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10 Fun Activities for November

Get a head start on holiday fun with these November activities! There’s so much to look forward to—Black Friday shopping, Thanksgiving, cool weather, and cozy sweater season! Try a few of these festive activities with your friends, family, or romantic partner and make the sweetest memories. November is the perfect time to do some end-of-fall closet cleaning (to make room for Christmas shopping), indulge in self-care, and start a new holiday tradition with your S.O. These winter activity ideas will get you excited for the months ahead!  

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Host a football party for friends.

November means football is in full swing! Kickoff your winter fun with a football party for friends. This event could also double as a Friendsgiving party. Serve a tray of barbeque turkey sandwich sliders and sides of tater tots, stuffing muffins, deviled eggs, and sweet potato hand pies.  

Clean out your closet.

We’ve all heard about spring cleaning, but what about an end-of-fall clean-out? In early November, before holiday shopping begins, consider cleaning up your spaces. Find items you are no longer using and donate anything in excellent condition to your local thrift store. It’s the perfect time to hand off unused sweaters or coats to someone who will give them a loving second-hand home.  

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Start holiday shopping.

It might seem early, but Black Friday weekend offers the best shopping deals! Shop online and find a sweet gift for your romantic partner. A personalized gift like Book of Us tells your love story on every page. Customize pages with loving messages and inside jokes, to make this an unforgettable holiday gift! 

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Make chili and watch holiday movies.

Get cozy with a warm bowl of chili and a movie! Holiday movies will get you in the festive spirit. Our favorites include When Harry Met Sally, Holidate, You’ve Got Mail, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and every Friends Thanksgiving episode.  

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Host a soup exchange party.

Cool November days mean it’s finally soup season! You’ve probably participated in a cookie exchange or even a pie exchange—but how about an exchange that’s all about varieties of soup? Ask each friend to make a unique soup and divide it into take-away containers for each person. Pick a weekend to exchange soups and you’ll have 5 or 6 varieties of soup in your fridge for every night of the week! 

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Start a gratitude journal.

Begin every November morning with gratitude journal practice. Expressing gratitude can help boost your mental health, by improving your mood and lessening stress. When you express gratitude for things around you (big and small), you focus on the good and see things more optimistically. Begin a gratitude routine today that will have lifelong effects for a brighter future!  

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Enjoy a cold-weather activity.

If you live in a cold-weather state, plan a day of ice skating, snowboarding, sledding, or tubing. These are perfect activities to do alone or with a partner. Plus, you’ll combine fun with exercise! Don’t forget to end the day with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider.  

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Plan a game night.

Play your favorite board games all night long—with plenty of snacks! This activity is ideal for an especially cold day, so you can spend cozy time inside. Turn this into a fun date night or host a board game party with family.  

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Participate in a Turkey Trot.

Get your steps in and join a race that gives back to a worthy cause! Find the closest turkey trot near you and encourage your S.O. or friends to join you. Even if you aren’t a runner, this event is a fun way to make holiday memories and try something new!  

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Plan a “never have I ever” day date with your partner.

Do activities that neither of you have done before! Maybe it’s an at-home activity like baking a homemade sweet potato pie or an outdoor outing like skiing. As you try new things, you’ll grow closer together in your relationship. Day dates are the best when they are filled with laughter and joy!  

 

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9 Relationship Milestones That Couples Should Celebrate

Show love and appreciation for your partner all year long with these relationship milestones to celebrate! Whether you’ve been dating for one year or married for five years, it’s always fun to spend quality time together. Celebrating can bring you closer together, giving you a sense of unity in the relationship. We’ve included big and small milestones, for every kind of couple. All of these chapters in your journey will lead to a happier life as a duo. Celebrate the hard work and dedication you put into the relationship now and into the future!  

9 Relationship Milestones That Couples Should Celebrate  

Sharing Your First Kiss 

Whether your first kiss was awkwardly bad or downright magical, put this milestone at the top of your list! It marked the beginning of being intimate and took your relationship to the next stage. We love the idea of re-creating the date that led to your first kiss! You can even surprise your partner with a “happy first kiss” gift, like the Book of Us. Book of Us tells your unique love story on every page! Write out your first kiss story, to be printed on the back cover, and edit every page with loving messages and inside jokes. Your partner will love a gift that commemorates this sweet milestone. 

