Okay, now you could blow a years wages on one night out, or you could just hold on there, and enjoy something very impressive together without laying out a fortune.  Here is a list of ten great date ideas.

1.  Cook them dinner.  Okay, now you could take them out for a meal, but how about attempting to emulate somewhere fancy, but without the other diners.  Think about what they like to eat, search the internet for a recipe or two, and start preparing.  Some hints here might be to pack the kids off to the inlaws so you have the house to yourself, atmosphere is everything – so do vacuam and splash out on some fresh flowers for the table.  Start small, and work up, but don’t over do it – you don’t want your guest to fall asleep from all that stodge.  And for heavens sake, plan ahead and choose things that are easily completed…so you’re not spending all night in the kitchen.  Ideas here include starting with a soup (you can make this simply by throwing a whole heap of vegies in the pot and adding water and leaving to simmer) – which you can prepare days or weeks in advance and can simply heat up.  For mains how about stir fry some vegies and lean meat in garlic and ginger and throw in some noodles at the end along with some sweet soy sauce.  And serve a delicious lemon tart for dessert (You can buy this).  Choose a nice wine to go with it, and put on their favourite music. 

2.  Take them for a drive where there’s a view, and stop somewhere for a picnic.  This is really so very simple.  You could even pack a small bottle of champagne.  Some fresh fruits, some cheese, some dry biscuits, some cold meats or a roast chicken, some lettuce leaves, some dips, arrange a small smorgasbord and remember to pack three essentials:  1.  Picnic blanket.  2.  Paper towel to wipe your hands with.  3.  Warm coat/sunscreen/hat.  If you’re the one sending yourselves off on this adventure, then it’s your responsibility buster!

3.  Try an adventure sport together.  Okay, now some of these might well cost money, but others wont.  Ice skating, rollerskating, rowing a boat on the river, rock climbing (there are indoor centres)…try something together, it will make you work as a team and bond even more.  Plus, the energy you get from raising your adrenalin levels will enhance your sex drive.

4.  Go to an art gallery.  There should be a guide in your city as to what exhibitions are on.  Why not take your date on a tour of some of these…sure you might see some truly strange things, but then again you might find something that gets you talking…all the way home where you can begin to create something magical yourselves

5.  Design a date itinerary (such as meet for coffee at alley cafe, then proceed to art gallery up that flight of stairs, then finish with a bevvy at the bar looking over the river) and write it down on a piece of paper, address it as a formal business letter, and have a courier service deliver it to your loved one at work.  They will start out thinking it is something serious, but then discover it’s you planning an ocassion.  Big smiles for this one!

6.  Make them breakfast in bed, make sure you do the dishes, hand them the papers at the same time, then keep rolling with the day…devote all of your energies to your loved one until the moment you fall asleep at the end of it.  If you can occupy her day, all day, with activities all designed for her pleasure…you will be remembered.  Sure, she may have been planning a quiet day at home to catch up with her knitting…but that’s another story.

7.  Play a board game and mix them a special drink.  Okay, got a board game?  Go get one.  Now search internet for some mixed drinks that don’t require too much equipment like shakers and blenders and stuff.  Now get the ingredients and set up a small board game cocktail lounge at home.  Wear a collar, shave, and serve your loved one up a sweet (albeit competitive) challenge.

8.  Get tickets to the filming of a tv show.  Just ring the TV networks near you and ask, they are always looking for audiences.  You could meet a celebrity…or at least get close enough to see that their perfect skin and teeth aren’t so very flawless after all!

9.  Get fish and chips and eat them on a blanket on the beach.  Take a blanket to lie on…and perhaps try and get a spot where there are ships coming in, and not too many people around…dusk is always a pretty good time.  If you can manage it take along some Wet Ones or paper towel…nobody likes a greasy paw pawing them…

10.  Take yourselves off to a day spa together.  Try and choose somewhere you wouldn’t normally go…like in the hills or somewhere with an unusual style.  Do this and if its good you can relax together afterwards…if it’s just plain strange then you can laugh about that strange little man who wanted to pummel you with warm river rocks and paint purple mud on your eyelids…

HINT:  Remember to make the bed and do the dishes before you go out, so you can cruise on in later and there aren’t any immediately obvious chores to contend with which would just spoil everything now wouldn’t it? 

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