for a group or double date. It is favored in this situation because one does not need to worry about creating a steady conversation flow; others will assist in that.

BOWLING – Gather together with another couple or a few couples and take on the lanes! Try your hand at bowling. It is a fun way to get active and out of the house but it does not hinder the social scene.

CONCERT – Get a few couples together and head over to a concert either at a local club or a larger venue.