Having Your First Big Fight

Healthy relationships come with the good and the bad. Your first big fight is a doozy. But fighting can help you problem solve issues and improve your communication skills. (Note that domestic abuse should never take place in a fight and must be handled differently.) After you’ve cooled off from your first fight, treat yourselves to a “well that happened” drink (or mocktail) and do something that you both enjoy to get closer again—listen to jazz music and slow dance, hold hands and watch a movie, or cook your favorite meal.  

Attending a Family Event Together

One big relationship milestone is when you attend the first family event together! At this event, you’ll introduce your S.O. to your family members. This introduction shows a great deal of love and trust. This is the first time you’ll be stepping out as an official couple to extended family. It’s a time when your partner can bond with the family and be treated as “one of the family.” Treat this occasion as a milestone anniversary, and celebrate it every year by remembering the fun and awkward memories!  

First Couple’s Vacation

Your first vacation will help you both plan, problem-solve, communicate, and spend romantic time together. Plan a vacation every year, perhaps in the same spot as your first trip, as a special way to commemorate this milestone.  

Making a Big Purchase Together

Whether you’re buying your first couple’s couch for cuddling or your first house together, this relationship milestone deserves a fun celebration! Because you’ve made a big purchase, celebrate this milestone with budget-friendly date ideas like a bottom-less mimosa brunch, a happy hour special at a restaurant, a free concert in the park, or a bike ride and a picnic. Celebrate every year by challenging each other to plan a date with the smallest budget!  

Spending a Holiday Together (without family)

Most major holidays are spent with extended family. But on the rare occasion that you opt out of traveling to the family get-together, make this holiday extra special with just the two of you! This is a perfect opportunity to make memories and begin new traditions. Maybe you skip the traditional big dinner and order takeout, or maybe you plan an activity you both love. No matter what, the best times come from building a life together. 

Your Wedding Anniversary

A wedding anniversary is perhaps one of the biggest milestones to celebrate every year! We love the idea of re-creating your favorite moments from the day. Play your wedding song, cook or bake your favorite food from your reception, and watch wedding videos.  

The First Goodbye in a Long-Distance Relationship

Long-distance relationships are hard, and it may seem counterintuitive to celebrate a devastating goodbye. But it’s a difficult hurdle and you did it! You deserve to celebrate the accomplishment of making it through the hard times as well as the good ones. Once you are both back home, celebrate this milestone with some much-needed self-care time. Video chat your S.O., eat something yummy, and watch your favorite movie in comfy pajamas.  

Crying in Front of Each Other

Love isn’t just about flowers and gifts, it’s also about sharing intimacy and painful feelings. Love is about accepting all parts of your partner and supporting their hurt. For these reasons, it’s important to acknowledge and honor the first time your S.O. cries in front of you—and we mean, really cry, like open floodgates. When this happens, celebrate their vulnerability with praise which will encourage them to be more emotionally open with you in the future. Then do something together that will provide comfort and intimacy: watch a soothing movie together, go out for a comfort food meal, or schedule a couple’s spa day for massages.  

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11 Free Date Ideas You’ll Love

There’s no need to spend a cent because we’ve found the best date ideas that are free! Dropping a lot of money on an expensive dinner is no guarantee you’ll have a great time. Dating is all about spending romantic, quality time together. When you take money out of the equation, you’ll find some creative and unique ways to make lasting memories. The next time you’re planning date night, try one of these free date ideas. Your partner will be seriously impressed at how much you can do when you save!  

11 Date Ideas That Are Completely Free  

Spend the day at a free zoo.  

Many states have funded zoos and conservatories that have completely free attendance. Plan a free day date watching the animals and bring your own snacks to save on food cost!  

Hike at your local state park.  

Hike the trails and enjoy each other’s company. Nature provides a romantic backdrop for your date, where you can hold hands and kiss among the forest trees like a cheesy rom-com movie couple. There’s usually free street parking along the highways and you can bring your own energy snacks. Take lots of pics for the ‘gram and make a silly TikTok video to capture the moment.  

Take a scenic drive. 

