Dating Tips Archives - Page 4 of 10

Warm Weather Date Ideas

August 16, 2013 By GetTheGirl

Spring may be the season of love, but summer can be just as special for romance. Take advantage of the warm weather and check out these fun date ideas to share with your significant other during the sizzling summer months.

1. Go to a ballpark to watch a game

Baseball is the perfect spectator sport for both men and women of any age, even those who are not big sports fans. It is not the kind of sport that requires constant attention, so you and your date will be able to keep a relaxing conversation going. Tickets for a game are affordable and the cuisine is relatively inexpensive. The ballpark allows for a lazy summer afternoon full of fun.

2. Visit a winery

Sitting among the vineyards and sampling the finest of wines is perhaps the most romantic way to spend a summer day. Tour the winery, learn about how wine is made, taste some of the winery’s latest, and maybe even purchase a bottle to bring back home. Wine tastings at wineries are not as costly as you would think; they typically cost under $10 and some are free. Even if you are unfamiliar with fine wines, chances are you will become a fan after the visit.

3. Go to a food festival or fair

Instead of being limited by a menu in a restaurant, go to a festival where the sky is the limit and you can try all the foods! You and your partner will enjoy hopping to each booth and sampling what the diverse styles the local vendors offer. From barbecue food to the best frozen yogurt around, everyone is guaranteed to find an item to suit their tastes. Nothing is more fun than feeding each other tasty bites!

4. Get out on the open water

If you live anywhere near a body of water, chances are you know someone with a boat or have one yourself. Bring along a couple fishing rods and bait, and spend a lazy day bobbing along in the waves. If things steam up, just hop off the back for a quick dip to cool off. Tubing and water skiing are great options too, if you are feeling adventurous. So gas it up and head out into the summer breeze!

5. Plan a picnic in the park

Dining at a restaurant can be expensive and cliche. For something a little outside of the box, grab a basket, cooler, and blanket for a romantic picnic. You could prepare something in advance, or simply toss in the makings for a sandwich and fresh fruit. Curl up together and enjoy the sunshine while relaxing in your favorite park.

The season is quickly fleeting, so grab your sweetie and try out these ideas to heat up your summer!

Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.

5 Gifts to Make Her Happy

July 29, 2013 By GetTheGirl

We all love giving and receiving gifts, but some of you guys aren’t great at the giving part. A thoughtful gift done the right way will give your girlfriend and your relationship a boost of happiness. Good gift giving shouldn’t be limited to the times when it is expected of you, like her birthday. You should consider giving something extraordinary if you screw up and need to make up for your mistake, or just when you want to show her how much you care. These ideas will make her glow with happiness and score you major points.

Personalize anything and you’ll have a happy lady in your midst.

This works particularly well if there is a special occasion coming up, like your anniversary. Remember to get her something special that highlights what the two of you share. There are many places where you can get your girl a gift that has been personalized for her.

Even if it’s not your anniversary, give her a pretty paper card just because she deserves it. Make best use of your card’s ability to bring happiness by getting personal. This is true for any card you ever want to give, but for your girlfriend try explaining why you love her, why you are excited about sharing a future together or just that you are thinking about her. It will make her day.

Write her a song.

Writing a girl a poem or a song is one of the oldest tricks in the book – and it works!

Make this song only for her and about your love for her. This one is a little bit tricky. Not to brag or anything, but I’ve actually had a lot of songs written about me (so they said). For an example of what not to do, consider the time I was at a party and a guy I just met attempted to plug my name into a song he said he “just made up about me”. I could tell it was a tool he’d used many times before. Whatever you do, be creative and original.

Get her a book you think she will like.

Has she mentioned any interests that remind you of books you like? Chances are she will appreciate that you pay attention and probably like the book as well. This also applies to anything that she has mentioned in passing. Did she say that she would love to try a product or service while window shopping or watching TV together? Make it happen for her!

Make a photo collage.

Women love these. Trust me, I know. It’s nice to have pictures around of myself smiling with my loved ones. Make sure there is at least one picture of the two of you together that you can include. Do you have any pets together? If so, get some pictures of those little creatures and put them in there too. Print it out and frame it so that she can always look at the joyful photos.

Take her out on a fancy date.

Get a table out of the main flow of traffic.

Tell her to wear something dressy and give her the romantic evening she’s been waiting for. I love being taken on dates. The chance to dress up and enjoy each other’s company is often times just what a relationship needs. I cannot get enough flowers given to me or compliments on how I look in a dress, so chances are neither can she. Yes it counts as a gift, a good gift at that.

Take it from me, giving love and happiness in the form of gifts is fun and easy to do. Start with these ideas and you’ll be master gift giver in no time.

Sally Barker has been happily married to her husband a little over a year now. When she isn’t writing about relationships, she loves to read Stephen King novels, go camping and relax in the great outdoors.

