7 Date Ideas for Christian Seniors

Whether we’re planning a first date, 20th date, or 90th date, we could all use some new ideas every now and then. For Christian singles who hold their values and beliefs as priorities in their lives, breaking out of the routine date may be challenging. But it doesn’t always have to be dinner and a movie.

Here are 17 date ideas that will make sure you have fun, save money, and nurture your Christian relationship.

First | Fun | Cheap | Romantic

First dates can be really specia

l. Those nerves you’re both likely feeling can turn into a little zing of excitement. If this is the first time you and your date are meeting in person, I suggest keeping things short (60 to 75 minutes), but you should still choose a venue that’s fun and intriguing.

1. Drinks and Appetizers

When singles meet for a first date, especially if they met online, I always recommend going for drinks and appetizers. Drinks can be anything from a glass of wine or sweet tea, to a cup of coffee or fresh juice.

The idea is to meet for a shared beverage and conversation in a lovely venue. I also recommend having five of your favorite venues in mind so you can mix things up.

In some Christian denominations, Christians drink alcohol, while some do not. Please substitute as needed to fit your needs and beliefs.

2. Church Nights

Some churches have a Tuesday or Wednesday night family-style dinner with a service right after. This is a great date if you two met at church, through friends, or by other means.ns.

There’s usually some nominal charge or donation for the dinner. So, if it feels right, slip in alongside him or her as they’re going for their wallet and say, “This is for two dinners.”

Church is a great place to spend time with other Christian singles.

Often such church dinners are arranged with family-style seating at a long table. It’s fine to have others there with the two of you. Chat comfortably with them while being sure to give your date your attention.

If you had a good time, follow up within 24 hours to ask for another date.

3. Bowling

Some Christian singles over 50 like to participate in an activity on a first date to help get the conversation going. Bowling is an activity that needn’t stretch beyond an hour and keeps you mindful of the wallet.

Retaining a sense of adventure is essential for Christian singles who want to cultivate and nourish a romantic relationship, and going to a fun date location gives you and your date fodder for conversation. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

4. Miniature Golf

Miniature golf is a silly and frugal way to pass the time on a weekend afternoon. It’s a skill that may challenge you, and it’s sure to get you laughing and talking together very comfortably, which is the whole purpose of the date.

5. New Restaurants and Diners

Sharing a meal is always a great way to get to know someone, and I recommend trying some new venues and cuisines to spice your dates up a bit.

For example, in Las Vegas, there’s a cool 1950s diner. If you’re in Southern California, there’s Peggy Sue’s Diner. All of the décor and the jukebox offer you fodder for breaking the ice. Try looking up some themed-style diners in your area.

If you’ve never had Greek food, maybe give your local Greek restaurant a try. Dolmades or spanakopita are flavorful finger foods the two of you can share. If you don’t have a Greek restaurant nearby, look in your local newspaper to find events and street fairs that offer different food options.

Trying new cuisines gets you out of your comfort zone while on your date.

Eating at an Indian restaurant allows you to experience cultural differences and benefit from the number of healthy vegetarian options.

Eating chocolate stimulates feelings of love, so you may want to consider doing dessert instead of dinner. For example, Chicago has the Chocolate Sanctuary, and Orlando has the Chocolate Factory.

Basically, the point is to get out there and try something neither of you has tried before, so you have a shared experience and create a memory together.

Inexpensive date ideas are essential for Christian seniors because most of them are managing their money with an eye toward retirement (if they’re not already retired). Not to mention, if you’re online dating, you may be wrangling three to five dates a week. If you’re spending over $100 on each of those dates, they will eventually put a big dent in your wallet, so maybe try some of the tips below.

6. Go on a Picnic

Whether it’s in a park, by a lake, or at the beach, picnics allow you to save money while enjoying the outdoors. Having a picnic somewhere other than your neighborhood can liven things up in your faith-based relationship.

Picnics are inexpensive dates because you both can bring stuff from home.

For example, if you live in San Francisco, you can rent a bicycle at Fisherman’s Wharf and ride out to the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s a nice lookout point there.

7. Live Theater

Check online or in your newspaper for live theater like Shakespeare in the Park in New York City. Many cities all across the country have followed this style of open-air theater performances.

Check to see if there’s a park or other spot nearby where you two can enjoy a pre-show picnic. You can establish communication and negotiation skills with your date as you decide what you each will bring to the picnic.