Visit a place you’ve always wanted to go like a cute beach town, a flower farm, a historic monument or a sculpture garden. Pre-make iced coffee at home and hit the road with a killer playlist. The car ride adventure to get there is half the fun!  

Host a game date at home.  

Challenge your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner to game-palooza! Play a variety of board games, dice games, and video games. Then end the night with a sexy game for two.  

Visit a comedy club.  

Attend open mic night at a comedy club, where attendance is free as long as you find a seat. There’s no better date than laughing together…or cringing at the bad jokes!  

Attend a university concert.  

Take in a free concert at your local university! Look at the college’s schedule of music events and attend your local university’s symphony orchestra concert that’s free to the public. This is a great way to take in beautiful music and enjoy a romantic music date.  

Enjoy a free fitness class.  

Find a free fitness class in your area. Many cafes and breweries host free barre or yoga classes throughout the year. Get your sweat on and have fun!  

Make something together.  

Get crafty and make or bake something together. A few ideas: bake a cake, cook a new meal, put a Lego set together, make a photo book, or whip up fun cocktails for an at-home happy hour. You’ll make something new and make happy memories too!  

Watch a movie in the park.  

Check out your city’s parks and recreation board site to find programs like “Music and Movies in the Parks.” Plan a romantic picnic date and watch a free outdoor movie in the park.  

Enjoy spa day at home.  

Bring the relaxation of the spa to you and enjoy a spa day for two. Light candles, play soothing music, and give each other back massages. Then get cozy in your pajamas and access free movies from your local library to watch at home.  

Ride bike together.  

Take a long scenic bike ride together. If you need a rest, stop at a local park and share headphones to listen to an audiobook from your phone.  

 

 

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9 Date Ideas Perfect for Spring

It’s officially the first day of spring, so we’ve put together a fun list of spring date ideas that you and your romantic partner can do together! Spring can be an especially romantic time for dating, as the weather warms (even for colder weather climates) and you emerge from your winter hibernation cave. This list will help you organize the best planned dates for every spring weekend. And if you’re on a budget, no worries! Plan a nearly free date like visiting the farmer’s market or binge-watching the new season of “Bridgerton” on Netflix. For a creative date, try a pizza tasting challenge around town or plan a long weekend trip to New York City. We hope you and your significant other will love trying out a few of these delightful date ideas for spring!  

9 Spring Date Ideas for Couples  

Hike at a state park on Earth Day. 

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd by hiking at a local state park.  As you explore the natural beauty of our planet, you’ll find calming peace and make lasting memorie as a couple.  

Visit a local farmer’s market. 

Fresh spring produce will start arriving at your local farmer’s markets. It’s the perfect time to buy local and make a delicious meal together later that day.  

Binge-watch a TV show at home. 

The second season of “Bridgerton” is out on March 25th, making this the perfect time to binge-watch the entire season in a weekend and dine on your favorite takeout. There’s nothing better than cuddling on the couch, watching a romantic show, and enjoying great food.  

Treat yourself to a long-weekend spring break trip for two.  

This spring, devote quality time together by taking a fun spring break trip! If you need recommendations, check out our blog with the top 10 vacation spots for 2022: Spring Break Trips to Make Memories 

Tour the town for a pizza taste challenge. 

Challenge each other to find the best pizza in your city, county, or state! Travel around to the best pizza spots, taste test different slices, and rank them all. Save your favorites and go back on your next date night.  

Adopt a pet.  

If you are in a committed relationship and ready to take on the responsibility of a pet, then this is a sweet date idea that will bring you even closer together. By adopting a pet, you are helping an animal in need and “pet parenting” together—which helps you work as a team and learn how to make decisions as a couple. Spring is a great time to adopt a pet: the weather is warmer, making potty training outside much easier, and you have many months before the holidays to take your fur-family Christmas card photos!  

Start a workout plan together.  

Help each other maintain a healthy lifestyle by starting up a spring workout program that you can keep up every week. By working out together or at the same time, you will challenge and motivate each other. This helps you establish a healthy relationship, physically and emotionally. Exercise will help you stay physically active to enjoy lots of fun date night activities, and keep you mentally healthy by lowering stress and blood pressure. Establish a fun spring workout routine and find an activity you both enjoy such as kick boxing, cycling, running, weightlifting, yoga, or pilates.  

