6 date ideas for your long distance relationship
Photo by Kindel Media
By Talia Bina
Maintaining a relationship in general isn’t easy, but when distance pushes two people apart, it becomes even more difficult. With the advancement of technology, Millennials and GenZ are more likely to be in a long distance relationship than any other previous generation. Since the go-to movie and romantic dinner are no longer in the books, it’s time for some new, creative date ideas to rise.
Here are 6 long distance date ideas to try with your long distance partner.
Movie Time!
Excitingly enough, both Netflix and Hulu now offer Watch Parties, which allows for synchronized viewing of your favorite shows. Whether you opt for a steamy romance or an action-movie marathon, you’re bound to create wonderful memories and exciting conversations over this movie date. When using Watch Party, a chat box appears so you can converse over the movie, rewind together, or pause together for a bathroom break.
Dinner Date
For an extra special night, try choosing a recipe and cooking it over FaceTime together. Not only will you have company while cooking, but you will also have someone to answer your panicked questions (how many sticks of butter is in a cup??) while being able to share a special meal with your loved one. You can even use a delivery service like Hello Fresh to make it easier, and then cook it together according to the directions provided. It will also help you remember that there is chicken in the oven and that it will burn if the oven isn’t turned off ASAP.
Cocktails
Since COVID, many virtual paint and drink experiences have been available. Whether you choose to join a group class or schedule a private event for the two of you, it’s a great way to show off your skills (or lack thereof) and enjoy each other’s company. If you don’t want to have an instructor third-wheeling, try a Zoom video and play an online pre-recorded one, which are also easily accessible. The same concept can be applied to a cocktail making experience.
Listening Party
Spotify has granted the world with a wonderful gift— the opportunity to listen to music with someone else, at the same time. And it can be controlled by both people. On the Spotify app, you can start a listening party and share the link with your partner. Then, you can both play songs and talk about them. My favorite way to use this feature is by choosing a song for every letter of the alphabet. You might discover songs you haven’t listened to in a long time!
Escape Room
Cool enough, Escape Rooms can now be done virtually! These can be done either through Zoom live, or on your own time virtually. Choosing the multiplayer option will allow you to play together. To make it even more fun, you can send each other an at-home snack box to enjoy while putting your mind to work.
Gift Swap
There has been a recent TikTok trend, also known as the “Target Challenge,” where friends or couples spend 10-15 minutes in a store finding gifts for each other. They use different categories as guides: for example, “something in their favorite color” or “their favorite snack” or “something soft.” Then, they spend time swapping gifts. While this can’t be done in the same exact way, you can use the concept to create a box of gifts under similar categories and send them to each other, setting aside time to FaceTime and open them together. It’s a great conversation starter and a nice way to see how well your significant other knows you.
While dating may be different when you’re miles or states away, there are still enjoyable ways to make memories with your loved one. With the virtual advances we’ve been given, it seems like perhaps dating is a perfect thing to embrace— we can feel love without physically touching it.
