So you’ve been married awhile, things are getting a bit stale? Time for you to start dating again! Date your mate, and liven up your marriage.

Dating your spouse may seem awkward at first, but make the date a regular part of your weekly schedule and you’ll soon be having fun. Even though the reserved time becomes part of the routine, make sure the actual dates are not.

Dates can fit any size budget or any lifestyle – the more creative you are in planning, the more memorable the date. Think of your spouse’s interests, goals, dreams, hobbies – anything that is special and unique to your loved one, then plan the date keeping those things in mind.

Date ideas

Have a “quarter” date – take one roll of quarters and plan to spend only that $10 on the entire date. Just paying for things with the quarters will make the date memorable. A local miniature golf course is relatively inexpensive; find a game room with pinball or air hockey. Food finds might include a hot dog or taco from a street vendor, the dollar menu from a local drive-thru, or fresh produce from a farmer’s market.

Theme dates are always fun! Choose a theme, then choose activities, meals, locations revolving around that theme. Some ideas might include:

• A Greek (or Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, etc) date – go to a Greek festival, a Greek restaurant, view some Greek art or architecture. For the “jet-setters” out there – take a trip to the country of your choice!
• Book date – visit a variety of book stores (new and used), have a picnic under a tree and read to each other favorite poems or passages of books; go to a book signing or printing museum or library. Start writing a book together.
• An “all new” date – plan to do things or go places that are all new to both of you. Try that new restaurant in town; try a new food.
• Have a rainy day picnic – place a festive vinyl tablecloth on the floor, surround the room with picnic or camping items and enjoy a bucket of chicken or homemade sandwiches.
• A “letter of the alphabet” date – choose a letter of the alphabet go from there. For example, choose the letter “S” – go for a swim, eat spaghetti or steak or squid, go shopping, play shuffleboard. You get the idea.
• Pamper weekend! Get (or give) massages, manicures, pedicures, spa treatments, facials, back scratches, bubble baths. If your budget is limited, this is one that can be done completely at home. Just lock yourselves in the bed and bath, light some candles, put on some soft music and the date begins!

Get in the car and go for a drive, looking at neighborhoods. Try looking at houses that are way out of your reach price wise – it’s fun and healthy to dream. As an “extra” with this, pick up a few house plan magazines and start planning for a “dream” house. Try to find the perfect plan that both of you agree upon. This activity alone can take months of fun and you’ll discover a lot about your mate during the process.

Day trips are always fun way to spend the day! Explore small towns and big cities near your home. Look at historic sites, visit museums, window shop, and try new dining adventures. Even check out neighborhoods, looking for that dream house.

Volunteer together. Get involved in politics, religion or community – donate some of your time and efforts to a cause you both find mutually satisfying.

After dinner one night, take a blanket out to the backyard, turn out all the lights and watch the stars together.

Take a trip to the zoo, amusement park, toy store – be a kid again. Find a nearby state park and explore the activities they have to offer – hiking, boating, fishing, nature discussions and more. Most parks offer a wide variety that will make a date fun and memorable.

Go camping. After the initial costs to buy tent, sleeping bags and supplies, there are minimal costs involved, yet so many options on where and how to camp. Pitch a tent in some campgrounds, and participate in the many activities – some campgrounds offer wine-tasting parties, barbecues, ice cream socials, movie nights and more. Other campgrounds are more primitive and allow you to become one (or two) with nature. Hike a trail, fish for your supper; lie around the campfire and toast marshmallows together. If tenting is too primitive, many campgrounds now have cabins and cottages to rent for your “home away from home” experience.

Enjoy and explore music and the arts together. Attend the opera or ballet, visit a museum or take a ceramics or painting class together. Try it, you might like it!

On the other side of the coin – attend sporting events like baseball, football, soccer, basketball or hockey. Try big league sports, college sports or even little league – just pick a team and root for them. Or to keep things interesting, each of you pick a different team, loser buys dinner! Take up a sport to play, such as tennis, racquet ball or bowling. Take lessons in skiing, surfing, or swimming – whatever you fancy.

With the mind-set of looking for dating opportunities, even a routine trip to the grocery store or a day spent running errands can become a date – but the main focus should be on each other, and not on the chores.

Anniversaries

Anniversaries call for extra-special dates. On “first date” anniversaries, return to restaurants you frequented before you were married. On your wedding anniversary, plan a return to your honeymoon destination. Alternatively, if you didn’t have a honeymoon, take one during your anniversary month. Anniversaries are a good time to renew vows, discuss goals for the future, take an extended romantic vacation and focus solely on each other.

While on these dates, talk about the pleasant memories of the past and dreams of your future together. Look each other in the eyes, hold hands, truly shut out the rest of the world and focus on each other. Togetherness is a great thing. Dating your mate is rewarding and fun!