Pick up golfing.  

Plan a golfing date on weekends, where you can enjoy the sport and the warmer weather. You can try all varieties of golf: mini golf, driving range practice, 9 or 18-hole golf at a golf course, and Topgolf. This spring date activity is also perfect for the summer and fall months! Some of the best dates are when you play and learn together.  

Play board games at a local brewery.  

Bring your favorite board games and enjoy local brews. Play for pints, points, or just to enjoy each other’s company. It’s a relaxing date that perfect for daytime or evening.  

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The Cutest Valentine’s Day Gifts for Couples

Amp up the romance this Valentine’s Day with the cutest gifts for couples! Perfect for your boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner these nine gift ideas are unique and thoughtful. Skip the traditional chocolates and flowers this year and take your relationship to the next level with romantic (but not cheesy) presents. And no need to stress on affordability. We’ve compiled a list of creative ways to say, “I love you,” that meet all budgets. Discover the sweetest gifts for your loved one and show off your romantic side! 

9 Cute Valentine’s Day Gifts for Couples  

Matching rings

Pick out coordinating rings for you and your boo to wear on Valentine’s Day and long after. Even if you aren’t engaged or married, a ring symbolizes your relationship commitment and love. Some rings also fit into each other, like puzzle pieces—a beautiful gift that speaks to how you both complement each other.  

Book of Us

Treat your S.O. to a personalized Valentine’s Day gift that is customized to your relationship. The Book of Us is a sweetly personalized gift that tells your relationship story. Add your names and appearance and customize the text on every page. You can also add your love story to print on the back cover. Surprise and delight your partner with a unique gift that goes way beyond a card to say, “I love you so much.”  

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Handmade Polaroid Heart Picture

Give them a nostalgic gift that features polaroid snapshots. For this gift, you’ll want to take polaroid pictures of you both together. Print the pictures in black and white and then glue them together in the shape of a heart. Frame the picture, so they can hang it in their home and remember all the amazing times you’ve spent together!  

Romantic Weekend Getaway

Skip the material gifts all together and give your partner a romantic experience! This splurge-worthy gift idea will let you make special memories all weekend. Rent a cabin up north and go hiking, visit a local vineyard for wine tasting and charcuterie, or stay at a fancy hotel for the hot tub and spa. This Valentine’s Day, consider a relaxing retreat to grow even closer together.  

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Personalized Photo Puzzle

Turn your favorite couple’s photo into a 500-piece custom puzzle. Put the puzzle together as a fun gift on Valentine’s Day and then frame it. Your partner will love this uniquely personalized keepsake gift that they can enjoy long after the holiday is over.  

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“Open When” Letters

Perfect for smaller budgets, this Valentine’s Day gift is entirely homemade yet packs a deep emotional punch. Write love letters to your S.O. that they can open on certain days or occasions. On the front of the letter, write “Open with…” and then finish the sentence according to the need. Here are some ideas: Open when it’s Valentine’s Day; Open when we have a fight; Open when we go on our next date night; Open when you are feeling sad; Open when you are feeling happy. This gift will keep on giving for months and make their day.  

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Custom Couple’s Portrait

Commission an artist to paint or sketch a couple’s portrait. This thoughtful gift supports small artists and decorates your home with a beautiful picture. Celebrate your love this Valentine’s Day with personalized artwork that will truly “wow” your partner!  

Personalized Socks

Design custom socks printed with your face all over, so they never forget who loves them the most! Your boyfriend, girlfriend or romantic partner will love this sweetly personalized and funny Valentine’s Day gift!  

Dinner Under the Stars

Enjoy a romantic dinner under a galaxy of stars without leaving the comfort of your home. Use a galaxy star projector to light up your dining space with night sky ambiance. Play your favorite tunes and serve a romantic dinner for two—you can’t go wrong with pasta and wine!  

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating your love. Make this holiday one to remember with a unique gift that makes you laugh, cry, and remember how much you care for each other.  

