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The holiday season is fast approaching, which means life is about to get busier, crazier, and pretty hectic. With all the cooking, cleaning, shopping, and prepping that has to happen, sometimes it’s hard to find time to yourself, let alone time for a date night. I think it’s important to make a little time for love this holiday season, and today I have some great ideas to get you ready for the perfect date night. I’ve got my list of Date Night Essentials to keep handy in your bag, plus a handy tutorial on creating a simple and unique date-night-to-remember with my DIY 12 Days of Holiday Date Nights Coupon Book.
The holiday season is really about creating memories that will last. One special way I love to celebrate with is a 12 Days of Date Nights coupon book. This coupon book is a really fun tradition that you can repeat year after year, and it’s something that can be done with your special someone OR with your kids and family for a family date night. I just love it because it’s a way to ensure that you’re spending some time making memories, instead of missing out on the real reason for the holiday season.
Using the printable I have for you (it’s at the bottom of the page!), just fill in the activities you want to do (I’ve also got a list of ideas for you!), hole punch them, and put them on a ring (or a piece of ribbon, or baker’s twine, or wire–use your imagination!). You can decorate them as much or as little as you want, then gift them to your loved ones. Your special someone can redeem these coupons for any twelve date nights during the holiday season, and you’ll have a ton of great memories made.
The coupon book can also double as a mini album: take a few snaps during each date, get them printed in mini-size, then insert them into the coupon book when finished. It’s the perfect way to keep your holiday memories.
These activities can either be a date night out OR a stay-at-home date. I like to balance the activities between the two, planning a few of each. Some of the dates are done in front of the tv, in the kitchen, or even the Christmas tree. A few are dates that involve going out, but don’t need a whole lot of planning. I also like to include two or three dates that involve dressing up and going out–I check local website guides, deal sites, and newspapers for holiday ideas that are nearby. These require a little forethought and planning, but you can make them as simple or as complicated as you like.
To get prepped for my 12 Nights of Date Nights, I stopped by our local Walmart to stock up on my Date Night Essentials:
I like to keep my bag stocked with everything I might need while I’m out–you never know what might happen! I keep my bag stocked with the essentials to keep me fresh, energized, and healthy for a night out on the town.
Here’s what you’ll find in my Date Night bag:
Minty fresh gum:
You’ve gotta be prepared for anything when you’re out on a date, and you don’t want to be left with less-than-fresh breath. I always keep a pack of minty gum on hand to freshen up after a dinner out or a coffee date.
2. A smoothing lip treatment: ChapStick Total Hydration
You’ve gotta be prepared for those romantic date night smooches, so I always prep my lips with a super moisturizing lip treatment. I love the new ChapStick Total Hydration: the 100% natural advanced nourishing formula is made with argan oil (which I’m totally obsessed with!), as well as avocado butter and rosehip oils. It feels super smooth on your lips and helps them look healthier too.
3. A tummy tamer: Nexium 24HR
There’s nothing worse than being out on the town and being hit with a killer case of heartburn. I love me some after dinner coffee, tomato-based pasta sauces, and richly prepared food and drinks–especially when I’m out for a special night–but they don’t always love me back! I always make sure to keep an acid blocker on hand to bring relief after those rich meals and drinks. Nexium is the #1 prescribed acid blocker brand (Based on IMS health data: total Nexium® prescriptions 2006 – 2014), and brings all-day, all-night heartburn relief. (May take 1-4 days to take effect. Use as directed.)
4. A fast-acting pain reliever: Advil Liqui-Gels
Nothing ruins a date night faster than a killer headache. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it seems I get headaches more often this time of year, too! I always make sure to keep my Advil Liqui-Gels in my bag so I can kick the pain fast and easy. Nothing is faster on tough pain like muscle aches, headaches, and joint pain (use as directed).
5. A quick, healthy pick-me-up: Emergen-C
When you’re out late at night, sometimes you need a little boost of energy. I love to keep a packet of the raspberry flavor of Emergen-C in my bag for a quick pick-me-up. With essential vitamins and minerals, it gives me a natural boost of energy without caffeine–and it gives me a boost of vitamins to keep me healthy too.
With my bag all packed and ready, I’m definitely ready for my 12 Days of Date Nights Coupon Book. Here’s how to put your own together for your special someone:
Print my Date Night Coupon Book on cardstock. You’ll need at least two copies of the PDF–I use 13 cards: 1 for the cover and 12 coupons, one for each date. You can find the PDF file here: holiday date night book
2. Cut out each card using scissors or a paper trimmer, then hole punch the stack in the top corner.
3. Choose 12 dates for you and your special someone. As I mentioned before, I like to choose a mix of stay-at-home, simple dates, easy outdoor dates, and just a couple “night on the town” dates that require special planning.
Here are a few ideas for fun and easy stay-at-home holiday dates:
bake and decorate Christmas cookies
make homemade eggnog
pop popcorn and watch your favorite holiday movies
create your own personalized Christmas playlists (divide your songs in half and each choose your favorites) to play all season long
have a gingerbread house decorating competition
make paper snowflakes
have a picnic by the Christmas tree
play game boards by the tree
take Christmas photos
make mulled wine
make ornaments for the tree
You can also find some great deals and ideas on your local event deal sites. We love to see performances of Christmas plays, ballets, operas, and musicals. They really help put us into the holiday spirit.
Once you’ve decided on your 12 dates, write one on each Date Night Coupon card.
4. Bind your cards together with a metal ring, piece of ribbon, or even some baker’s twine.
5. Give the gift of dates to your favorite special someone!
Want more great purse essential ideas to keep you healthy for every part of life? Check out what other bloggers have to say about Pfizer products here.
What are your Date Night Essentials? Leave your must-haves in the comments below!
The post In My Bag: Date Night Essentials + DIY 12 Days of Holiday Date Nights Coupon Book #BeHealthyForEveryPartOfLife appeared first on Ya Gotta Have a Hobby.