101 Creative Date Ideas for LDS Singles

Are you tired of the ‘dinner and yet another movie’ date?

Ever notice that when something is on your mind, it seems to be on the mind of everyone else? (Sort of like when you buy a blue car and suddenly everyone has a blue car!)  Lately, I’ve noticed a common thread being posted on some of the LDS Singles internet forums and blogs that I frequent; people asking questions like: “Anyone got any great first date ideas, what are some of your favorite romantic date ideas, and what’s the best date you’ve ever been on?” The questions and complaints come with a comment about the poster feeling that the dates they have been on lately are boring, ho hum, and just a BIG yawn. Or, they are just tired of the ‘dinner and yet another movie’ scene playing out in their lives.  Or worse yet, they’ve heard enough of “whatcha wanna do?”

I understand the concerns. Whether you’re going on a date with someone for the first time or for the eleventh, you want to have lots of fun with that special someone and make a lasting good impression; especially in the case of a first date. Plus, no one likes to be stuck in a rut.  Interesting and fun dates are the very best way to get out of the ‘same-old, same old’ rut, have fun and make a good impression.

Finding Interesting and Fun Date Ideas Is Hard!

Let’s face it; trying to come up with cool unique date ideas is rough! Especially for those of us who may be a little “socially challenged.”  Honestly, you can spend hours searching, only to come up with average ideas like: “spend the day at the beach or cook dinner at home.”  These ideas are ‘okay’ but there are much better things to do on a date. What’s a single LDS guy (or gal) to do?  Fortunately, I recently came across Lindsey Shumway’s book, 101 Creative Dates for Latter-Day Saints.

101 Creative Dates for Latter-Day Saints!

Sister Shumway breaks her creative dating ideas down into categories (outdoor, foreign, service, etc…) and gives a theme (the Chinese date) along with some suggestions about ways that you could spend your time together. In the case of our example: learn about feng shui or discover how to spell your name with Chinese characters. (Orange Chicken, anyone?). If you and your date are movie lovers, there are suggestions for movies that you could watch together. (i.e. Mulan or Crouching Tiger-Hidden Dragon) Now, for you “overachievers” out there ready to really impress, the book suggests exciting date ideas that are more your speed. (Buy something jade for your date and talk about how it ties into Chinese culture) Of course, be aware that not all of these ideas “for a fun date” will work for everyone as presented. We all have unique interests and style. Find those ideas that you think would be fun things to do on a date and adapt them to your particular style and situation. (Essentially, let this book inspire you to create your own awesome dates!) The suggestions in this book will help you create memorable first dates, find interesting things to do on a date with someone you’ve been seeing for awhile and even make group dates exciting. You can adapt these fun date ideas to all seasons and different weather conditions.  Most of the great date ideas in this book are budget conscious– inexpensive date ideas! (And no, expensive doesn’t mean they are “cheap” date ideas, but you are welcome to go that direction if you want.)

Creative Ways to Ask Someone Out

Who says that you have to ask someone out the normal way? Why not make the effort to make the date request a memorable experience? This book also includes ideas on ways to creatively ask some one on a date. Does that special someone you want to ask out have a favorite soda? Then, give her a Caffeine-Free Diet Coke with a new label that says “I’d be Soda-lighted if you’d go out with me!” (I was craving a root beer when I wrote this and is perhaps why this one stood out.) There are other great ideas as well as some get-to-know you games included in the book. And, for entertainment purposes only (I hope), Sister Shumway has included some funny pick-up lines. (Not sure we really needed these, but they are fun to read; just don’t use them!!)

So, I issue my challenge to you, my fellow LDS Singles (dare I say brethern?). Each week take one of these creative date ideas and use it. It doesn’t matter where you start; there are many great ideas in the book. Plus, if you only use one a week, this is almost 2 years worth of unique, fun things to do on a date.

If you want to put a lift back into your dating, check out 101 Creative Dates for Latter-Day Saints by Lindsey Shumway. Your social life will never be the same!

Remember: We’re LDS! We’re Single! And, we’re all in this together!

P.S. If you are going to be using one of  the ideas from 101 Creative Dates for Latter-Day Saints for a first date, check out “8 First Date Essentials” to make sure that you are prepared.

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