A couple smiling at each other while holding a red heart as they are being surrounded by fairy lights: date jar ideas

52 date jar ideas for a year of date nights

A date jar is a cute and convenient tool for keeping the spark alive in your relationship. Here’s 52 fun date jar ideas for a year of date plus tips on how to make one.

A couple smiling at each other while holding a red heart as they are being surrounded by fairy lights: date jar ideas

Date nights are a crucial part of any healthy relationship – and if you’re not convinced, check out Jeffrey Dew and Brad Wilcox’s work. They found that “Couples who devote time specifically to dating one another at least once or twice a month are markedly more likely to report better relationship quality compared to couples who do not go on dates as often” (source).

And we all want better relationship quality right?

Ultimately, date nights provide a time for couples to reconnect and strengthen their emotional bond. Whether it’s trying new activities, having deep conversations, or simply enjoying each other’s company, date nights rock!

The benefits of a date night jar

A jar filled with little pink scrolled notes with a big heart on tip, made after reading these date jar ideas

Ever seen those cute date jar ideas on Pinterest but wondered exactly why you’d want one?

Through my work on habits in particular, I’ve found that activities are most likely to happen when they occur around the same time, day, and have as little friction around doing them as possible. (This is my justification for why I struggle to exercise on holiday when I’m out of routine and in full-on relaxation mode).

Using a date jar reduces decision fatigue which is a major source of friction. Sometimes it’s hard to decide what to do for date night and all that thinking can take away the fun.

Having a jar with pre-planned ideas eliminates the stress of decision-making.

Once you’ve made it (and more on that below) an easy strategy is to select the next date at the end of your current date. Then you have time to plan and get things organized.

Using a date night jar has many benefits for your relationship beside reducing the amount of decisions you make on the daily. These include:

  1. Keeping things fresh: It’s easy to get into a routine and do the same things over and over. Using a date night jar ensures that you and your partner are trying new things and keeping things exciting.
  2. Encouraging quality time: Making time for each other is important in any relationship. Using a date night jar ensures that you and your partner are spending quality time together on a regular basis.
  3. Promoting communication: Planning your date around the chosen idea encourages communication and collaboration between partners. It also gives you the opportunity to learn more about each other’s interests and preferences.
  4. Making date nights visible. By having your jar in a space you see often, you’re constantly reminding your subconscious that dates are part of your relationship and your life

How to create your date jar

A jar filled with little scrolled notes with cut out hearts surrounding it, made after reading these date jar ideas

Now you’re convinced as to why you’d want a date night jar, here’s how to make one.

Create a theme

First things first, decide on a theme or themes for your date jar. This could be anything from “outdoor adventures” to “cultural experiences.” Having a theme will help you narrow down your ideas and make it easier to plan your dates.

If you decide to do more than one theme, consider color coding the outside of your date idea so that you know what theme you’re selecting.

This was highlighted to me the other day when we had the experience of pulling out at home date ideas one after the other when we were super keen to do something outside the house.

Possible themes include:

Brainstorm date ideas

Now it’s time to start brainstorming! Think about activities you and your partner enjoy doing together and come up with new ideas that fit within your chosen theme. Some ideas might include going for a hike, trying out a new restaurant, or visiting a local museum.

Write down your ideas

Once you have a list of date ideas, write them down on slips of paper and fold them up. You could also use popsicle sticks or index cards. Make sure to mix them up so that you don’t always choose the same ideas.

Decorate your jar

If you like, get creative and decorate your jar with stickers, ribbon, or other decorative elements. Put it somewhere where you can see it.

Date jar ideas

A happy couple having a picnic, the woman laying down the man's lap, with stack of books surrounding them after reading these date jar ideas

In no particular order or category, here are 52 date jar ideas to get you thinking. You can also look at the links above under themes which will provide you with literally hundreds of suggestions.

Remember it’s really important to put only things you want to do. Yes, stretch your comfort zone, but if, for example, opera makes you want to stab yourself in the leg with a pencil, don’t put it on your list.

  1. Go on a picnic in the park (try these romantic picnic foods)
  2. Take a cooking class together
  3. Have a game night at home
  4. Attend a live music event
  5. Go on a hike or nature walk
  6. Take a dance class
  7. Visit a local museum
  8. Visit an art gallery
  9. Go to a comedy club or improv show
  10. Have a spa day at home
  11. Attend a sporting event
  12. Take a scenic drive or road trip (ask these road trip questions)
  13. Go to a cheese or chocolate tasting tour
  14. Take a yoga or fitness class together
  15. Go stargazing
  16. Attend a food festival
  17. Have a movie marathon at home
  18. Go to a night market
  19. Go to a theme park or carnival
  20. Take a day trip to a nearby city
  21. Go to a science museum
  22. Go on a hot air balloon ride
  23. Go out for dessert
  24. Have a craft night at home
  25. Have a DIY home improvement project night
  26. Go on a sunset or sunrise hike
  27. Visit a local farmer’s market
  28. Have a baking competition
  29. Go to an escape room
  30. Take a pottery or ceramics class
  31. Go on a city bike tour
  32. Rent a tandem bike
  33. Attend a cultural festival or event
  34. Have a fondue night at home
  35. Visit the botanical gardens
  36. Go on a photo walk
  37. Go on a ghost tour or haunted house adventure
  38. Attend a food truck festival
  39. Go on a boat ride
  40. Get a couple’s massage
  41. Binge watch a season of your favorite show
  42. Rent a paddleboat
  43. Take a meditation or mindfulness class together
  44. Attend an author event
  45. Do a sport stadium tour
  46. Have a date night at a fancy restaurant
  47. Take a horseback riding lesson or trail ride
  48. Have a chocolate fountain night at home
  49. Attend a film festival or movie screening
  50. Go on a helicopter tour
  51. Go out for brunch
  52. Have a breakfast in bed date

You could also check out these alphabet date ideas.

Using your date jar

A woman opening a jar filled with little scrolled notes after reading these date jar ideas

Of course something is only good if it’s used, right?

Don’t let your date jar become a one-time thing. Keep adding new ideas to it, and make a commitment to choose a new date idea at least once a month.

When you choose the slip of paper from the jar, sit down together and actively plan your date around that idea. Remember, the idea is to try something new and have fun together.

Remember my suggestion to do that at the end of your previous date so you always have something fun to look forward to.

Enjoyed these date ideas and want more? Try these date ideas for couples.