A List of Our Favorite First Date Ideas
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Is it time for the first date?
Once you have connected with somebody you’re interested in and had a good conversation online, the next step is meeting in person. If you are already planning a first date with your new match, most of the hard work is behind you.
Now you can finally have some fun!
It doesn't take much to make a successful first date.
First dates are often confusing because they are both important and also sort of overblown. A first date is important because it is the first time you are meeting in person. This is when you (and your match) develop first impressions and truly get to know each other. For this reason, having a fun time on the first date is crucial!
Still, first dates don’t need to be perfect. Certainly, they don’t need to be complex or fancy. Because you want the focus to be on getting to know each other, you should do something casual, fun, and stress-free on your first date.
So, what exactly does that look like?!
Wonder no more, because here are eight of our favorite foolproof first date ideas.
1. Go to Mass together
Visiting church for a first date sets the tone that your relationship will be God-centered. Whether you attend daily Mass, the Saturday vigil, or the traditional Sunday morning Mass, meeting up at church is a great idea for a first date. Attending Mass together is intimate and gives you something to talk about after the fact. It is also a wonderful place to meet for the first time because it's a very public area filled with other faithful people. P.S. Don't forget to follow up your church date with coffee and donuts or breakfast!
2. Get ice cream or coffee
I once heard a dating expert suggest that first dates should never cost more $10 per person. Not only is it a little impractical to spend a ton of money on a first date, but it also could create a situation where a person feels obligated to have a good time because so much money is being spent. Keep things simple and just go out for coffee or ice cream. Everyone enjoys an ice cream cone or latte, and the laid back atmosphere of either a coffee shop or creamery can keep your conversation light and easy.
3. Visit or brewery or a vineyard
If both of you enjoy drinking alcohol, visiting a brewery or vineyard for a first date could be very fun. It is always a treat to try new drinks or tour a winery. Both places often offer a guided tour that will keep the conversation going and give you plenty to look at and/or talk about. Also, breweries and wineries typically have fantastic food that makes for a great (and affordable!) lunch or dinner. Just be sure not to drink too much!
4. Visit an arcade
If you are both into retro video games, or just like to play air hockey and pinball, you should consider visiting an arcade. (Yes, they still exist!) Most arcades charge a small hourly fee for entrance, making it affordable. This could be a great way to connect with your date over something you both enjoyed in your childhood. Also, a little bit of friendly competition goes a long way in creating bonds and having fun!
5. Go to the diner
Like coffee or ice cream, grabbing a meal at the diner is a simple and inexpensive date idea. You can chat over french fries and pancakes, or just order coffee and dessert. The great thing about diners is that there is always something on the menu for everybody and they are typically open all hours, making it easy to find a time that will work well with both of your busy schedules.
6. Pack a picnic
As long as the weather is decent, a picnic could be a lovely way to get to know each other better. A great first date idea is to meet at the local park and enjoy a light meal together. You can pick up food on the way, or take this as an opportunity to show off your culinary skills! There is also a lot to do at the park after your picnic, such as playing frisbee, taking a stroll, feeding the ducks, or simply enjoying the view. Plus, picnics are so romantic! You can’t go wrong.
7. Visit a festival
If you live in or near a city, there are probably tons of festivals going on that you could attend as a fun first date. Whether you are interested in music, chocolate, cheese, movies, wine, art, or something else, there is probably something going on in your area. Festivals make great first dates because they give you and your partner something to do while also spending time together to chat.
8. Go berry picking
Local farms often offer programs where you can visit for the day to pick berries or other fruits and vegetables. You can take home whatever you pick for a small fee. This could be a fun first date that gets you and your partner outdoors. Additionally, if you like to cook or bake, you can take the produce home and cook together on your second date.
In the end, just be yourself and have a good time on your first date.
Remember that dating should be fun and you should be looking forward to meeting your match for the first time.
And, as St. Padre Pio said—pray, hope, and don’t worry!
Find Your Forever.
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