Maintaining the Romance in a Long-Distance Relationship

July 25, 2013 By GetTheGirl

If you haven’t met her face to face yet, there will be a moment when you both know its time! And it very likely will be spontaneous.

Like lots of guys nowadays, I met a girl online. Emails turned into phone calls which resulted in sparks. The only problem was she lived in New Orleans and I was 500 miles away in Gainesville, Florida. Phone calls sustained us for a few weeks, but soon I knew I had to see her in person, so one night I asked, “how about if I come see you tomorrow?” Moments later, the flight was booked.

After our first weekend together, we both knew there was potential for a genuine, loving relationship. On the plane ride home, the question gnawed at me, “how could we continue exploring and nurturing this relationship while hundreds of miles apart?” This would be a first for me – and her – and I knew it would require a little more effort than dating someone down the street.

So, I used the following means to keep things going while we were hundreds of miles apart.

Flowers are Essential

It’s cliché for a reason. Most women I’ve met enjoy receiving flowers, especially at work. A dozen red roses are nice, but she’ll be more impressed if you subtly find out her favorite flower and send a bouquet unexpectedly. If you have a hard time working the question into casual conversation, ask one of her friends. A woman should also feel free to send flowers to her man. While few guys will outwardly admit it, it’s flattering to receive flowers, regardless of gender.

Unexpected Gifts are the Best Kind

Flowers are lovely, but sometimes you need to mix things up. Find an original gift to send her way. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful. The more personal, the better. One of the first gifts I sent my wife was a teddy bear gift basket. The teddy bear still sits on her dresser to this day. She sent me a 12-pack of a New Orleans beer that she introduced me to on one of my first visit. (Of course, the beer had a much shorter shelf life than the teddy bear.) It’s all about little demonstrations showing you care.

Talk Daily

Long distance relationships are becoming more common, and can be very worthwhile if you take the right steps in nurturing it.

This one is critical. Pick up the phone and talk to one another every evening. Some conversations may last two hours, others just five minutes. It’s not about the length of the call, it’s about caring enough to make the call an integral part of your daily life. Couples need that regular, ongoing connection and email doesn’t cut it. And remember, no matter how bad your day was, try to go into the call with a positive attitude. After all, talking to the person you love should be exciting, the best part of your day.

Make the Trip – Whatever it Takes

While living in different states, she and I made a point to see each other in person at least once a month. One month I would fly to New Orleans, the next she would fly to Gainesville. Yes, it got expensive and we both burned through a lot of vacation time, but there’s no substitute for sharing the same physical space. If finances preclude you from flying, get in the car. If it’s too far to drive for a weekend visit, meet halfway and enjoy a mini-vacation.

Communicate About Where Things are Going

Communication is always the key to a great relationship, but it’s especially important when you live far apart. Make sure you’re in sync about where you hope the relationship will lead. If one of you is just having a good time while the other envisions walking down the aisle, it’s especially painful. Don’t assume you’re on the same page, talk about it. Once you decide it’s time to make the commitment, don’t hesitate. To steal a line from When Harry Met Sally, “when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Well, it must have worked because five years later, we’re still together, married three years and going strong. I certainly don’t know everything about love, but by using the techniques above, I proved how to “get the girl!”

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About the Author

Damion Wasylow is a freelance writer who met his wife online in 2008. They live in Gainesville, Florida and plan to add to their family in the near future. In his free time, Damion enjoys traveling, reading and watching sports on TV.

Seven Great Gifts Women Love to Recieve

July 21, 2013 By GetTheGirl

It seems that every time a birthday, anniversary or holiday rolls around, my poor husband is at a loss as to what kind of gift to give me. When I told him that I wasn’t hard to buy for, his response was that all women are hard to buy for, myself included.

It got me thinking about gifts that I and most other women would enjoy, gifts that span all interest areas.

Here’s what I came up with:

1. Food
Everyone enjoys food, not just women. However, if you think creatively, food can be a great gift. Send a cookie bouquet, edible arrangement or a simple box chocolates. Pick out a dozen cupcakes from a local specialty bakery, or even try out your baking skills by making some cupcakes yourself with your own personal frosting touch. For a more formal affair, take her out to a gourmet restaurant, or step back into the kitchen and go full out with the culinary arts and make her a fabulous multi-course meal. Whatever you do, make sure you’re aware if she has any special dietary requirements, food allergies, or is a vegan/vegetarian.

2. Jewelry
Jewelry is a pretty standard gift, but it doesn’t always have to be an expensive one. No need to fork over a huge wad of cash just to find something she’ll like. The handmade jewelry movement has taken off and there’s a wide selection of fabulous pieces to choose from. Get her something fun or funky to match her personality. The thought value, especially if it is not a special occasion, will far out weigh the cost.

