Dates for Any Occasion
It's all about first impressions - we know that from dating books, gurus, talk shows and anybody who's ever told us
we made a bad one. But once you've put your best foot forward, it's time to let your date do the talking - and by
your date, I mean the special occasion you've planned for your honey.
The days are long gone when it's the guy's responsibility to plan an outing. Relationships are all about equal
responsibility these days, so whether you're straight, gay, lesbian. doesn't matter, this pertains to you.
The best way to create a lasting memory is to use your brain. Candlelight dinner and a night at the movies is a great
way to show you care, but it's one in a string of standard romantic evenings your special someone is likely to have
shared over the years. Showing how well you know a person is a surefire way to niche out a place for yourself in their
heart, and sidestepping the traditional "laws of dating" will prove your worth keeping around.
Be Romantic
In lieu of candles, why not try a sunset . on the beach . with a picnic. Don't get me wrong. Thinking up a candlelight
dinner and creating the meal from scratch is still high on everyone's "romantic dream date" list, but for that extra
oomph, dig a bit deeper. Get an old fashioned picnic basket and fill it with your special someone's favorite food and
appetizers - could be caviar, could be mac and cheese. The point is it's memorable and required thought. And if the
beach isn't right for you two, perhaps the place you first met or a special outdoors spot for you. Taking the time to
plan something so thoughtful will earn you major bonus points.
Be Spontaneous
When I was a kid, one morning a year, my mom and dad you used to wake us up and tell us we weren't going to school. We were
going to Anaheim, aka Disneyland. It was spur of the moment and from the heart. That was mom and dad, but it's really no
different than dating someone. The intention's the same . so maybe Disneyland is Napa, a night in the city, a late night
harbor cruise, breakfast in bed. You don't have to be elaborate to say I love you, and you also don't need a reason or occasion.
Be Dramatic
On the same token, if you keep it low key and laid back more often than not, maybe a trip on the serious side is in order.
Going all out for a date doesn't necessarily mean you have to max out your credit card. Sure, you can do a five course meal
complete with violins, a horse drawn carriage ride and a midnight flight to Fiji, but cooking the meal followed by a poem you
wrote or violin you played, finding a romantic escape in your neck of the woods neither of you have yet to discover . those
things take just as much skill, if not more. And just think of the cash you'll have saved in the end.
Be Creative
I was working in an upscale design furniture store in college when a man came in and asked if we could put an engagement ring
in an Asian Tansu Dresser he'd just purchased. He was sending his girlfriend on a scavenger hunt which would end at the dresser
with a marriage proposal. He'd spent the whole day planning. That takes talent, and when she said yes, I guarantee it was a
moment she'd never forget. Rack your brain for things that are out of the ordinary. And the don't necessarily need to break
the bank. Use your friends. People have all sorts of jobs these days. Anyone owe you a favor? Travel agents, real estate agents,
spa workers, limo drivers, caterers, restaurateurs, musicians. The "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" approach
is a great value.
Be Nostalgic
Revisiting a favorite place with special memories is always a safe bet, particularly because it shows the moment meant something
to you. Now, the danger is the memories you hold fondly actually happened with another person, so only go this route if you trust
your memory implicitly. If you're certain you have the right someone, be sure to bring up your fond memories. work them into the
evening with specific detail. If that doesn't affirm your devotion, nothing will.
Be Yourself
In the end, there is no better you to be than yourself. I know that sounds very Tony Robbins, but it's true. After all, you're
the one who got the date in the first place, so there's something in you that keeps this one coming back. By all means, be
creative and incorporate elements outside yourself into your date planning. But in the end, they should all be extensions of
you . your thoughts and ideas. That's the best way to know if they're really interested.
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