Our Date Jar

There are a lot of things I'm passionate about, but my man definitely tops that list. He is hardworking, smart, and understanding. He never takes me for granted, and I love nothing more than building our marriage and strengthening our bond. This year for Valentines Day, I decided to make a "date jar." I've seen a lot of variations on the "date jar," but I wanted to share ours. There are 5 categories, and one for every week of the year (there are a couple duplicates): 

1. Home dates
2. $$ with Charlie
3. $$ without Charlie
4. Free with Charlie
5. Free without Charlie

Home Dates: There are the most in this category since we're homebodies at heart, and because we can easily do them without lugging Charlie out. Some of them cost money, and some of them are free. 

• spa night- go to the store and get the stuff for facials, pedicures, massages & pamper each other!
• watch a new netflix show- pick the weirdest looking show and watch it together
• theme night- pick a theme and stick with it the entire night. An example would be Mexican! eat tacos, wear sombreros, and watch....... a Mexican movie? Ha! I guess I don't even know of any.
• make sundaes
• pajama party- get in your pajamas, make a pallet on the floor, eat popcorn, and watch movies.
• floor candle picnic- get everything together as if you're going on a picnic, but have it on your living room floor!
• have a bonfire- roast s'mores!
• create a blog video- it's all for you, folks.
• bring goodies to a nursing home- bake cookies, and deliver to the nearest nursing home. aww.
• make pizzas
• get take out & play board games
• youtube video date- 2.5 hours of laughter.
• make a music video- probably spice girls.
• build a fort & watch a movie- I think Ryan's most excited about this one.
• have a cook-off- either buy the ingredients for each other, or have a limit on number of ingredients you may use in your dish. Have a family member judge.
• make a bucket list
• fondue night
• deliver an anonymous gift- pick someone and gift them something anonymously. I'm sure you know someone who needs something!
• create a commercial, film it, and put it on your blog :) 
• make breakfast for dinner & eat it in bed
• Duffy olympics- once a year we do this. We make up games and compete in a Duffy Olympics. It gets pretty heated.

These dates cost money, and we can bring Charlie:

• go to a local bakery
• try a new restaurant- something other than the sub shop we frequent
• kasey's choice- awwwww yeah.
• ryan's choice- I see video games and chicken finger subs in my future.
• spot coffee
• seasonal date- if it's winter, go sledding. Summer? have a picnic or go to the beach.
• dessert only date

These dates cost money, and we'd need a babysitter: 

• look in the gusto & pick an activity- pick an event in your city for that day.
• bowling
• laser tag- Ryan thinks it'll be funny to watch me do this. I'll show him.
• ice skating
• take the parents to dinner
• arcade
• go out for a drink
• go to the thrift store- give each other $10 and see who can find the best item.
• skyzone
• $1 theater

These dates are free, and we can bring Charlie:

• leave random notes around town- inspirational notes or funny notes. Probably a little bit of both.
• visit Mimi & Papa
• bring dinner to the lake
• go for a walk
• applebees- we have a gift card
• chestnut ridge
• get dressed up and go to dinner
• make dinner for Ryan's parents

These dates are free, and we'd need a babysitter:

• mulberries- we have a gift card :)
• olive garden- yup. gift card. 
• movie theater

< This is how we can tell which category we're choosing from. One of the sticks has a penny glued to the top. We pick that stick up, choose the category we want, and pick one of that color!

Happy Valentines Day, everyone!