Inspired
by the romantic date-night tradition set by the First
Lady and President Obama, Washington D.C. has appointed Dr. Ruth
Westheimer honorary secretary of the Department of Love and
Relationships.
Michelle and Barack's
practice of making time to connect one-on-one has set a trend that is
both pro-relationship and good for local economies. The Washington D.C.
tourism board is looking to stimulate both its economy and the
relationships of its inhabitants through its new initiative Date Night
D.C. Dr. Ruth is publicizing the district's website, which has a
"Create a Date" feature and concierge service that help you plan a
whole evening based on the kind of relationship you're in and what kind
of date you want (romantic, budget, luxe, wild card).
Here
are five Dr. Ruth-inspired tips for stepping out of the routine and
making your date night memorable:
1.
Start keeping up with events going on in your town.
Check out your daily and weekly newspapers for art, music, and other
cultural events that meet your interests and budget. This way, you'll
have a couple of ideas in the back of your mind for spontaneous
outings.
2. Plan for
your partner. What would be your partner's dream date?
Pick out the most feasible elements and plan it. Watching his or her
enjoyment will be more than worth the effort.
3.
Pick a worry-free day. A Saturday night before a busy
Sunday? Probably not going to inspire you to stay up late canoodling.
Pick a day where your mind will be as worry-free as possible. Talk,
text, and write notes playfully about the upcoming date. Building
anticipation will make it feel even more special when you finally get
to it.
4. Mix high and
low, new and old. Not sure what kind of mood you'll be
in when date night rolls around? Combinehigh- and low-octane
activities to cater to different energy levels: theme park
rollercoasters followed by a candlelit dinner, a quiet moonlit walk
followed by dancing at a bumping jazz club. Get out of your routine
without throwing off your comfort zone: A favorite restaurant followed
by a movie in a nearby town you've been meaning to explore. Or how
about an elegant classical music concert followed by burgers and beer
at your favorite dive? A mixture of familiar go- to's and totally new
and undiscovered venues will reflect the best elements of a
relationship.
5. Strip
down to your bare essentials. Spa treatments are some
of the most intimate ways to spend time with your S.O. After all, when
else do you get to gaze at one another while being rubbed in oil?
Economically speaking, spa trips are a great way to support local
businesses and personal service professionals. Your money goes straight
back in to your local community while you get to indulge in some
seriously sensual time with your partner. Even side-by-side pedicures
can be flirty and fun, and won't break the bank.