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Holiday Activity Ideas for Couples 

‘Tis the season to be holly, jolly, and romantic at the holidays! These 15 holiday activities for couples will warm your hearts and bring you even closer together. There’s so many fun things you both can do to make holiday memories and celebrate—whether it’s your first Christmas together or your fifteenth! Try a classic Christmas tradition like ice skating or get creative by whipping up new holiday cocktails at home. We’ve put together the coziest date ideas that will help you make new couple’s traditions. Pick a few to try and have the most magical holiday season! 

15 Magical Activity Ideas for Couples This Holiday  

Pick out and decorate your Christmas tree.

This is one festive couple’s tradition you can do every year. Spend a fun day at the Christmas tree farm and chop down your own tree. Or if you’re looking for something closer to home, pick up a pre-cut tree at your local tree lot. Decorate tree with your favorite ornaments, or create handmade ones that display fun couple’s photos.  

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Cozy up for a classic holiday movie night.

 There’s nothing more romantic than cuddling on the couch and watching a classic holiday movie like “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Home Alone,” or “Elf.”

Go ice skating.

Nothing brings you closer as a couple than ice skating (or maybe, wobbling and hanging on for dear life). Ice skating is a fun holiday activity where you can lean on each other and laugh at every trip or fall. It may be a cliché winter date favorite but it’s one of the best ways to make magical memories as a couple.  

Attend a holiday concert.

Check out local venues to attend a Christmas music concert. There’s so many different concerts to choose from during the holiday season—from orchestral to choral, pop to Broadway.  

Visit your local theater to watch “A Christmas Carol.”

Enjoy this holiday favorite for the first time as a couple! Go out for a fancy dinner before or after and make it a magical holiday evening.  

Make ugly sweater Christmas cookies.  

Take your cookie baking to the next level and exchange those basic sugar cookies for ugly sweater cookies you can decorate together. The best part? Ugly sweaters are supposed to look bad, so have fun making a mess and laughing over your amateur frosting skills.  

Experiment with boozy hot chocolate cocktails.

Discover your inner mixologist and whip up crazy holiday cocktails for two. Add spicy heat to your chocolate martini. Swirl peppermint into a pitcher of mudslides. Top your brandy alexander with cinnamon-infused marshmallow whipped cream. These sweet treats will make your holiday date night even sweeter.  

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Donate toys or supplies to a local nonprofit.

 Give back to your community by donating to a toy drive, food shelf, or animal shelter. Sometimes the best dates are when you do something good together.  

Take couple’s photos for your holiday card.

Take the cutest photos for your Christmas card and send them to friends and family. Make double use of those photos by adding them to a personalized card or gift for your partner. A custom book like the Book of Us is a sweetly personalized gift that tells your love story. Include loving holiday messages and a photo to create a unique Christmas gift that they will treasure for years to come.  

Host a friends or family holiday party at home.

Create meaningful memories by hosting a festive holiday party for all your friends or family! Just choose a theme, keep the drinks flowing, and turn up the holiday music. Hosting a party is a fun affair that helps you bond and hone your planning skills as a couple. 

Build gingerbread houses together.

 Get in the holiday spirit by building a gingerbread house together or making your own houses in a couple’s competition! This holiday activity is perfect for date night at home with a glass of wine.  

Have a date night in the snow with sledding, snow angels, and snowman building.

If you live in a snowy area, embrace the winter cold and build a snowman or go sledding. It’s the perfect time of year to unleash your inner kid and grow even closer to your partner.  

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Drive to different neighborhoods and look at holiday lights and house displays.

Enjoy a romantic getaway right from your car! Drive around to look at beautiful displays in your neighborhood or drive a little farther to see a spectacular light display at an estate or park.  

Rent a cabin for the weekend.

If you’re looking for a longer road trip getaway, drive out of town to stay at a cabin rental for the weekend. The cabin already sets a romantic scene. All you need is a fire, hot chocolate, and puzzles or board games to make the coziest memories.  

Visit a Christkindlmarket or holiday market.

Going to a holiday market is such a treat! There’s music, spiced cider, warm food, vendors selling handmade goods, and festive photo opportunities. It’s the perfect winter date to enjoy this very merry season!  

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We hope these couple’s activities bring the fun and romance to your holiday season! Try a few this winter and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas: love.  