3. Flowers
I’m not overly fond of receiving bouquets of flowers. The thought is lovely, but the flowers die in a few days and you’re left with an empty vase. If your girl is like me, buy her a live plant that she can keep in the house or even one she can put in the garden. Another way to gift plants: a trip to the botanical garden! This is especially useful when you are first starting to date. The plant will be around much longer as a constant reminder keeping you on her mind.

4. Books
Books are a fabulous gift! No matter where her interests lie, there is a book out there for her. Dig through her bookshelf to find her favorite authors and get an idea of what genre of books she enjoys. A quick internet search can help you find similar books that she might like. If you’re worried you’ll choose the wrong book, consider buying her an e-reader like Kindle or Nook instead. This is not commonly known, but if she has a “wish list” at Amazon.com, then you can find out what’s on it by visiting: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ and entering her email address or name.

5. A Good Pampering
Give your lovely lady the gift of relaxation. Massage, spa treatments, manicures and pedicure are a great way to indulge the one you love. If you want to step up the romance factor, look into a couples massage. Ooh la la!

6. A Night Out
There are so many options for a great evening out! Take her out to dinner and follow it with a movie, concert, play, ballet or opera. Go to an amusement park and pair it with a trip the ice cream parlor. For those extra special occasions, spend the night in a luxury hotel, enjoying tray after tray of room service.

7. The Personal Touch
At heart, most women are sentimental. Take some time to give your girl something you crafted from the heart. No matter what your talent, you can make her something she’ll treasure. If you’re decidedly not crafty, go for a framed print of your favorite photo as a couple.

When she’s not berating her husband for his poor gift choices, Mary Shroedinger enjoys baking, gardening and spending time with her kids.

Romantic Inexpensive Dates in the Great Outdoors

July 19, 2013 By GetTheGirl

Restaurant dates can be pretty cliche and expensive. Save yourself $100 and try some of the ideas in this article. It is sure to put a smile on her face as well!

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to come up with original ideas for inexpensive dates. Going out to dinner and a movie is old and boring. Everything at the Olive Garden is starting to taste the same and who wants to shell out $50 for a movie and popcorn just so you two can stare in the same general vicinity for approximately an hour and a half?

It’s time to stay out when you go out. How about an outdoor date where you can really take in the in the birds and the bees in all their glory.

Why should you consider doing activities outside when it comes to your dates? Well, it’s good exercise and exercise gives you endorphins which make you feel good about yourself – and her about you! It also promotes a good image about your physical well-being to that special lady you are trying to woo. It shows her that you are creative and put more thought and effort than the average joe in making her time with you a truly memorable date. While you are out on these adventures, you will be sure to discover new places and new things, see an assortment of wildlife and, best of all, being outside is cost free fresh air!

Take a walk or a hike

A nature walk is a good place to take a break and get a kiss in!

Being constantly on the move means new scenery to talk about and gives you the option to move off of the beaten path. While on a walk, you will get to see undeveloped areas that are wooded, secluded, full of adorable animals, and wild flowers that you can pick for the lovely lady. From my own experience, the other night I was asked out on an evening stroll to the lake and on our way we had a close encounter with two majestic owls, saw some handsome blue belly lizards, and even witnessed a beaver working very diligently on the makings of a new home. While not every walk will be that eventful, I can promise that it will be a memorable experience nonetheless.

Go on a picnic

Picnics are romantic. You have to create a spread, regardless of whether or not it’s fried chicken, or aged brie on a fresh baguette (if you are feeling fancy), which shows that you are capable of assembling a meal on your own. Laying out on the grass on top of a soft blanket and gazing at the clouds with a glass of wine in your hand and the company of an exceptional someone is a positively picturesque scene that any lady will love. If you can make this happen on a bicycle (or bicycle built for two), all the better. You can even bring your favorite vino along in your bicycle wine rack which, if it’s a special occasion, would make an excellent gift forhim or her.

Short road trips to the lake or beach

While driving in a car she’ll be your captive audience and hopefully captivated by your conversation, charm and wit. But if you’re going to the beach or lake, there is no need to get all dressed up. Casual will be much more relaxing for the both of you…

Nothing beats a romantic getaway even if it’s only a couple of hours away from home. The idea is that the two of you are fleeing your humdrum everyday life to spend some time together. Being captive together in a car will give you the opportunity to just enjoy the company of each other without any pesky interruptions. You can talk, sing along to the radio, play car games, or just enjoy each other’s presence while taking in the view around you. There is no quicker way to get to know how compatible you are together than by taking a little road trip.

Special memories are made from experiences so be sure to make your next date an experience she will always remember.

Penelope Young
Penelope Young is a freelance writer and web coordinator. She enjoys reading and writing in her spare time while taking the time to enjoy the small things in life – chai tea, and chocolate.