It’s spring/summertime in South Africa and with the sun out and shining, it’s a great time to be outside and especially with a person you’ve been interested in, dating, in a relationship with, in a situationship with, you’re courting or just even a summer fling. While love is in bloom and the air, Cyril’s economy isn’t doing us any favours with petrol sitting at R30 rand and looking to increase next month so as a member of the Broke Lovers Club, I thought let me give you all some spots and activities you can do with your significant other this summer. The best part about these dates is that they allow for conversation and getting to know and invest in the other person.
5. PICNIC DATE
With it being the summertime, the sun is out, the flowers and trees are in full bloom and the scenery outside is just stunning so obviously doing a picnic is the go-to. That is why it sits at 5 because I do feel it’s the easiest and most convenient option but it’s also because depending on the food and beverages that you are finding yourself indulging in it could be more expensive than anticipated but still affordable.
4. ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
When I say adventure activities I’m thinking of things like quad-biking, horse-riding, archery, go-karting etc. It sounds expensive and that we are planning a bush getaway but thanks to the FOMO app, it really doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. On the app you can find specials and deals for couples and even group packages for such activities at a great price and they still give you a PayFlex option to pay with so you can budget and pay in instalments. The most challenging part is just that these activities are usually happening within in Hartbeespoort or Pretoria which are 40-60min drives from Johannesburg depending on the area you live in but that also makes it fun because you now have a mini road-trip with your partner and can have an aux battle to see who has the better music taste as well as create a new memory for the both of you.
3. SPA DATE
Again, I know when you hear words like spa date, automatically your wallet clinches faster than your bootyhole when you need to release some gas but you’re sitting with your crush or boo thing and you’re still trying to impress them but again I’ll tell you don’t let fomo (fear of missing out) get the best of you but rather use the FOMO app to get the best deals. It’s end of year fatigue is kicking in, work deadlines are on our necks, and exam season is finishing the students so some pampering and rest will be highly appreciated and go a long way. There are many couple package deals and even one-person deals because self-love is key. Spoil yourself and your partner this summer and get some rest while you’re at it.
2. MINI GOLF/PUTT-PUTT
We’ve all seen the movies and series where the rich go to country clubs and go enjoy a game of golf with their friends or partners. While they are there, they are having drinks, food, chats and laughs. An overall good time. Now, while you might not have the love or money for actual golf and these country clubs, there’s always mini golf for you. You can go mini golfing at one of the four Adventure Golf franchises in Johannesburg. They all have 3 courses with 9 hole that you get to enjoy for only R180 and the best part if that if you don’t play all 3 courses on the day (it’s still a sporting activity so you might not), you can come back and use your pass to complete the courses you hadn’t. Just like the country clubs Adventure Golf provides with food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) so you will be good to chill in-between games and just chat. The outdoor scenery of it all also makes for great time, pictures and memories.
1. ARTS AND CRAFT DATE
I don’t think we value the beauty of arts and craft. The ability to create and express yourself is magical and to be able to share that experience and activity with someone you like or would like to get to know better creates a deeper bond and understanding. Seeing how that person may view the world or themselves gives you a deeper and more meaningful insight into who they are and what they value. There are so many activities you can do outside within the arts and craft space. You can be mini canvases and have a paint date with each other. Buy some white tees, bleach and some dye and make your own tie-dye shirts. You can sit and create vision boards for the year ahead together and see what your goals are and what theirs is and if you both have the same wishes, goals and desire. You can get some DIY henna kits and be each other’s tattoo artist. Spend time doing colouring books together as you destress and get into deep conversations and creating a safe space. Your imagination is your only limit in this scenario. Think outside the box provide a new experience for yourself and your pattern, and you get some mementos to take home or keep with you after the date.
Dating is meant to be fun and an experience. It’s meant to open ourselves up not just to the people we are dating but ourselves and help us discover new parts of ourselves we didn’t know we had in us. I know we feel pressured with the social media standards of these fancy dinner dates with the aesthetics or get aways with the bae but I do feel keeping it simple, keeping it real and making time for activities where you can actually bind and learn about each other whilst having fun is the best kind of dates. You don’t have to open your bank account to experience romance and fun. You just must open your mind and heart to new experiences.
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