ORIGINAL DATE TIPS

Actually, I almost don't dare to share this (mom, I really hope you don't read this), but I once had a date that you could call creative in itself, but actually also mega mega wrong. When I was about 21 and just broke up with my high school sweetheart, I went on a date with a guy who said he would arrange something fun. That fun thing was that he had gotten the keys to a friend's place who sold jacuzzis. So there we were, after closing hours in a jacuzzi with a bottle of bubbles. I told you: wrong. But hey, it makes for a fun story.

Anyways, if you want some input to spice up your own dating life a bit, here are some date tips to do something different than just having a ‘drink’ and ‘watching a movie’.

Breakfast

Dining is so standard. And sometimes just completely difficult, because what on earth should you order? No salad, because then your date might think you're the type who hardly eats. Spare ribs (delicious) is a no-go, because there is no one on the planet who can eat that in a charming way. Go have breakfast together. Most important meal of the day they say, so take advantage of it.

Barcelona (or another city)

Alright, this tip comes from Simone, because she was once taken on a date to Barcelona. No, I don't know where you can find these kinds of guys, but admit it: it's pretty original. And okay, there is of course a price tag attached so the person better be worth it. If you're wondering if anything happened between Simone and that boy? Well, no. But that wasn't due to his creativity...

An arcade

If there happen to be guys who want to take me on a date; you score a lot of points with this. If you take your date to an arcade, you show that you have a sense of humor and are up for some old school fun. In Amsterdam, the TonTon Club is definitely recommended or go to Café Parck on the Overtoom for a game of ping pong.

If you're wondering if anything happened between Simone and that boy? Well, no. But that wasn't due to his creativity...

Glow in the dark mini-golf

This. I. Want. I've been saying for I don't know how long that this seems super fun for a date, but it still hasn't happened. Nice guys, sign up!

A concert

I have a tradition with a friend where we often buy concert tickets for artists we don't know well or not at all, and we do this to broaden our musical horizon a bit. Do this with your date. It doesn't have to be an unknown artist, but just go out together to listen to music. Concerto in the Utrechtsestraat (again in Amsterdam, sorry) also has live performances from time to time. Highly recommended!

A wine tour

Because wine is good for the figure and alcohol is of course very good for those first date jitters (that's nerves, in case you didn't know).

Cinema, but different

As a movie junkie and Netflix addict a cinema date obviously has to be on my list. Now you probably think this is anything but creative, but it really depends on the cinema. Avoid places like Pathé and go to mini cinemas where they show cool arthouse films and foreign stuff. I recently went to The Movies in Amsterdam with a boy. You find small rooms there that give you an intimate feeling right away. It's just a bit more exciting than a crowded room with popcorn-eating people. A hell even, if you suffer from misophonia.

Happy dating, ladies!