Date in a Box Series #1- Unbox Love

Are you ever too busy to go on a date or even plan a date? It seems like we all have become so busy that sometimes we simply forget or don't have time to plan! Well, there are some great companies out there that are willing to do 100% of the work for you! They are Date Night Subscriptions where every month they send you a dat in a box and you take part and have fun with your spouse! We are going to run a series on some of the Date Night Subscriptions and give our honest opinion on just how well we think it works and if we felt like it was worth the month that they charge!

Up First! Unbox Love My husband and I received the November box from this great company to try out! It came at a perfect time because I had just found out I was pregnant and was suffering from terrible morning sickness and did not feel like going out and spent many days in bed.
I opened the box prior to Ty coming home from work. I love that they provided me with Time Saving Tips and a recipe to try! Along with that, Unbox Love sent directions on just how to go about our date with 4 simple steps. They sent for His Eyes Only and Her Eyes only Cards as well, which you will use during the date on the Appreciation step!

It asked us to "pop" our snack and while we did this appreciate one another with various things that it told us to do in the directions. After this. we got to get competitive, who doesn't love a little competition? They sent us Tummple Time A challenging twist on Jenga. And Yes, we did have a little side competition going and I won! They encourage you to share using #unboxlove! After the game they give some wrapping up ideas.
Overall, we really loved our Unbox Love Date Box. It was so nice that everything was planned out for us and gave us ways to connect as well as ways to have some friendly competition. If you are a busy couple who needs a pre planned at home date this is a good company to go through.

There are three subscription options: Month to month, 3 months, or 6 months. The prices vary depending on which package you choose. from $39.00 to $34.00. You can also gift these boxes, but that does cost a little bit more. For the pricing click here! Shipping is free and arrives right on your door step and is all ready to go! I would recommend this Date Night Subscription Box to others based on the box we received for November!

Be sure to follow Unbox Love on Twitter! #UnboxLove


*These opinions gave are the honest opinions of Date Night Rewards. We were in no way paid for our opinion. We did receive a complimentary box to try and and review.

Miniature Golf

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One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of dating is miniature golf.  I’m not sure why other than it’s probably some of the first dates I ever went on.  This is a fun date idea because it’s nostalgic and a little competitive.  A great place to go is the Family Fun Center in Tukwila.  Not only can you putt a few holes, but you can race go-karts, play laser tag, air hockey, and arcade games.  This date makes you feel like a kid again as you have fun, earn tickets, and win some “cool” prizes.  Having fun together is a great way to strengthen your marriage.  Work, kids, bills, and other obligations can get overwhelming and stressful at times.  It is okay to take a break and not worry about anything serious for an evening.  It can help relieve stress and help you turn towards each other.

The Museum of Glass

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I went on a really great date recently and I just have to tell about it!  Growing up I had always been fascinated by watching people blow glass and create beautiful art from molten glass on television.  For Valentine’s Day I was able to go see a famous Italian artist work in the hot shop at the glass museum in Tacoma.  I was mesmerized by the process and couldn’t comprehend the end from the beginning.  I think this is true in marriage.  Sometimes we can feel like we don’t know what we got ourselves into.  We may not know how things will look 10 or 20 years from now, but we do know with careful and constant care not only can we survive the heat, but it helps mold our marriage into a masterpiece.

I was also able to spend some time wandering the exhibits and take a class where I was able to make a small work of art- a heart that was decorated and then put in the kiln to bind the pieces together.  It is the experiences we go through together that help us fall in love.

If you end up getting hungry, I suggest a really great restaurant across the street called Indochine.

Find Your Purpose

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When we know what we want in life our decisions lead us towards that point.  Instead of being reactive to life we should be engaged and not let life just happen to us.

John Gottman talks about this principle as creating shared meaning.  In marriage, when meaning is shared, conflict and problems tend to be less intense.  You are connected on a deeper level through the experiences you go through together.  Work and sacrifice will be required, but that helps accomplishment and joy feel that much stronger.

Tonight is an at home date where you take the time to think about the future and makes plans to reach a goal together.  It may be saving for a vacation, getting more education, working on expressing appreciation more often, etc.  Once you have picked a goal, create a plan and get excited for the future.  What is already helping you get to that point?  What needs to change?  Working together towards a common dream is only going to increase you happiness and satisfaction.

Celebrate your new plan by making plans to go out to eat to your favorite restaurant.  If appropriate, share your plan with your friends or family to help keep you accountable and help you stay on course.

Having goals and objectives will keep you grounded when times get tough.

Freshen Up

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Last week I was feeling kind of blah.  I think winter has really been getting to me and I’ve been in need of a change… something to get me out of my rut and feel excited.  A friend of mine who owns a salon happened to be in town and we planned a fun weekend where a bunch of us got our hair cut and colored.  I love the feeling of a fresh haircut and think this could be a great date idea!  Schedule hair appointments together and make a night out of it.  Get dressed up and sport your new do at a fancy restaurant.  If you don’t feel like spending a fortune, John Howie’s and Ruth’s Chris both have affordable happy hour menus.

Taking time to break up monotony and routine is good for your marriage.  Making a change can be the beginning of other good changes to come.  A new hair cut can help you feel more confident, empowered, and sexy.

Build a Fort

This date idea takes us back to our childhood days of creativity and imagination.  Gather up some couch cushions, blankets, pillows, sheets, and build a fort together!  (Tip: We use the kitchen table or a card table as the base for our forts because it gives it a lot of good structure.)  Once you finish the space either take some time to talk with each other or watch a movie together.  This lighthearted activity is sure to help you relax and let loose for the evening.  It’s healthy to be a little bit silly sometimes.  You will strengthen your relationship by practicing team work and having fun together.

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Success Isn’t Given, it’s Earned

When you get married, you enter the playing field.  Once you get on the field it’s not about whether you are liked or not.  What matters is to play the game consistently and doing what it takes to help your team win.  What each player needs to remember is that they are part of a team, it’s not an individual event.  If you find yourself butting heads lately, it might be time to take a trip out to Arena Sports in Redmond for some indoor soccer.

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On this date you’ll learn to be a team.  You’ll have to work together to win the game on the field or in life.  An important skill for success is knowing when to take a “time out”.  Just like playing sports or heading to the spa can be relaxing and rejuvenating, so can taking a time out from a heated conversation or argument.  When couples are stressed out, they do not communicate well.  People end up saying things they later regret when they go into a fight or flight response during an argument.  Once you practice this concept a few times, it will become an effective, healthy, and natural way to communicate.  You are a team no matter what and your love should be the number one fan cheering you on through all the different fields of life.

A marriage can be applied to sports

Just like in sports success is not given, it’s earned

On the field

On the track

In the gym

With blood, sweat, and an occasional tear

http://www.arenasports.net/locations/redmond-facility

(This article is based on one written for the Great Dates Houston Blog.  For more dating ideas and tips, visit: greatdateshouston.blogspot.com)