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Celebrate Your First Thanksgiving as a Couple 

Whether you are married or dating, these seven ideas will help you celebrate your first Thanksgiving together as a couple. This major relationship milestone is fun but also tricky to plan. Some of the compromises include: how to schedule each person’s extended family dinner, how to find time as a couple, what activities to plan, and what kind of food to cook. But Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and expressing gratitude. The most important part of this holiday is to express gratitude for your partner by spending time together. When you spend quality time together during the holidays, you make special memories and grow as a couple. This Thanksgiving, start some new couple’s traditions with these seven creative ideas!  

7 Ways to Celebrate Your First Thanksgiving as a Couple  

Make a smaller meal for two, combining your all-time favorite Thanksgiving foods.

Host your own private Thanksgiving dinner for two at home! Compromise on the meal by cooking each of your top three favorite foods and creating your own family meal. This could literally just be side dishes (they’re the best part of the meal anyway!) or a crazy combination of favorite family recipes. Even if you are having Thanksgiving dinner with relatives, it can be fun and romantic to have your own meal together.   

Start a new couple’s tradition.

There’s no reason your Thanksgiving weekend has to be booked solid with extended family gatherings. Try to draw some friendly boundaries and spend time together, just the two of you. Start a new Thanksgiving tradition like taking a long hike, walking the dogs, getting brunch at your favorite restaurant, or visiting a winery and playing board games. When you create your own traditions, you become closer as a couple and establish a unique routine for your little family unit.  

Travel to make memories.

Make this Thanksgiving unforgettable by taking a short road trip or travelling out-of-state for the long weekend. Spend the weekend hiking, skiing, or curling up by the fire in a cozy cabin. Visit a spa hotel for room service and couple’s massages. Mini vacations are perfect getaways to make memories. Capture photos along the way and frame them to remember your Thanksgiving adventures.  

Host a Friendsgiving party.

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As a holiday that’s all about giving back and expressing gratitude, it’s a perfect time to host a meal for good friends! Friends are often like family, and they provide so much love and support. Friendsgiving can also sometimes be more relaxing and casual compared to a formal family get-together. Invite single friends and couples over for dinner, games, and lots of wine!  

Count your blessings as a couple.

At Thanksgiving, we remember all the things we are grateful for. For this Thanksgiving activity, write down why you are grateful for your partner. Remember all the big things, but the small things too. At dinner, exchange notes and read them out loud. These thankful messages will make each of you feel even more loved and blessed on the holiday.  

Treat yourselves to Black Friday shopping.

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 Black Friday offers some of the best deals and sales all year. Look for holiday gifts on sale that you can exchange during the holidays. Online stores have plenty of sales, so you don’t need to leave your house! As you shop, look for meaningful couple’s gifts you can enjoy together. A personalized gift like the Book of Us captures your love story on every page and is uniquely customized for the two of you. You can edit every page with special love messages and display it as a coffee table book in your home.  

Black Friday is also a perfect time to look for items you can purchase for your life together. Consider purchasing a new gaming system, a new television, updated bedding, kitchen appliances, or cooking equipment.   

Volunteer or donate your time.

On Thanksgiving weekend, give back by volunteering at a soup kitchen or collect items to donate at a food shelf. Often people donate around the holidays but then stop giving. Food shelves are then left empty when the holiday is over. Collect donation items to give once Thanksgiving is over, to keep their shelves well stocked. You can also create a volunteer sign-up sheet and invite friends or family to sign up for volunteer times once Thanksgiving is over. 

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9 Cozy Fall Date Ideas

Snuggle up with your partner and try these nine cozy fall date ideas! The first day of fall is coming on September 22, which means we finally get to enjoy crisp air, colorful leaves, oversized sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes (so basic and SO good) and fall activities. We’ve rounded up the best romantic fall dates to fill your calendar. Take advantage of autumn’s arrival with a date at the apple orchard or visit the brewery for Oktoberfest. Every activity will bring you closer together. And with a crisp chill in the air, autumn is the perfect time to cozy up next to each other. Add a few of these creative ideas to your calendar and snap pics to capture the memories.

9 Cozy and Fun Fall Date Ideas for Couples

Spend the day at an apple orchard.

Visiting an apple orchard is the most quintessential fall event and deserves top spot on your fall bucket list. Local orchards offer apple picking, hayrides, homemade bakery treats, and spiked apple cider to stay warm. Walk among the apple trees while you share a caramel apple and make the coziest memories!

