A Year of Dates Gift: 12 Planned & Paid for Dates to Enjoy All Year

A Year of Dates Gift Idea

One of the best Christmas presents we have ever received is the 12 Dates of Christmas that my mother in law gave us, complete with poems for the clues and money for each date. I’m so excited to share these 12 pre-planned, pre-paid date ideas to give as the perfect gift so you can make dating easy and enjoy quality time all year long! So if you are looking for creative and fun date night ideas to give as a gift, you are in the right place!

12 Date Ideas You Can Give as a Gift

With the hustle and bustle of raising two kiddos, managing a household/work schedules, and investing in relationships with friends, it can sometimes be a struggle just to sneak away for a date night. Tyler and I have been married for just over seven years now (SO crazy to think about) and some of our favorite nights have definitely been the time we take away from the grind and routine of daily life to seek out quality time together. We have learned that date nights and seeking out that uninterrupted time together is crucial to keeping the fun and intimacy in our marriage.

Tyler even included in our marriage vows that he would continue to “date” me the rest of his life. While sometimes its difficult to make time specifically to go on a date to talk and spend quality time together it’s worth it every time. There is something truly special that happens when we take time to celebrate one another and remain a “student” of one another… Because there is always something to learn!

How to present the 12 months of date gift

My mother in law has given these year of dates to us as a gift the last few Christmases. Each time she has presented it in a different way. For this one she had 12 envelopes filled with a coinciding poem describing what the date entailed. We then opened the box that went with the letter. She has also made a binder with each date and all the things we would need to make it happen in the sleeve protector. She’s also done a scavenger hunt where each date idea was in a box and we read clues to find the gifts! That was SO much fun. However you present it, giving this gift will make planning dates so easy. Here are the creative date ideas and I’ve added links to give you ideas for what to put in each box!

Creative date ideas for the year of dates:

Amusement Park Date

“Silver Dollar City
All year round
Tickets for you
The fun will abound.”

It just makes sense to get the season tickets to our local theme park Silver Dollar City/ White Water since we live so close and there is so much to do there! Think of something in your city that would be fun to experience together. Think of what you like to do together, whether it be season passes to a local arts theatre, hiking passes or tickets to an Escape Room. The options are endless!

With SDC, with so many festivals throughout the year and fun rides, there is no lack of fun for families. During Christmas it has become a tradition to get the yummy cinnamon bread, hot chocolate and watch the parades and see the Christmas lights. We are able to use our passes whenever we want to, either by ourselves or with a group of friends! I love that this gift is truly something we use all year long.

Coffee and Questions

“Coffee and questions
To communicate well
Find a quiet little spot
to share and to tell.”

A fun date that included money to get coffee and a box that had 20 questions to ask each other while on the date. Here is a fun box of questions I found on Amazon that can get great conversation going!

It’s fun to get to know each other even more and talk about life, dreams, & funny things. You think you know someone so well when you are married to them, but some of the answers can surprise you. Ultimately, this date is fabulous to help you continue to be intimate and hear from each other.

RELATED: Little Things We do to Keep a Strong Marriage and Family

Dinner and Shopping Date

“The love that you share needs special care
And we know you need time alone as a pair.
Off on a date night you are welcome to go
To be close together so your love will grow.
(Fave Restaurant) gift card and shopping too,
The rest, they say, is all up to you!”

Enclosed was a gift card to a local restaurant and gave us each money to shop for one another. [We actually split this date into two separate ones because we got a late start on dinner and all the shops closed once we were finished… whoops.] We each got a certain amount to spend on something we really wanted! It was a fun date and it secretly forced Tyler to enjoy going shopping with me! 🙂 It usually is a huge stretch to get him to come shopping with me. But not this time!

Couple’s Massage

“The two of you
will enjoy this day
A couple’s massage
is on the way.”

We were so excited to receive a gift certificate for a couples massage. We usually save this date when work lets out for summer or after a stressful season! Definitely a treat and one of our favorites!

Pamper Each Other Date

“A quiet at home date
Is special for you
Take turns with massages
Only the best will do.”

This envelope came with a box filled with fragrant lotions and oils, back massager, and tea light candles. Definitely makes for a romantic evening.

Stargazing Date/Picnic Date

“Find a perfect plea to enjoy the stars,
Search for different constellations and even Mars,
Take a blanket, book, goblets and wine,
Enjoy the night and together time.”

This date came with a basket filled with all of those things mentioned! Moscato, cheese & crackers set, two glasses and a blanket! Recipe for a great date for just the two of you.

RELATED: Our Saturday Morning Family Routine

Dollar Tree & Ice Cream Date

“With $5 to spend
A time limit in mind,
An unusual or interesting gift
for your mate, you will find.
Then off to ice cream
at (Restaurants name) store
Enjoy your visit and so much more!”

This date was as funny as it seems! We loved getting to be creative and find something for each other for under $5. I love that this date is super simple and inexpensive.

Adventure Date

“Rock Climbing or zip lining
the choice is up to you
Money is provided
for something fun to do.”

Enclosed was money to go to the Big Rock Climbing Gym at Southwest Missouri’s largest indoor rock climbing facility. We can’t wait to go on our “adventure date.”

Movie Date

Pick out a movie
You’ve wanted to see,
Get a soda and snacks,
time together is the key.

Included were gift cards to use at the local theatre and our favorite candies! We have enjoyed using these tickets to some great movies this year!

Game Night

“Pull out the chairs
Get out the snacks
Play some games
Have fun & Relax!”

This came with some great games to play together. Click here to see some of our favorites!

Baking Date

“Sugar Cookies are fun
to prepare and to bake
Cut them each out
And together, decorate!”

This envelope included a yummy sugar cookie recipe card and a box filled with cookie cutters and things to make the cookies. This was a fun and SWEET date.

RELATED: The Best Homemade Whole Wheat Pancake Recipe

Hiking Date

“Put on your running and/or walking gear,
Drink your water,
Take the dog,
It’s the perfect date for this time of year.”

This included a present with two water bottles and Nike t-shirts and shorts for both of us! Exercise while on a date is always a plus!

There you have it, a full year of date ideas you can give as a gift! Hope you love these ideas and can make some intentional time to put a focus on the most important relationships in your life! What are some of your favorite dates you’ve been on? It would be fun to hear other ideas in the comment below! Also, lets connect over on instagram if we haven’t yet!

Thanks for following along!

Dorothy Pro

Photos by the talented Melody G Photos.