I actually don’t have many resolutions this year. 2012 was a bang-up year for me. It included starting this site! So of course it was fantastic. The one little thing I’d love to change for this coming year is to be a bit more adventurous and creative when it comes to dating. Everyone — even dating gurus — can fall into a slump of ordering in, watching a movie and snuggling. And of course there’s nothing wrong with doing that. There’s nothing wrong with doing that a lot. But I’d like to add a few other options in there to mix it up. So here are 10 dates that I’d like to go on in 2013.
1. Cooking lesson
Who couldn’t use a few pointers or new recipes in the kitchen? And there’s obviously a ton of sex appeal with feeding each other the final products. Useful and sexy? Win, win!
2. Food festival
I love kitsch. And what says down-home kitsch more than a food festival? I love the idea of roaming from tent to tent, sampling tasty bites. I’ve seen festivals range from chili cooks-offs to brownie bakes. Find a food festival celebrating an eat that both of you love, and get to tasting.
3. Museum opening
Class it up with a dressy event and a little art. Instead of heading to the theater, go somewhere you two can actually discuss what’s going on. The latest exhibit at the museum or a new gallery opening is perfect for this.
4. App it
We all know that technology is affecting romance and relationships in a major way. Why not take it a step further and let technology pick your date for you? Meet your honey on a street corner and open up a restaurant-finding app. One of you scrolls through options and the other yells stop. Wherever your boo’s finger is pointing, that’s where you’re going.
5. Vino tasting
A lot of wine stores have tasting nights. For a small fee, you can sample several great wines and learn a ton about certain varieties of grapes. Plus, you often get a good discount on wine-to-go after the tasting.
6. $10 challenge
Get thrifty with your dating and cook your man a fancy meal that costs less than $10 a person. It’ll take some digging for the right recipes that use ingredients you already have on hand, but the payoff will be worth it. Literally! And have him join in on the budget fun by asking him to bring a nice bottle of wine for under $10.
7. Bowling
Never underestimate the power of a little friendly competition to get the romantic flirting levels way up. I actually really love bowling… and am pretty dang good. But even if you’re not a fan, you’ve gotta love that this is a physical activity you can do together no matter the weather.
8. Amusement park
This date idea isn’t for the faint of heart. You have to like roller coasters and be ready to spend a long day together. I think this could be really fun though. And I’m close to Disneyland, so I’d totally get those silly ears and make my date take a picture with me.
9. Dance lesson
I love getting physical on dates and really letting the blood start to pump. Dance lessons are a great way to do this. Keep your eye out for Groupon-type deals for dance lessons. There are a ton! That way you can save some dough and still have the fully amazing experience of a private lesson.
10. Martial arts
This one is a little less romantic, but it’s so awesome and I’m so eager to try it that I had to add it on. There are all kinds of martial arts, and not all of them are really violent. I’ve been wanting to try Brazilian dance fighting, which is called capoeira. So that’s probably what I’m going to try.
What’s on your 2013 to-do list — date or non-datey? I want to hear it!