Visit a brewery with live music.

Fall is the perfect time to grab a pumpkin ale and listen to live music on the brewery patio. Many local breweries also hold Octoberfest events, with food trucks offering apple cider donuts and bratwurst with spiced apple slaw.

Go hiking at a state park.

Wrap yourself in cozy plaid flannels and enjoy scenic strolling at a local state park. Hiking requires a certain level of teamwork and patience, as you navigate the trail—sounds like great practice for marriage! Snap pictures to capture these memories and upload a cute video or two for your Instagram story.

Have a pie picnic.

Bake delicious apple and pumpkin pies and then have a pies-only picnic in the park. Find a spot near some gorgeous trees, sip on a thermos with warm apple cider or cocoa and dine on homemade dessert with a fuzzy blanket on your lap. Fall picnics are the coziest!

Enjoy a bonfire group date with s’mores.

Bonfires are even more fun when you can enjoy them with friends. Invite some couples out for a group date and have a bonfire in your backyard. Roast s’mores, sip on mulled wine, and cozy up by the fire. Swap spooky or funny stories until the fire burns to embers and stargaze to end the evening.

Plan a bookshop and coffee date.

Plan a date that’s straight out of a fall rom-com. Visit your local bookshop and find a quaint spot in the corner to sip on coffee and read. Talk about your favorite books and explore the shelves for a hidden gem to read. Turn up the romance a volume by surprising your partner with a book gift. Hide a book among the shelves and give them hints to find it. A personalized book like the Book of Us captures your unique love story. This surprise gift makes a big impact, as a unique way to say, “I love you.”

Attend a Renaissance festival.

Bring on the cheesy fantasy faire with a renaissance festival! Grab your goblet of mead and listen to musicians play sweet (and sometimes raunchy) love songs. You can also enjoy some yummy fair food, take in a comedy or juggling show, and find props for your couple’s Halloween costumes. These festivals have all the elements of a perfect romantic date.

Make soup and watch a movie.

Sometimes the most romantic date idea is getting cozy at home. Make butternut squash and pumpkin soup—a fall staple—to warm your bellies and watch a fall-themed movie like “Practical Magic,” “When Harry Met Sally,” or “Hocus Pocus.”

Watch a football game.

Football in the fall brings back nostalgic memories of homecoming high school games. Tailgate before the game to enjoy barbeque grill food and attend a university football game. The fans cheering, the fall foliage, and the crisp chilly air create the perfect fall date night!

 

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How to Show Your Partner Love and Affection

Whether you have been with your romantic partner for a while or just gotten together, these ideas will help you show daily affection and strengthen your relationship. Showing affection isn’t always easy. For some, physical or emotional affection feels difficult or unnatural. For others, the daily hustle of living and working takes over and displays of affection take a backseat. We’ve put together ways to show affection through emotion, action, and words. Choose the options that are right for you! You can also incorporate these ideas into your next date night, anniversary, or upcoming celebration for National Couple’s Day on August 18!

Do an activity your partner loves (but you don’t).

Relationships are all about compromise. This doesn’t mean you need to go to extremes or do something way outside your comfort zone. But occasionally, prioritize the wants and needs of your partner. For example, if your partner loves to golf in the summer, book a surprise tee time. Rent clubs so you can practice with them—even if you’re terrible!

Encourage their hustle.

Motivate and support your partner, to build up their self-esteem and confidence. A relationship is all about teamwork. Support their dreams and goals with words of encouragement or a long hug after a hard day. If they are working on a side hustle or pushing hard for a promotion at work, give their morale a little boost. When you love someone unconditionally, you respect their hustle and support that ambition. In turn, your relationship will grow with a deeper level of trust and mutual love.

Do something for your partner at a difficult time.

If your partner has been preoccupied putting the kids down for bed, do a nighttime chore you would usually do together like cleaning the dishes. If they are sick, buy them something special. If they are having a terrible workday, surprise them with a picnic in the park. When your partner is at their lowest, let them know they are loved and supported.

Spend a day tech-free. Be fully present.

