Unique Date Ideas For Every Stage Of Your Relationship
Relationships are such exciting and wonderful adventures. When you're in love, you basically want to celebrate all the time. You want to announce to the world how happy you are by shouting it from the rooftops.
Anniversaries don't just start after one year of dating — you want to celebrate all the important benchmarks that make your relationship special.
And why wouldn't you? You're excited to be with this person! Three months may seem like an unusual relationship milestone, but it isn't. It's your prerogative, my love-sick friend.
Yet there are certain complications that inevitably arise when it comes to pairing the right celebratory event with your particular anniversary. You don't want to go too big or too small. You don't want to freak out your SO with a pony and 100 red roses after a week of dating, but you also don't want him or her to feel unappreciated because you thought fast food and a movie was appropriate for your three-year anniversary. It's all about balance.
Show your SO how much you care with these adorable and unique date ideas for every stage of your relationship.
One month: dinner and a movie
When you've only been dating a month, it's exciting but also a little awkward. It's been four weeks and neither one of you knows how to celebrate — or if you even SHOULD celebrate.
PSA: Be sure you have that little talk before you buy the flowers, guys.
Instead of making things weird with roses and her name outlined in candles while you balance a boombox on your shoulder, go on a simple, no-pressure date.
Dinner and a movie doesn't scream celebration, but it lets your new SO know that you care and want to spend time together. It's a classic that never goes out of style.
Three months: tickets to a concert or a show
After three months, you want to do something special but not too flashy. Show how thoughtful you are by purchasing tickets to see a band perform live. If you don't want to go that route, you can also look into what plays and musicals are currently in town.
I mean, who WOULDN'T freak out at the opportunity to see "Hamilton" on date night?
And it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg: Just tap into your rewards points to book and pay for the tickets in advance. See, you don't have to break the bank to go on a fun and exciting date.
One year: a long weekend away
After a year, you and your boo are really serious. Instead of a fancy dinner, opt for a long weekend away. Research cute, homey locations, limiting your search to places you can drive to in under three hours.
On a budget? No problem. Here again you can use your rewards points to stretch your paycheck and get deals on everything from your car rental to your hotel. Bonus points if you turn your phones off and just focus on each other.
Two years: a real travel adventure
Committing to an actual vacation is pretty risky when you're less than two years into a relationship. You don't always know where you'll stand in the coming months. But after two years, you're solid enough to go on a real adventure.
And you NEED to travel with your SO before you say “I do.” It teaches you so much about your relationship and gives you invaluable insight into how the other person really thinks.
Do something BIG for this trip. Go to a different country. Swim in Lake Como. Walk along the Great Wall. Have a real experience together. Make lasting memories that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.
Three years: fondue date night
After three years of happiness and love, what better way to celebrate than with a delicious night of fondue? At this point in your relationship you're over the crazy romantic gestures and in a comfortable, steady routine.
Fondue is fun, playful and delicious. There's no better way to say I love you than with strawberries dipped in chocolate on sticks. Or bread dipped in cheese on sticks. Or really anything dipped in a delectably melted sauce on sticks.
The evening has the potential to get very romantic. I mean, it's been three years so maybe an engagement ring is on the table? Just sayin'.
Five years: hotel staycation
After five years together a lot can happen. There may be kids in the picture, a mortgage or in-laws. And even if you're not hitched yet, five years is a really long time!
You two lovebirds deserve a treat! Get yourselves a fancy hotel room for the night. Wear robes. Drink champagne. Reignite the romance. Be a real baller and finally cash in some of those credit card rewards points to book the room — and maybe even upgrade to a suite.
It's been five years, you lucky people! Celebrate!
No matter what milestone you've reached in your relationship, you deserve to celebrate in style. This year, American Express is offering Card Members the chance to use Membership Rewards points for more than 25 memorable experiences and products. Visit the Anniversary Collection website to start using those points for everything from tickets to "Hamilton" to once-in-a-lifetime experiences like dinner inside the Galleria dell'Accademia.
