One of my best friends since middle school, Amanda, just celebrated her one year wedding anniversary on September 22. Sadly, I couldn’t be at the wedding because I was in Vietnam, but I wanted to make it up to her somehow on this milestone day.
Enter, 12 Month of Dates.
Though I can’t yet tell you what each specific date was, I can give you a few suggestions on how I can came up with, and organized, them.
- Groupon is your best friend – There are a ton of awesome, inexpensive deals in just about every area. The deals expire at different times, so keep that in mind when you’re planning which deal goes with which month.
- Alternate at home and out dates – Sometimes an at home movie night with no electronics is all you need. Alternating an at home movie night one month with a lunch date the next, keeps things different.
- Wrap each date individually – Who doesn’t love opening presents? Amanda and Brad get to open something new each month. As long as they don’t cheat and open them early!
- Stay within your budget, but also know this is for a whole year – Since the majority of the dates I included were paid for, I had to budget. Though it may be a little pricey as you’re assembling them, spread over a year, the cost is minimal.
- Note if the couple needs to make reservations – A few dinner/adventure dates require reservations. I made sure to mark that on the date card so Amanda and Brad wouldn’t miss out.
- Think outside the box – Dinner dates can be fun, but are not original. Day dates, adventure dates, tours, can all provide a memorable date.
RQ: Do you plan dates ahead for your significant other?
I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
What a fun idea!!! I have been looking for something creative to do with one of my besties who is getting married next year!!! Her and her SO have been together for 12 years and I want to make it really special for them for their first year married together!!
JG and I are currently working on a project right now about date nights…I will be posting about it soon!!! 🙂
I can’t wait to see your post! 12 years, wow! Good for them.
What a great idea!! I should try that for Chris and I – we did a better job planning out dates in the days when we had to plan a sitter, too. Now that we don’t need a sitter we have gotten lazy about dates but they should still be important!!!
It’s funny how things change. I still “young” in my relationship, but I always have a blast on a date with Rob, even an unofficial one.
What an awesome idea! I love this!
I’ve seen two variations…
One gift I gave was to a new mom. I gave one book for the baby for each month (should have wrapped them separately – GREAT IDEA) with a theme from that month.
Another gift I gave (and received) was a 12-days of pregnancy (or 30) for that last couple of weeks or month before a baby is due. My mother in law (for the gift to me) included simple things for certain days (like a parenting magazine). Other days were more extravagant. It was so thoughtful!
What a great idea to do it for pregnancy and baby-themed. That’s really thoughtful.
This is a great idea! I have a friend who got 12 restaurant gift cards as a wedding gift so they could have a date night covered once a month for a year. But this is way more creative and fun!
I like the idea of the restaurant gift cards as well. Smart!