Out of the Box Dates Welcomes You! » Playful

Making Space for Monkey Business

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:20:52 +0000

Upgrade your Happiness!

We tend to think of idleness and play as indulgences or distractions from what we should be doing…but low productivity pursuits can have some surprising benefits!

Any of us can be accused of treating our relationship like a back-burner item. We have eternal responsibility – demands of work, pay the mortgage, run kids to extracurricular activities – it can keep a person running 24/7. It feels impossible to “steal time” for pure enjoyment or relaxation.

But studies have shown that downtime and self-renewing enjoyments can help us upgrade our overall levels of happiness and even boost our creativity and mental clarity. What better ways to increase creativity, clarity, and happiness in your relationship than to spend some time with your spouse that is purely play time?!

Accumulated stress can spill over into all areas of our lives. “Without renewal,” writes Stephen Covey, author of the famed The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, on his website “the body becomes weak, the mind mechanical, the emotions raw, the spirit insensitive, and the person selfish.” So how do you bring playtime into everyday life with your spouse?

The act of daydreaming does some interesting things to your brain. There is an arch through the midline of the brain, according to Marcus Raichle, PhD, who published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing a cluster of the brain that is affected by “downtime”. This arch is the “default network” utilizing strong connections with parts of our brain involving decision-making, memories, and content with emotional significance to us. When you daydream, this default network leaps into action and makes sense of the occurrences, actions, feelings, all the bits that make up our crazy days. This heightened “processing” in the arch is the best way to invite ideas and solutions. It can create the Eureka factor – sudden realization or insights.

So daydreaming, especially with your spouse, can be a fabulous way to relax, have fun, and allow your brain to produce a better brighter you! Better for the relationship, better for the family, better for the job.

So don’t think of it as “working” on your relationship. Solve two things at once – playtime with your spouse, and being a happier more creative individual! Whether it is daydreaming together, taking a walk, or doing something together that is not targeted towards a result – in short, Monkey Business – you will just feel your brain working better after playtime, as well as experience a relaxed and enjoyable relationship moment.

Love Olympics

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:43:22 +0000

Can you win the Gold?

Top 5 Events You Shouldn’t Miss!

1 ~ Spontaneity Skiing With just a little “thinking cap” effort, you could find yourself with a medal! Surprise your spouse with an unusual outing.

It doesn’t really have to be skiing; perhaps you just haven’t gone bowling in years. Or stretch a little and rent some snowshoes at your county park. Or suprise him/her with some live theatre tickets. Visit http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/

2 ~ Bobsledding for Compliments

Go ahead! Just jump on and go for compliments on ice! How quickly can you tell your significant other all their best qualities? They won’t even mind a few sharp turns as you warm up and gain momentum, including things they’ve done that made you proud, or what simply makes them special to you!

3 ~ Cross-Country Communication

Communication really is a cross-country event. You need stamina, a strong heart, and lots of practice. Winning at communication with your significant other means daily practice, not just when you might want something!

It is the art of asking questions, as well as the art of listening. Some couples do well setting aside a private time, just for them. Whether it is morning coffee before breaking out the newspaper, or a glass of wine over dinner, you just need to make a pact that you will continuously practice, and make time for each other. An evening walk around the block together is good for the heart, and c-c communication!

4 ~ Inspirational Ice Hockey

Need a little inspiration to make sure you don’t skate past opportunities in your relationship? If you’ve had that passing thought, “I should have done that” or “I could do that” but you didn’t go for the next step, then take some inspiration from Out of the Box Dates! These ultimate adventures could be your own personal Olympics! Score a 10 with an amazing date…just check out the Shop link next to this blog! Don’t take our word for it – read the Testimonials! http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/testimonials.php

5 ~Figure Skating Fun

What Olympic experience would be complete without figure skating? Swirling couples in perfect unison, they create the picture of Ideal Romance!

Not an idealist? No problem! Most relationships are strengthened through sheer fun! Ask your spouse what their idea of a fun outing is. You might be surprised! And it might be easier to create some fun than you think! Challenge him/her to a cook-off! Give him/her a punch card with 5 chances to do what they think is most fun as a couple. You’d be surprised what a $15 nerf gun battle can do to make you think of nothing but each other! Live it up! You both deserve some fun!

Don’t be a bystander, join the Olympics! Create your own events! And go for the GOLD!

Effortless “WOW” Dates

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:19:47 +0000

Great Dates that Shout “WOW” without all the planning!

How do you plan for such a date for one of the toughest Date Nights of the year? There are options!

You could just spend a ton of money:

4 star restaurant – but you better have a reservation already
Big concert – check out Ticketmaster – pay more to get good seats
Plan a party – but I guess you wouldn’t be looking here if you’d done that

You could also go for the minimalist approach

Red roses (never mind the number that turn droopy in 3 days)
Hand made card ( a trip to Michaels? Hallmark first to get ideas?)
Lobster Dinner at home (well – rent a chef? Ok – add to above points $$)

Let’s face it. The date that you can plan in the next two weeks is a box date. You can find it, because it’s in a box – you know – four corners, square, exactly as expected. But you are not a box person! You are looking for something

Unique
Surprising
Personal
Memorable
Exciting
Inspiring
Romantic

A REAL Valentine’s Day Date is one that doesn’t fit all the usual suspects. Have you seen this one coming?? YOU NEED AN

Yes! A romantic WOW date –without the planning!

If you have been reading this blog, but have yet to check out the rest of the website, now is the time! The most WOW date you can imagine is at your fingertips!

Without a ton of money
Without any planning
You will find personal touches - discover surprises in the “Secretly Hers” and “Secretly His” envelopes
Unique and tantalizing specially designed romance games
All the supplies (some silly and some dreamy) for your date
As with all of our dates, your adventure begins the week leading up to your date

So NOW is the time to go shopping…for your WOW Valentine’s Date! No planning – just shop and click!

V-Day Advice from the Stars

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:03:25 +0000

It’s never too early (or late) to plan for Valentine’s Day!

Send us your best/worst Valentines Day experience! Submit to

romance@outoftheboxdates.com. Your submission will remain anonymous.

But we really do have some advice from some Stars….and others…on Valentines Day plans. For example, Mr. McDreamy (aka Patrick Dempsey)’s recent interview in Reader’s Digest reveals:

Love before jewelry. “I’ve never really believed in Valentine’s Day. You’re anxious about buying the right gift, but it’s really about your heart, not a TV commercial for De Beers diamonds. The best Valentine’s Days are magical and spontaneous and just sort of unfold.”

Advice from the Advice Girl

Things to do for Valentines Day: “Whatever you do, remember not to take Valentine’s Day too seriously. Having fun, or just kicking back and relaxing, is way more important than trying to have some perfect romantic night that won’t live up to your expectations anyway.”

Try something completely different! How about a book for Valentines Day? Check out Valentine Delights from Harlequin…. “Accompanied by recipes for decadent chocolate treats, the three stories found in Valentine Delights are sweet, sumptuous, and perhaps even better than chocolate!”

My funny Valentine: Here’s some useful romance advice…maybe.

Don’t sign that card “Love” unless you really mean it!
Never guess sizes when buying her fancy underwear!
Get busy in the boudoir and then fight about money!

So – Get It Together! Time To Plot Out Your Strategy! Then Email us your Best/Worst Valentines Day! We really want to know! romance@outoftheboxdates.com.

Secret to an Unusual Date

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:45:40 +0000

Tell us YOUR romantically unusual Dates!

Yes, this blog post is about the Secret to the Unusual Date, but in preparation for Valentines Day, we’d love to get some real life examples of your romantically unusual Valentine’s Day dates! Please email your Best or Worst unusual Valentine’s Date to romance@outoftheboxdates.com. Your submission will remain anonymous!

So what do we mean by unusual?

Truly, there are some unusual dates out there. Don’t have the stomach to take tango lessons together? Not considering the tandem sky diving lessons that have popped up? Whether your partner is married to you, or you are planning a date with someone new, it is courageous to desire to create the unusual date! Dinner and a Movie couldn’t be more passé, not to mention you don’t get to converse while watching a movie!

So how do you make it unusual without making it a turn-off?

The key is in unlocking your observational skills and looking for unique things you have noticed about your date or spouse. Think about his/her interests or hobbies or a chance remark about travel. A personalized approach to date planning is endearingly appreciated by the recipient!

Need some suggestions to get you started? Well, here are a few unusual date ideas:

S/he nurtures a desire to paint? Try an art school where you can enroll together for a workshop – include a kit of some painting supplies as your invite!
Does S/he love reading? Ask at your local bookstore about an author- reading coming up. You could tuck the invitation inside a copy of a book by that author.
Perhaps cooking is a favorite? Try looking for a local high-end cooking store. Many of them offer “event” classes, like a couples cooking class, or a special menu preparation class (you just watch & eat) combined with live music or a classic film. You could copy off a description of the class event registration and slide it in a basket of cooking goodies.
A fashion guru? Do some googling or check with local boutiques asking about any upcoming fashion galas (could be only once a year – so planning required!)
You uncover that s/he loves the idea of a trip to Africa or the Amazon. It may not be the same, but s/he will appreciate your surprise visit to a zoo. Many zoo’s offer special events for new members – buy her/him a membership and see!
And of course, not all of us can create something out of thin air – and that is why Out Of The Box Dates is such a great idea! Check it out! http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/romantic-adventure-shop.php

Once you think of something that you are sure s/he is interested, work through your friends – connections- brainstorm- to create a truly unique and personal date. It’s a great romantic gesture, practically guaranteed to be not only an Unusual Date, but a success! And the key to their heart!

Naughty or Nice?

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:34:33 +0000

Are you asking Santa or your partner?

Are you a shoe-in for Santa’s nice list? Maybe it’s time to shake things up a bit. Every relationship could use a little naughty now and again! No, I don’t mean Tiger naughty. But sometimes you have to practice being playful. Do something unexpected.

For example, those 4 inch shoes you wouldn’t wear on a bet in the real world, can make life fun and interesting in the bedroom! You don’t need to spend a fortune – a quick web search will show you that you can get a little playful diversion for $15.

Next time you have a few minutes – look around for something unusual – not your typical style or look, but perhaps in the safety of your own home you can take the risk! Pearl champagne toe thong? $10!!

Or, look no further than this website! The Passport to Intimacy may be just what Santa would put in your stocking! You can visit the Grand Can-Yen or the Great Barrier Reef-lexes! Check it out for only $6.99! http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/more-shopping.php#passportintimacy

Take a risk! And a little cinnamon and spice to your relationship. Try shopping at www.Buycostumes.com You’ll both enjoy the fun! And there may even be time before Christmas…or at least New Years Eve!