Looking for a new way to show your partner you appreciation for them? Use these surprise date ideas to help you do just that!
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You are going to learn the following: Cheap Surprise Date Ideas, Anniversary Surprise Date Ideas, Surprise Date Ideas at Home, and Surprise Date Night Ideas.
After reading about these ideas, you’ll be ready to set a day and time for the perfect surprise date for you and your spouse.
This post is all about surprise date ideas.
12 Surprise Date Ideas to Show Appreciation to Your Partner
For each of these dates, it is encouraged to let your partner know you have something planned for them, but to let them know the rest is a surprise. This takes all of the stress off of your parter, shows that you are putting effort in, and adds an element of excitement to your relationship!
Cheap Surprise Date Ideas
Romantic Picnic at a Local Park
What kind of food does your partner like? Is there a way to make it and pack it up? If not, is there a restaurant nearby that you could pick it up from on the way to the park?
Before you head to the park make sure to have the dinner planned, ready, and in the car. Put a table and chairs, a table cloth, a small sign that reads “Reserved”, a charged Bluetooth speaker, a candle and a lighter in the back of your car. Try to do this without letting your partner see or suspect anything.
Blindfold your partner before getting in the car to go to the park. Once you get to the park, ask your partner to wait in the car for a few minutes. While they wait, set up a romantic dinner setting with all of the supplies.
Finally, go to the car and walk your partner out to the table. Remove the eye mask and enjoy a romantic dinner near the park together.
Backyard Movie Night
Rent or borrow a projector from a local library or friend and have a movie night in your backyard. I recommend finding somewhere in your yard to hang a sheet as the screen, and making sure to watch the movie late enough that it’s dark outside.
For your sitting space, I recommend laying down a tarp, tossing on the pillows and cushions you own on it, putting a comforter over top, then laying on that with your partner to watch the movie. Remember: you’ll be surprising your partner with this so make it cute and be sure that you feel cute!
Anniversary Surprise Date Ideas
Scavenger Hunt in your town
If you and your partner met in the same town you’re still currently living in, this surprise date’s perfect for you!
Note the top 5 locations that you and your partner hit major milestones. (Think: where you met, first kiss, first “I love you”, your proposal, etc.) Rank them in order from the best date spot to the worst date spot.
Make the best date spot the very last location because that’s where you’ll be majority of the evening.
Ask the most central / obvious employee to hold a note for you for a scavenger hunt at each of the places. For each place, give your partner another clue to the next place – try not to make is SUPER obvious but also don’t make your partner drive all around town before they get to each clue.
Scavenger Hunt in your home
Write a list of reasons you love your partner. Next, write physical things in your home that make you think of those things. In each spot leave a note (aka a clue) to the next location.
By the end of the hunt your partner will feel appreciated and loved. At the end, be sure to let them know just how much you love them.
Surprise Date Ideas at Home
Full Body Massage
Has your partner been stressed out lately? Can you tell they’re tense? This is an affordable great option for them!
Instead of spending a bunch of money to get professional massages, pick up some massage oil from your local convenient store. Be sure to watch a video or two on Youtube to find out what the best massage techniques are.
One important thing to note about this one: You should never expect a massage in return. In fact, I encourage you to decline if your partner asks if you’d also like a massage. This night is all about them!
Romantic Tent Setup
Whether you build a fort tent in the house, or set up a camping tent in the backyard, this is always a great at-home date idea!
Go above and beyond to make the fort or tent setup look put-together and well thought out. Use tons of pillows, cushions, and blankets for optimal comfort!
If you’re doing the outdoor option, be sure to think of all of the obstacles. Is there a train near your home? Get some ear plugs. Is your partner afraid of the dark? Get a lantern instead of just a phone light.
You’re doing this to show your partner you appreciate them, so be sure to go above and beyond for their needs!
Romantic Backyard Picnic
Similar to the park picnic, but you should go the extra mile with this one. After all, it is your property so you should be able to grab everything and anything from a few feel from your back door.
Set up a table and chairs with a tablecloth and cushions. Put some flowers and a candle or two on the table. Consider a citronella candle if the bugs are out.
Try to think of things that your partner would appreciate. Is that romantic music in the background? Maybe rap music? Whatever they prefer, do that and more!
Surprise Date Night Ideas
Favorite Restaurant
One of the best ways to show your partner you care about and appreciate them is to do what I call a “favorites date”. This is when you take your partner to one of their favorite things (i.e. food, movie, location, activity, etc.).
No matter how fancy or low key it is, take your partner to the restaurant they get most excited to go to. If they take reservations, be sure to get one to show your partner you really planned for the date.
Drive-in Movie
As i mentioned in the sections prior, movie nights are a great way to relax with your partner, especially if you make it unique.
If you have an SUV or truck, get your trunk ready for a romantic movie night at the drive in. Bring all the blankets and pillows to ensure it’s comfortable!
If you don’t have an SUV or truck, bring a couple camping chairs, blankets, and maybe even something for each of you to put your feet up on.
The more comfortable you make it the more relaxing it will be. Also be sure to pick a movie that you feel confident your partner will enjoy!
This post is all about surprise date ideas.
If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out our post “10 Unique Gift ideas for Her that You Haven’t Thought About”.
