Posts filed under 'dating'
Winter is one of the most romantic times of the year–all that cold weather leaves lots of excuses to snuggle up! Here are a few inexpensive ideas to treat your crush this holiday season.
- Bake-Off. Mix up some of your favorite wintertime treats (I’m a sucker for frosted sugar cookies or a good batch of fudge) and see whose come out yummier. Food fights are encouraged, and taste-testing is a must. If you’re feeling generous, you can hand the goods out to family and friends.
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- Kid Flix. Pop some popcorn, snuggle under some blankets, and watch one of your childhood favorites. Some of my go-to kid-friendly movies for the holidays are Home Alone (1 or 2), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and anything Charlie Brown.
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- Scarf it Down. Bundle up for those cold winter nights by outfitting each other for warmth. Scout out a cute scarf (Old Navy has them starting at only $5) or mittens for your sweetie. Feeling gutsy? Learn how to knit or crochet together and swap when you’re finished. (It takes a real man to be comfortable crocheting in front of his lady.
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- Wrap it Up. Make gift wrapping fun by making an evening of it. Gather your supplies (wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and ribbon for starters), grab some snacks, and wrap gifts in front of the fire (but not too close). If you need a little something more to keep you entertained, throw on some music or a cute holiday-style romcom (I love the classic While You Were Sleeping).
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- Color Me Yours. Still looking for the perfect gift for your super sentimental mom/grandma/crush? Head over to a ceramics painting spot (like Color Me Mine) together and spend an evening making something special yourself. You’ll love seeing how artistic your sweetie is (or isn’t!) and you can tick one more gift off your list.
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- Let it Snow. Don’t hide away indoors when the snow starts falling–call up some friends and have a huge group date outdoors. Bundle up and prepare to relive your childhood: building snowmen, making snow angels, and the grand finale–a huge snowball fight.
Happy holidays!
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December 13th, 2010
When it comes to free time, the genders obviously have different ideas about how it should be spent. The ladies want to shop, have deep conversations, and watch the Project Runway marathon on Lifetime (was anyone else shocked by the winner, btw??). The gentlemen: eating, sports, and a 24-hour game of Halo: Reach on xBox Live.
Tired of waiting around for your girl to finish her DVR’d SYTYCD or your guy to turn off the game console? May I suggest a tact the hubs and I have come up with?
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
Give it a Shot
Okay, here’s the deal. No matter how stupid our significant others’ favorite pastimes may seem to us, for some reason they really dig them. And there is no better way to score points with your honey than to show some interest in what they love. (If you want to try it the other way around, ask your sweetie to join you doing something you really like, and see how it goes!)
So, I’m just going to throw out my own example. I’m no pro, but I did play a decent amount of Halo this summer (and even more since Reach came out because that’s how I get extra facetime with my man–you hear me, ladies?). My sweetie asked me to play with him one evening, and he was so excited that I gave in. It actually turned out to be pretty fun (full disclosure: I am no longer an embarrassment, but I still have trouble keeping aim when I’m in a firefight), and we’ve played a couple times a week since then. He still gets really excited any time I offer to play.
Make it Accessible
If you want to get your honey involved in your hobbies, take the pressure off. He’s never brought it up, but I know playing video games with me is a way different experience for the hubs than when he plays them with the guys–he turns down the gore (because I’m a girl, and gore is gross), leaves the game setting on normal (I would be pretty lame on a difficult setting, and I know it), and makes a point of giving me props when I do something well (even if its an accident).
Basically, he makes it less intimidating, and preserves my shy little newbie gamer ego.
It works the same way when you’re translating girl stuff for guys. Example? If you want your man to watch a Twilight movie with you, tell him you’ll throw together some killer movie snacks and make fun of the cheesy parts together. Make it low-key and not embarrassing, and be willing to see it from the other perspective.
Celebrate Success, Accept Failure
Not every hobby you share is going to translate to a new couples activity. If you find out you and your sweetie have something new in common, great. Add it to your list of date night activities. If sharing one more second of Monday Night Football together sounds worse than a 6am bio midterm, skip it–its no big deal.
Most relationships thrive on a combination of comfortable similarities and interesting differences, the point here is simply to take an interest and try something new.
Photo: brunopp
November 3rd, 2010
Summer break is great, but now we get to gear up for another year of life on campus (and hopefully a little more independence–anyone else’s Dad keep the curfew thing going in the college years?). Ready for a refresher course in college living? Here we go!
Studying & Academics
Its that time again–time to hit the books and start getting the straight A’s your future employer wants you to get. Check out these study tips and get your game face on.
Productivity
One of the biggest challenges of life on your own is getting everything done and still having time to enjoy college! These productivity tips will help you start organizing so you can fit in all the important aspects of your life.
Money Stuff
Budgeting may not be fun, but it can be easy. Learn how to build your budget, save money, and build your credit score so you can graduate with a healthy bank account.
Health
Get healthy and stay healthy this year.
Dating
You don’t need a lot of green to impress your date. Take a look at these cheap-or-free (but still fun!) date ideas for fall, winter, and all year round.
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September 9th, 2010
A blanket of snow isn’t a sentence to stay indoors! Get some warm (and water proof!) clothes on, and venture out for a snow-date with your honey (and then warm each other up afterward!). Let it snow!
1. Eskimo Kisses. Whether you have fond childhood memories of snow-fort building or you’re a complete newbie to the winter wonderland gig (like me!), I definitely recommend you get out there and build an igloo out of snow! (For faster work, make it a group-date, or just enjoy the time alone with your crush.) Be sure you pack your snow tightly before you hollow out a little room, and keep some structural “columns” inside to help hold it up. It will look magical lit up inside at night!
