Watching movies at your house or going to the theater gets really old really fast. What I mean is it gets really old really fast if that is all you do for your dates. It lacks imagination and creativity. With that said, the thrill of the crowds, the smell of the popcorn and other concessions, the gigantic screens and reclining seats that you get with a movie theater is certainly fine to do once in a while. There are several things that you can do to make watching a movie more creative and romantic. Probably things that your date, significant other, spouse, etc. haven’t ever done before.
One way is by setting up a tent or tents, if you have a decent group of couples, in your backyard and bringing in your television, Blu-Ray player, or DVD player, as well as pillows and blankets and bean bags. If you are fine with a smaller screen then you can just use a laptop. Although you will win brownie points if you put forth the extra effort. Since I mentioned brownies make some homemade brownies and have them while you watch the movie. The “tents and movies” date can be done in a group or just the two of you.
Scary or Romantic?
You can make it fun by watching a scary movie, or romantic by watching a chick flick. If you do plan on watching a scary movie, why not have some of your friends sneak over during the middle of the movie and shake the tent, or make creepy sounds, or something. You get the idea. Maybe if it is going to be a romantic comedy you could decorate the tent with those white lights, rose petals, I don’t know, go nuts! If you have one of those vast two-room tents you could set up a dinner in one room and have the movie in the other room. Once again, the impressiveness of this date is not really the food that is cooked or lack thereof, or even the movie that you watch, but the time, effort and thought that is put into it.
What you need for these tents and movies date:
To make this date work you need a tent, a place to set it up (the backyard works well, provided you have one), a really long extension cord, and a TV that will fit in the tent. If you live in a townhome complex like me, I am sure you have friends or family members that would be willing to let you use their backyard. Especially if you agree to clean it up beforehand. Or you could drive further away to a standard camping location and set up your tent there. You might have to use a laptop at this point unless you have or can borrow a generator to use.
To make it comfortable you also need things like pillows and blankets. Do you have one of those giant bean bags? Bring it and put it in your tent. You could even put your sound system in the tent for superior sound quality. You will have created your very own mini movie theater and it will be awesome.
If you plan on having dinner inside, make sure your tent is large enough. Bring tables and chairs, or eat sitting down on the floor of the tent. Are you making dinner? Check out my website In the Kitchen with Matt for some ideas. I have main courses as well as all kinds of treats and desserts.
My commentary on this date:
A long time ago, I believe it was in the mid-90s, my brother did this date idea for a girl that he’d been dating. He set up our big tent in the back yard and brought out a TV and VCR (yes, it was the stone age), as well as pillows and beanbags. His girlfriend loved it.
This date is one that’s probably best suited for when you know each other well. If it’s an early date, at least make sure she’s really digging you, or it might just end up being more awkward than fun. Or you could turn it into a group date if your tent is large enough and that could help ease any awkwardness that might arise.
Do you have experience with this creative date idea? Let me know in the comments how you liked it. You can buy a copy of the book 101 Creative Dates: ideas, tips, and personal experiences from the life of a hopeless romantic here or visit the shop.
Here are other date ideas you might like: