We are all wondering about these whimsical summer evenings – 72 degrees some eves’, 62 others.  Does it make it hard to plana little couple-only time away? Not at all! You always deserve a date night, a relationship boost, a refreshing night of something different, unexpected or nostalgic…

While it may not always be warm enough for a hazy dreamy twilight walk and kiss, (at least this summer!) there are some lovely alternatives.  The UofM Showboat Theatre review is raving “a cut above”  for both the production and the acting talents of   ’The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. What could be more novel than a theatre production on a floating showboat?!  It’s got date potential and will be playing all summer! Check out the other river cruises for their possibilities!

How about a bit of nostalgia?  Try Mini Golf!   The Adventure Gardens Mini Golf has 18 holes of miniature golf surrounded by attractive gardens, landscaping, waterfalls, ponds and streams.  It is located on the west edge of Veteran’s Memorial Park on 64th and Portland.

Perhaps some music outdoors at twilight will beguile you both into a summertime frame of mind?  The Music in the Zoo has tickets for many different July and August events. There is a little something for every musical taste – try the Monkey’s (for anyone who grew up in the 70′s!) to Los Lobos, or BoyzIIMen or HippieFest 2011, or Gaellic Storm! You can’t miss, it’s a guaranteed date night winner!

And if you are looking for a truly unique date, then go no further than Out Of The Box Dates.  You simply must try “Somethin’s Cooking” or “Let the Games Begin!” Check out all our dates, games, love notes or conversation cards. And then write us with your exceptional date experiences – we’d love to hear!

Date Opportunities!

The Holidays are more than gift giving time – they are date opportunities for spending quality time together.  It doesn’t matter if you are dating, or married 20 years, amidst the “musts” and “shoulds” of holiday preparation, consider some true stress relief by spending intentional time together.

Avoid the stress – look for some great dates! We have a few suggestions for activities around town. Perhaps slip back to a simpler time?  A Victorian Christmas at the Ramsey House (Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN).   Visit the Alexander Ramsey House this holiday season as Christmas 1875 comes alive. Take in a Victorian holiday with heirloom ornaments on the 12 foot parlor tree, period china on the dining room table, and fresh cookies from the wood-burning stove.

The popular “Homecoming” holiday tours run through Jan. 3, 2010. Other special programs include Annie’s Kitchen baking classes, Victorian floral workshops and special carriage rides around Historic Irvine Park. Visitors should make their reservations early for these popular events.

Need a date with a few laughs?  A holiday favorite returns with Triple Espresso – A Highly Caffeinated Comedy.  It is back at the Music Box Theatre on Nicollet Avenue through Jan 9.  Triple Espresso tells the story of three guys whose bid for showbiz fame and fortune ended in 4-minutes of magnificent failure on national television. Hugh Butternut, Buzz Maxwell, and Bobby Bean tell their rags-to-rags story earnestly, with hysterical results. Butternut is a musician, a vulnerable soul with a lounge lizard smile; Maxwell is an uncertain magician with an attitude; and Bean is an irrepressible, all-over-the-map entertainer with big dreams. The laughter is infectious and the comedy appeals to everyone from first graders to college students to baby-boomers to grandparents.

Or perhaps a Nostalgia Date with some charitable overtones. Check out the Riverview Theatre!  In what is becoming an annual tradition, they will have screenings of A CHRISTMAS STORY on December 20-23. This year they will also have IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE on the schedule. Admission to either of these films will help benefit the local Food Shelf.  Popcorn and soft drinks will be available for just $1. Click here for more information. (Advance tickets are now on sale on their website.)

Another intimate date idea?  Consider improve theatre at Stevie Ray’s Improv company at the Chanhassen with a brand new holiday show.

Stevie Ray’s proudly presents its newest holiday comedy with music, O Little Town of Chanhassen November 19-December 30.  Enjoy holiday music and comedy!

Of course the best stress reduction is fabulous easy-to-find-gifts for your special someone – you  can shop for a unique and memorable date to give as a holiday gift! Just shop here – at Out of The Box Dates – see our exciting romantic adventures!  We wish you the best holiday season ever!

Anniversaries are a lovely time to recommit to each other and renew your relationship.  My husband and I just passed our XX anniversary (yup – it’s up there).

 We waffled a bit about a decision on how to celebrate…

 We thought about dinner out. (Always nice – we’ve celebrated that way many times) but his work schedule shot down the two weekend nights. We looked at a concert near our anniversary (we’ve done this 2 or 3 times – also a nice event if its an artist or group you both love), but it turned out the only dates for the group we wanted were on the same night as my book club, and our son’s band concert.  Then I received a Groupon or Social living discount email for a condo on the north shore – what an idea – a get-away-weekend!   

Ahhh!! – but while the kids are old enough to be alone for a dinner or concert, they are not quite the age for a weekend alone.

Have you ever been stumped this way?  We both knew the day would just slip by like any other day if we did nothing, and it certainly wouldn’t put our marriage on the rocks, but it still seemed disappointing! However, time slipped by in the rush of work, kids, and other commitments.  Before you know it, it was that night.

He had to work until 8, but I made him one of his favorite dinners.  Even lit a candle on the table. And, surprise! He brought home a dozen roses and a lovely cake from the bakery.

And being the crazy life we are all used to, we ended up eating a slice of cake for breakfast the next day!  But you know what? Classic is nice! Sometimes you just “let it go” and see what percolates up. (A+ Romantic Idea!)

If you would prefer a bit of planning, rather than an unpredictable percolation….we do understand, and recommend a truly unique and amazingly different anniversary memory.  Our advice is to visit our website for a Romantic Themed Date! ( You can even shop together….)   If you are still searching for making Staying Married memorable, here are a few suggestions:

Throw a Retro anniversary party—and dress the part!

Take your own anniversary photo and send announcements (maybe some will send gifts!)

Did you fake your way through that wedding dance? Maybe this anniversary you can recommit to dance lessons!

Throw caution to the wind, and have an anniversary sculpture made (when young – so you can look back and remember how you both looked with hair!)

 Customize your own recommit-vows ceremony! 

Then write us and tell us about your greatest hits (and fails) of anniversary celebrations. We’d love to hear from you!

We promised to look for other dates that inspire, by helping out with something larger than both of you.  Our next suggestion is for the two of you to volunteer at ”Feed My Starving Children”…and you don’t have to have kids to be part of this inspiring date!

One of Feed My Starving Children’s  (FMSC) belief statements is:  We believe that our lives are enriched when we graciously give our own time and resources to help others in need.  So why not enrich your relationship the same way?

Find something you both believe in, and a way to support it together.   FMSC makes it super easy – with 3 locations around the metro area (and 5 other states as well), and an online sign up to volunteer,  which allows you to search available timeslots in a date range. (Try signing up under “family” to get 2 or more spots). Sounds like a great date – both cheap and full of value!

FMSC is a  faith-based charity, headquartered in the Twin Cities, that is having an international impact.  FMSC seeks to ensure that every child in the world can receive adequate nutrition for healthy physical development.  In 2009, they were able to supply 96 million meals for distribution in over 62 countries.  The meals provided by FMSC are carefully designed by food scientists to provide the nutrients that malnourished children need and the success stories are impressive. 

Helping to solve the world hunger crisis is great fun at FMSC.  The volunteers (you and your date!)  will arrive for a 1.5 to 2 hour shift and watch a short motivational video,  receive a briefing on how the assembly process works, and then the take their place in the meal packing process.  The atmosphere at FMSC makes the work game-like.  Workers will give a shout when a bag of meals weighs exactly the right amount.  The music is fun and light-hearted competition is encouraged.  At the same time, the work is taken very seriously.  The ratio of ingredients is carefully maintained and the work flow maximizes output and minimizes stoppages.  When the shift is over, a staffer will tell the group what they have accomplished.  The result is always satisfying.  

So don’t delay, sign up on their website, or search out your own charitable challenge that means a lot to both of you, and find your relationship inspired on an unusual and unique date!

A Charitable Challenge

What  better way to embark on an amazing date than by trying The Great MN Race?!  Challenge yourself and your spouse/date to try something totally different in a couple’s teamwork unique date.

The Great MN Race is modeled after CBS series The Amazing Race, with a few original twists thrown in to give a local appeal. The race will benefit Urban Ventures, a faith-based non-profit that works to break the cycle of generational poverty, specifically in the Central and Phillips neighborhoods of South Minneapolis.

The Great MN Race will take teams of two across the metro area of Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota. Teams will be solving clues and performing challenging tasks that are both mental and physical in nature as they race across the city (by foot, by bus, or by train).

The Great MN Race is unlike any race in the area, combining the fun elements of racing, solving clues, and completing tasks all while exploring the urban areas of the Twin Cities.

There’s still plenty of time to find a partner and register your team of two to participate in the race. Register online for $45 before 11:59pm Friday August 27^th.  

Registration and check-in is at 8:30am on Saturday and the race begins at 9:30 at 1199 Midway Pkwy, the north side of Como Pavilion in St. Paul.

For challenge examples, race details, and other information, email info@greatmnrace.com or visit http://www.greatmnrace.com/.

We are so inspired by this charity event, we may look for more A+ romantic idea as date opportunities that allow you to both enhance your relationship on a date and support a fabulous charity. Dates that Inspire! Watch for more ideas….

Summer’s Date Night!

Every summer night can be your Summer Date Night when you start looking around at the possibilities!  Dancing under the stars?  Perhaps some live music? What better way to replenish your relationship than checking out the ready-made date nights in the Twin Cities!

Thursday evenings through August 12th, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and several partners team up to turn Landmark Center Plaza into a venue for dance.

This Thursday, July 29th is Rock ‘n’ Roll night. The evening kicks off at 6pm with instruction by Arthur Murray Dance Studio, followed by live music  from the Rockin’ Holywoods from 7:30 until 10, giving you some time to practice what you learn and dance the night away.

Beer and wine is available for purchase starting at 5:30, so you can come early and mingle with other couples before class is in session.

August 5th, the schedule remains the same for Ballroom Dance night. Cinema Ballroom will provide instruction and live music is by the Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra.

But if dancing isn’t the way to your collective heart, you and your date could check out some upcoming free movies and music. Loring Park has some A+ Date Night opportunities!

 Tuesday nights starting August 3rd and wrapping up August 24th, the live music starts at 7pm followed by the movie screenings at dusk. Then you can head over to Nick and Eddie for more live music at the afterparty.

The series kicks off August 3rd with a live set from local heroes Communist Daughter followed by a showing of Raising Arizona, written, produced and directed by St. Louis Park natives Joel and Ethan Coen. Then at the afterparty, catch local electro pop outfit Estate.

What could be better than a ready-made fresh date night with no planning required!  So if you need something more spontaneous, on a date night of your choice, visit our website.  And enjoy a summer of unique romantic adventures!

Is it all the recent rain – or is it your relationship that needs some sunshine?

Sometimes, rain or shine, you just need to get out on a date! Maybe it is time to do something different.  There are lots of fun activities in the summer in the Twin Cities.  You can do some web searches, talk to friends, or just log on here and look for some fresh date ideas…this week with an emphasis on MUSIC!

Coming soon….

Check out the Twin Cities Jazz Festival June 17 -19 at Mears Park in St. Paul

You could enjoy a relaxing date with a sit and stroll while listening to fabulous music.  Friday afternoon, the music starts at 4 p.m. on the Main Stage with Story City. There will be an additional stage, the Sixth Street Stage, with more live music on Friday night as well, featuring Pete Whitman’s X-tet and Aakash Mittal. The Main Stage headliner for the evening is Joe Lovano with Us Five starting at 8:30. 

Mears Park

Saturday the 19th includes a concert at noon on the Main Stage. Highlights for Saturday include such giants as saxophonist Bobby Watson at 4 p.m., John Ellis & Double-Wide at 6, then the main attraction at 8:30 featuring guitar virtuoso John Scofield.

Also on Saturday, a third stage is added, presented by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education. This stage features the BFGS Quartet, and a number of student jazz groups from the area.

Or flip the memorable possibilities and try a new style together – Country!

Check out Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar & Grill for a little country fun! The vibrant atmosphere would shake off the cloudiest blues. The website shows their upcoming event, including Accoustic guitar with Tim Siegler on June 21^st!  You’ll find it in the newly reborn “West End” of St. Louis Park – if you haven’t been recently you’ll find the area looking quite different! 

For those die hard rock fans who like their relationship renewal in a comfort zone, a good date night can be found between First Avenue and Hard Rock Café downtown Minneapolis .  Check out the live music on June 18^th with Big City.

Revist First  Avenue if it has been awhile. It’s been the Twin Cities Danceteria since 1970!

Check out Delta Spirit, Lookbook, or Fujun on Friday; or  the JayHawks, Haunted House, or HollyGoLightly and the BrokeOff’s on Saturday.  Or visit their full June Calendar to find your perfect date! 

Can’t you just feel the fresh sunshine of new experiences creating a new Date Night like you’ve never had before?  Of course – you also need to remember that you can find your own unique Romantic Adventure with Out of The Box Dates.  That makes for an exciting and fun date night any time – with no waiting lines!  Enjoy!

So what does this A+ romantic idea company  have in common with Bed & Breakfast Getaways?  Well, Out-Of-The-Box-Dates Founder and CEO, LeeAnn Williams participated in our very first trade show – which means YOU are going to see some more cool and unique dates around Minnesota and Wisconsin.

LeeAnn displayed Out Of The Box Dates (OOTBD) at the Crown Plaza North in Minneapolis with the specific purpose of sharing our Romantic Dates and offerings with the Bed & Breakfast community of Innkeepers.

 The Bed and Breakfast owners, all 55 of them, primarily in Minnesota, and some in Wisconsin are very proud of their properties and the experience they offer their guests.  In LeeAnn’s words, “it was a privilege to meet the owners, and hear their excitement as they shared their unique offerings. ”

OOTBD offered a free assessment of the B&B’s current romance package… and we discovered the number one reason why people don’t stay at a B&B when traveling is because… they didn’t think about it.

 We’re about to change that!  Stay tuned as each of a myriad of proposals we received to create custom dates at B&B’s  in and around their hometowns become available. You can be the first to experience an exceptional new Date!

 In the meantime, don’t be one of those people who stay in some sterile suite with bagels for breakfast, when you can  experience an OOTBD at a B&B! Check out our current exciting, no planning required,  romantic MN date called The Pillar of Love!  And feel free to click on these B&B search sites and enjoy a unique and personal travel experience!  

B&B Directory  B&B Planner  B&B Online  BnB Finder  Lanier B&B

And one more fun and amusing fact?

During the show, we found out that the first thing a male guest will do is check out the shower head to see how nice it is!

Well, we recommend you watch for Out Of The Box Dates updates regarding weekend get-away Bed & Breakfast Dream Dates…which make great gifts….(we’ll let you know about the shower!)

 Thanks to the OOTBD staff’s help in preparation for this show!

HUGE thanks especially to Scott for his help at the show!

More than Flowers:

Instead of roses or floral arrangement this year, do something really thoughtful… something that she knows you put some effort into.  Take pix of her bridal bouquet and have a florist re-create it.  It let’s her know you would marry her all over again.

My Favorite Valentine Destination for 2010:

• Loring Pasta Bar
• Sunday nights are Tango night.  It feels like you are on vacation… in a completely different place.  Enjoy dinner and watch the ballroom dancers.  Very Romantic!

 Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend:

• While diamonds may not be in your budget, you could wrap a Neil Diamond CD
• Make sure she knows that while this isn’t the precious gem, she is your treasure.
• Follow up with invite to dance to her favorite Neil Diamond song

Dial-A-Compliment: 

• Can’t think of anything… do a Dial-A Compliment card
• Involve the Kids
• On the card include a password… so each time she calls you and says the password, you give her a compliment
• Have some ready – should be thoughtful – not just your eyes are pretty – I get lost in your blue eyes and I love how you capture my gaze

Now that sounds like dialing to solve a Love Emergency!!  Thanks to our friends at Out of the Box Dates you can now feel prepared for Valentine’s Day, in unique unusual ways! If you have more ideas for us, there is still time! Submit them to romance@outoftheboxdates.com!

 Shop around the website for other Valentines Day Date Ideas!!

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!