2. Snow Painting. Need another reason to get out and play in the snow? This is the only time yellow snow isn’t dangerous! Fill some spray bottles with water tinted with a few drops of food coloring. Write love notes. Paint each other’s portraits. Be ridiculous.
3. Sculptorades. Want to make a masterpiece like the one above (but maybe just a little bit smaller)? All you need is some time, a ton of snow, and a cardboard box. Use tools you have on hand, like a spatula, beach shovel, and tablespoon, to carve out your snow masterpiece. For more directions and tips, check out this article about snow sculpting. (Search Harbin Ice Festival for more inspiration!)
4. Icy Icee. Not into the whole freezing-to-the-bone bit, even for a date? Pick up some flavoring syrups at the grocery store (they work for Italian sodas, too–yum) and whip up your own custom snow cones (or cups, use whatever you’ve got.) Just make sure the snow is fresh so you don’t get any surprises.
5. Candlelight. Take the traditional candlelit dinner to the next level–make clusters of glittering ice-candles and light up an outdoor mini-picnic. Start the day before and have everything ready when your crush arrives. I suggest warm-weather clothes and mittens, some quilts and something dry and waterproof (a simple tarp would be fine) to sit on. Skip the full-on dinner and do dessert instead (you can only brave the cold for so long). Gingerbread cookies and cocoa are a great start.
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January 29th, 2010
The weather may be getting chilly, but that’s no reason you can’t heat up your love life as autumn turns into winter. Here are 10 cheap-or-free ideas to spice up your dating life. 
- The Great Pumpkin. Hit a pumpkin patch (it’s getting late in the season, so better go soon!) and find your pumpkin-soul-mate. Carve it up (it’s never too late to do some pumpkin art) or try your hand at some pumpkin recipes.
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- Warm Up. Grab some coffee or cider at a cafe and work through some questions in the IF… book. Or do it for free by perusing it at a bookstore coffee shop.
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- Cool Down. Ready to get into the winter spirit already? Brave the cold and go ice skating (or find an ice rink in your area if its not cold where you live, you lucky duck). Sure, your butt may meet the ice a few times, but if you can’t laugh about it at least you have an excuse to cling to your sweetie.
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- Toss Around the Pigskin. Football season is upon us, so whether you love it or hate it, why not embrace it? Play some tackle football in the park or get some yummy, unhealthy snacks and root like crazy for your team (whether you know what’s going on or not).
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- Down, Set, Hike. The weather’s getting colder, so head out for a walk in the woods before it gets too cold. You still have time to catch some fall color! Up the ante by bringing a picnic.
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- Lookie-Loo. If you’re in (or near) a big city, go to a weekend art gallery opening. They’re usually free, offer a great chance to take in and discuss some culture (how mature!), and often offer munchies, too.
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- Starlight, Star Bright. The crisp, cold air of autumn makes it a great time to take in the starts. The Leonid meteor shower was this past week, and you can check here for more meteor shower dates & times. Bring a blanket and something warm to eat, and be prepared to huddle together for warmth.
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- Lots of Drive. I’m a sucker for the vintage charm of a drive-in movie–they’re cheesy and fun, and you can bring blankets and food so you’re perfectly comfy. Plus it won’t bother the people behind you if you crack jokes or peel off a candy wrapper. Pick up some food at a drive through and then drive-in for your main feature. (Find nearby drive-ins at driveinmovie.com.)
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- Do Good. It’s the season of giving thanks for what we have, so why not pay it forward? Spend a Saturday morning helping out at a soup kitchen, or pitch in at a local or national food bank like Feeding America.
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- Swedish Dinner and a Movie. Ready to release your inner film student? For a ridiculous group date (and some great blackmail material) head over to Ikea with your crush and some other pals. Dine on some Swedish meatballs and then use the sample rooms as your own personal film stage, like this group of improvers did. Just be prepared for some funny looks from your fellow shoppers.
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November 20th, 2009
Like it or not, Valentine’s Day always seems to force us to contemplate our relationship status: being single, hooked up, serious, or otherwise. Having spent a good couple years of college being single (sometimes loving it, other times hating it) I thought this week was the perfect time to share a few reasons why being single is awesomely good.
- You Can Learn What You Love. When you’re on your own, you’re completely free to explore your life passions. You have time to indulge in a three hour novella-writing spree at 2 a.m. or take a road trip with your buddies to see the most incredible car museum this side of the Mississippi. And you’ll want to know that so you will make time for that passion when you do get into a relationship.
- You Can Learn How Strong You Are. When my dad was first diagnosed with cancer, I remember my mom wondering aloud if she could make it on her own-she’d gone from living with her parents straight to being married to my dad. She’d never had to cope with tough stuff on her own, so at almost fifty she was still unsure of her own personal strength.
- You Can Make Amazing Friends. Good relationships are wonderful but time consuming. Being single allows you the time and emotional energy to build deep and lasting friendships-friendships that will last even if relationships don’t.
- You Can Make Decisions for You. Being in a relationship means making a lot of decisions as a team, so enjoy the freedom you have to do things your way! Right now you get to choose exactly how to spend your time and money-from studying abroad to taking on a new job to road-tripping with your roommates. And you don’t have to share the remote.
- You Can Test Your Boundaries. Living at home or being in a serious relationship can both affect your ability to learn who you really are. It’s possible, of course, but it’s harder because (I reiterate!) your time and commitment are both more divided. So try new things (legal things, I mean), meet new people, and make big goals. See just how much you are capable of when you let yourself try.
And stop worrying about getting into a relationship if you’re not in one yet! The good ones find you when you’re doing the right things, anyway.
And as always, please feel free to share your reasons why being single rocks with the class.
photo: lusi
February 11th, 2009
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