{"id":37443,"date":"2022-08-02T05:21:10","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T11:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/?post_type=blog&p=37443"},"modified":"2022-08-01T16:25:54","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T22:25:54","slug":"grocery-games-and-other-creative-outings","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/blog\/grocery-games-and-other-creative-outings\/","title":{"rendered":"Grocery Games (and Other Creative Outings)"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I was in college, most of my friends didn\u2019t have much extra cash. As such, I remember hearing about some creative date ideas. For example, ride the MAX (Portland light rail) to the airport and wander around, people-watching and looking at the shops. Or, keeping it on campus, spread out a blanket and take your cafeteria food to go for an impromptu picnic. Some couples would go to the library or a local bookstore and each find a favorite book to discuss with their date.<\/p>\n

Necessity (and lack of capital) was the mother of invention as poor college students found creative ways to spend time with each other. By the number of marriage invitations on the community bulletin board each spring, their strategies apparently worked!<\/p>\n

It seems that creative, low-key dates are making a comeback among Gen Z<\/a>, including this one involving a popular grocery store:<\/p>\n

\u201cGarnering nearly two billion views on TikTok, \u201cTrader Joe\u2019s Date Night\u201d is the newest viral trend for Gen Z. Kicking it old-school with Rock! Paper! Scissors! (or ro-sham-bo) couples are shopping the aisles of Trader Joe\u2019s, throwing down over who will get to choose each course for dinner. The trend began in March 2022 and has exploded as the hashtags #traderjoesdatenight\u00a0and #traderjoesdatenightchallenge are popping up by the hundreds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Couples compete over the choice of drink, appetizer, entree, side and dessert. Personally, I love the fun and creativity of this date idea. You need to eat anyway, so why not purchase dinner at an affordable grocery store and have some laughs doing it?<\/p>\n

Thinking outside the box <\/strong><\/h4>\n

In my over-a-decade of dating (now that I\u2019m married), I know how easy it is to choose the usual date night ideas \u2014 dinner and a movie, coffee, or streaming a TV show \u2014 especially when going out is so expensive. But shaking things up can show you a different side of the person you\u2019re dating. Here are a few affordable creative date (or group) ideas:<\/p>\n

Thrift a gift.<\/strong> With a price limit of $5, part ways in a thrift store and buy the other person a gift. After presenting the gifts to one another, explain why you chose the item you did.<\/p>\n

Study buddy.<\/strong> Is there something you both want to learn more about \u2014 logic, photography, how to play the bass (or catch a bass)? Check out books from the library or find YouTube videos to study on your own time. Then create check-in times to discuss or practice what you\u2019re learning.<\/p>\n

Game night surprise.<\/strong> This idea works well as a group date or group gathering. Have each person bring his or her favorite game and<\/em> favorite snack\/dessert\/appetizer. Not only will you have a fun game night, but you\u2019ll enjoy good food while learning about people\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n

Walk and talk.<\/strong> This is a classic cheap date. Choose a fun place to explore on foot. A cool downtown area or a popular public walking path. Sometimes side-by-side conversation can change things up from the usual across-the-table perspective.<\/p>\n

Vintage activity.<\/strong> Look for deals at your local roller-skating rink, putt-putt golf course, drive-in movie theater, or bowling alley. These activities may cost more, but it can be a lot of fun to relive your childhoods.<\/p>\n

Serve together.<\/strong> One of my college friends often did grocery store runs with her now-husband to gather supplies for the youth group where they both served. She says that those outings revealed her boyfriend\u2019s character and drew her toward him as he tackled the task with diligence and made her feel special as his partner in crime.<\/p>\n

Take in a free event.<\/strong> Whether it\u2019s live music at the park, a free lecture at the library, or a coffee tasting at a local coffee shop, a free event can provide you with lots to talk about while building camaraderie.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re in a relationship or interested in starting one up, you don\u2019t have to spend a fortune or settle for an uninspired date night. Take a cue from Gen Z and look for creative ways to take advantage of the many low-cost opportunities surrounding you. What date ideas would you add to the list?<\/p>\n

Copyright 2022 Suzanne Hadley Gosselin. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t have to spend a fortune or settle for an uninspired date night. Look for creative ways to take advantage of the many low-cost opportunities surrounding you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":37445,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[5,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37443","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dating","category-relationships"],"yoast_head":"\nGrocery Games (and Other Creative Outings) - Boundless<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You don\u2019t have to spend a fortune or settle for an uninspired date night. 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