Put down the phone and spend the day together. Take a walk, grab lunch at a restaurant, or do something as simple as grocery shopping together. Give your partner undivided attention because it says, “I love you and you matter most.”

Surprise your partner with small, romantic gestures.

Showing love and attention in small ways will make a huge difference in your relationship! If your partner is cold, warm up their blanket in the drier and wrap them in it while you cuddle. If your partner is a foodie, make them a big breakfast one morning. It’s so important to express your love language more than sexually, so you can grow closer and increase emotional intimacy.

Make time for them.

Spend time together, no matter how busy both of you get. Try to find moments when you can connect, like chatting over coffee in the morning or meeting for lunch. As a friendly reminder to yourself, schedule these times in your phone calendar or planner. These little “day dates” will help you stay connected and emotionally intimate.

Joke around.

Laughter is the best medicine—in life and in a relationship! Keep your relationship fresh and fun by joking and laughing. Amp up the fun by doing an activity together.

Show physical affection (outside the bedroom).

Extend your intimacy past the bedroom and offer physical touches every now and then—a hug, an arm around their shoulders, a brush of fingers against their neck, a kiss when you walk in the door. These little gestures express your love and show how much you care. You don’t always need grand gestures to say, “I love you” or “I’m thinking of you.” It’s the little things over time that keep your relationship strong.

 

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9 Summer Activities for Couples

Spend summer weekends and evenings getting closer to your S.O. with these couple’s activities. With so many ways to take advantage of the warm weather, there should be no shortage of things to do. We’ve rounded up some creative and adventurous summer date ideas. When planning a special date, you want to enjoy a fun activity and have some romantic time together. All of these ideas are cheap, easy to plan, and uniquely fun compared to the traditional dinner date. Whether you’re in a date night rut or just looking to experience the most epic summer with your partner, this activity list will help you make unforgettable memories.

9 Summer Date Ideas for Couples

Here are nine outings for you and your bae you should try asap this summer!

Go hiking at a state park.

Find a local state park close to you or road trip to one. This summer date idea is the perfect way to get some sun, exercise, and fun time together. Out in nature, you can find relaxation and grow closer as a couple. Hiking challenges your endurance and tests your teamwork skills. You need to work together as a couple to walk in rhythm and find a steady pace. Hiking also helps build your communication skills, as you navigate the path and the map together. Try this energizing and adventurous date idea on your next summer weekend!

Pick your own fruit at an orchard or farm.

Visit a local pick-your-own farm and collect fruit you can enjoy outside or blend in a cocktail at home. Depending on where you live, different fruit will be in season. You could go berry picking for strawberries or blueberries, apple picking or peach picking. When you’re done, enjoy a picnic outside. This summer date is like a scene from a rom-com movie!

Go to a baseball game.

Take your bae to an exciting, outdoor ballgame. You are guaranteed a home run with a summer activity that has everything: an electric atmosphere, good weather, and yummy snacks. Swap childhood memories as you watch and take plenty of photos in the stadium.

Enjoy a drive-in movie.

Visit a drive-in movie theater for some old-fashioned date night fun! Cuddle up for a romantic date in your car and bring wine to pair with the popcorn. This activity offers the perfect make-out moment where you can act like silly teenagers.

Daycation at a hotel.

This growing trend sees hotels across the country offering special day room rates so guests can use hotel amenities without an overnight stay. Enjoy the luxury pool and spa, plus the warm summer weather, all day.

Visit the zoo or a safari park.

It’s the perfect activity for animal lovers! Go wild watching the giraffes, zebras, elephants and gorillas. Then take a break with a cold beer.

Rent a pontoon and go boating.

Boat rentals are inexpensive for the day or just a few hours. Rent a pontoon so you can move slowly across the water and drop anchor to sunbathe.

Spend a day of food truck hopping.

Every day can be the state fair when you go food truck hopping! Make a list of food trucks in your state. You can use an app or visit a food truck finder social media page to discover where food trucks will be on any given day. Explore the city as you enjoy different food trucks around town!

Enjoy cocktails and appetizers at an outdoor patio.

Splurge on a few fancy drinks and enjoy each other’s company. This summer activity for couples offers a romantic atmosphere where you can talk and laugh for hours.

The best summer dates are about spending time together. Get inspired with some of these fun things to do with your partner.