8. Concerts

Some cities host a concert series year-round, so be sure to keep an eye out. The Florida Orchestra is a local favorite in the Tampa Bay area, and Lyric Opera has shows for sophisticated folks in Chicago.

Listening and dancing to live music can help your relationship flourish.

Enjoying the music can contribute to a flourishing relationship, and sometimes the venues provide a quick dance class before the full concert starts. What could be more romantic?

9. Tailgates

Fall means football season, which means tailgating, and it can be exciting to cheer on the same (or even opposite) team together. Tailor your drink choices or picnicking ideas to accommodate a tailgate, and aim to keep things varied. If you’re always tailgating with the same crowd, switch it up next time and invite different people so you widen your social circle and have unique experiences.

10. The Public Library

Who doesn’t love to support their local library or Christian bookstore? Think of some of your favorite authors, go to the section in the store where their books are found, and read passages together. While you’re there, maybe look for opportunities to sneak in a quick kiss.

Christian seniors need to work together to cultivate romance in their relationship. That will help sustain the thrill and delight of your first encounter, and help your relationship thrive. We’ve already covered a lot of date ideas, but here are my most romantic suggestions.

11. Historic Castles and Other Sights

Touring centuries-old castles and mansions as a couple can be really romantic.

Take a quick day trip to a historic castle to explore together.

For example, Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, Texas, is a glorious mansion built in 1892 by Colonel Walter Gresham, a railway entrepreneur and member of the Texas Legislature. Simply try Googling “historic castles and mansions in my area.”

12. Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlors

Find an old-fashioned ice cream parlor in your area or when you’re on a trip. It’ll have more ambiance than a national chain. I think that’s such a romantic idea.

The nostalgia can feed your romantic visions and taste buds at the same time. Share a banana split, and go ahead and enjoy a little PDA.

13. Guided Walking Tours of Cities

Identify a few different cities that you want to visit and schedule a walking tour. Or maybe you’ve moved to a new city and haven’t gotten your bearings yet. Sometimes being in a different place can change up the dynamics of your relationship. Another added benefit of going on a walking tour is you’ll get your 10,000 steps in!

There are so many different themed walking tours in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and New York, that you’ll probably never run out of ideas. Meetup.com is great for finding these tours.

14. Exercises Classes

Do some searches online, and you’ll likely find dozens of exercise classes in your area. You might need to drive a bit, but I promise it’ll be worth it. The local gym and senior center also probably have classes to choose from. Online classes are available as well.

I particularly like Tai Chi. It’s a ton of fun and is terrific for the mind, body, and spirit. You both can connect peacefully with God’s creation while improving muscle tone and joint flexibility.

You’ll also likely meet others of all different ages, so make a point of chatting with the other attendees. Weaving new people of different ages into your lives, even just at the acquaintance level, keeps your relationship fresh.

Taking an exercise class improves your health and provides a social setting.

Or maybe you could book a couple’s Pilates session with a professional instructor and have it in a beautiful area of the park. Follow that up with brunch nearby, and you’ve got yourself a full day.

Some churches even host exercise classes with a spiritual focus. If your church doesn’t, call around to other nearby churches or ask your pastor. He or she often knows about goings-on in town.

15. Have Brunch

The mood is everything when you’re on a date, and I recommend going to brunch to mix things up. Find a restaurant in your area with a bit more ambiance than what local chains offer.

Maybe it’s in the city and has an outdoor patio oasis away from the crowds. Perhaps it’s a retro café with leather-upholstered booths, wood-paneled walls, and photos of classic Hollywood stars.

Be sure to go for a post-meal walk so you can have more hand-holding and flirting opportunities.

16. Botanical Gardens

Flowers are a familiar hallmark of romance, and you don’t have to buy a bouquet to show that special person you care. Take your date out to a botanical garden or flower festival. You’ll be surrounded by beauty.

There are few things that are more romantic than flowers.

The color and fragrance of flowers can be so enticing to the senses. If the mood is right, lean in and give him or her a surprise kiss as you stroll through all the glorious blooms.

17. Volunteer

Many churches offer volunteer opportunities that you two could do together. For example, you could work a shift at a soup kitchen or Christian thrift store. Working together can help you see an additional dimension of the person you’re dating.

If you’re just starting to date, I would save this activity for the second month of your courtship after you’ve shown your romantic side.

Whether you two have just met or have been together for 30 years, I’d love for you to consider some of these date ideas. Try one out every week or two, and then let me know how it went!

Dating should be a shared adventure — as long as you’re sharing time together and doing something you enjoy, you can’t go wrong.