Best date ideas for when you are short of time

Our crazy modern pace of life often leaves almost no time for the people we like but it doesn't mean that you should give up on dating. Even a 30-minute date can be amazing and create a great impression on your partner, so find out some tips on how to make a short date special.

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Busy world leaves no chance for having long dates. Working long hours, filling the day with productive things like working out and learning new skills only adds to the number of things to fill the schedule with. It is a reason to be proud of yourself, but on the other hand, there is no way you can fit everything in just 24 hours. Lots of people interested in dating over 30 have no free time to start relationships, so quick dates are perfect for them.

More often than not we choose to visit our relatives only when there are holidays like New Year or Easter. Friends get their deal of attention online and real meetings are kind of a treat whenever both of you have a bit of spare time.

What people often sacrifice is spending time with the people they love. Family and friends are now just a background of constant achievements and self-perfecting. More often than not we choose to visit our relatives only when there are holidays like New Year or Easter. Friends get their deal of attention online and real meetings are kind of a treat whenever both of you have a bit of spare time.

Maintaining a healthy relationship seems impossible in such conditions. In later stages, when living together, for example, you can be sure you see your partner regularly enough. But when everything has just started and there is no way you can arrange proper dates more often than once a week, at some point it can become an issue.

Good news is there are things you can do on a regular basis to see the date more often. Somehow people think that it is only appropriate to set a meeting when you can spend at least a couple of hours together. That is totally wrong as there is a chance of having an awesome and pleasant date even if both partners are short of time. So here is what we suggest if you only have half an hour to spare.

a couple drinking wine together on a date

Unite around food

There are multiple ways food can bring together even the busiest workaholics. Here are some ideas:

1. Grab a coffee

With coffee shops gaining popularity, you can find one in any corner of a town. And it doesn’t take much time to sip on some hot drinks together. Choose a coffee shop closest to your or your partner’s work and meet each other there whenever you have some time. Or set a goal of discovering more unique places and wandering around the city in the search of the best cappuccino ever. You might eventually find a cafe that will become one of your favorites. In case you don’t like coffee - tasty tea or hot chocolate will do the job as well.

2. Meet for lunch

You can experiment with places and cuisines and simply diversify your daily menu by trying out new dishes.

If the time of your break is the same and you happen to work not far from each other, why not have lunch together. It is time spent with pleasure and good use. You can experiment with places and cuisines and simply diversify your daily menu by trying out new dishes. Many places now serve the option of business lunch which often includes food different from their regular range. So if you have a favorite restaurant, try visiting it at lunch hours.

3. Have a picnic

How long ago have you actually been to a picnic? If the weather allows, you can meet in nature and have a meal together as well. Prepare some food that is easy to take with you like sandwiches or salads, take some fruit and vegetables too. It can become a fun way of spending your lunch hours but is a great choice for busy weekends as well.

4. Cook a dinner

Use the resources you already have and meet at your own kitchen and prepare a delicious dinner for two. Look for some inspiration online and choose a recipe that is pretty simple but not something you cook on a daily basis - your date is a chance to spice things up in all the meanings of this phrase. You will also learn more about each other and gain new skills.

5. Visit a farmers’ market

We are used to buying food in supermarkets, where everything is standardized. Visiting a farmers’ market can broaden your horizons food-wise and become an interesting experience for sharing with a significant other. Tons of fresh foods, delicious fruit, vegetables and greens - all seasonal and organic - that is what farmers’ markets are about.

a woman kissing her boyfriend for a bouquet

Find common interests

Another easy way to spend more time together is having hobbies to share. Let’s see what you can do:

1. Learn a language

It is pleasant, useful and a chance of having a date - what else do you need? Learning a language is a process that requires a couple of hours a week and gives a possibility to meet your partner more often. Moreover, attending language classes together is a great motivation to study. You can even make it a competition: whoever succeeds faster can think of a wish to fulfil. You can also make an ultimate goal of travelling to a new country to practice the language when you reach a decent level.

2. Do sports

You can discuss training plans and meals to eat (yes, food again!) and finally help each other to go through a session of exercises.

Getting fit alone is boring, but doing it with your partner on the contrary can be great. First up you can both get to your dream shape. You can discuss training plans and meals to eat (yes, food again!) and finally help each other to go through a session of exercises. Again, a motivation to keep going is right near you.

You can also pick up an activity that is pleasant for both of you. If you enjoy being active, try jogging or dancing classes. On the other hand, for those who are not so fascinated by fast movements yoga and stretching will be a perfect choice.

3. Share the skills you have

You might have a desire to do something your significant other likes, but find out you have never actually tried it. Learning from your partner will be a chance to start.

For example, your date can be good at photography. You can use half an hour to discuss finding the perfect lighting, arranging the composition in the photo or learning to edit the image. Or your hobby is playing the guitar and your date has never taken a musical instrument in their hands. Show them some easy melody to play and maybe you grow out to be an actual band.

4. Go to a quest room

That is an activity for quick date ideas that will suit the tastes of almost anybody. It also requires teamwork and some astuteness to solve the problem set in a quest. In a way, it is a chance to escape reality, but that is exactly what a busy person needs when it comes to dating - a short-time run-away from the daily routine.

Random ideas

a romantic couple is having a walk under an umbrella

1. Go for a walk

And to make the things more fascinating choose a place you rarely visit. Going for a walk is a healthy habit, a chance to be together and a way to discover the spots you haven’t seen before. Breath the fresh air, discuss some interesting topics and just enjoy the time you manage to spend outside.

2. Walk your pets

Nothing can bring you out of the house better than a need to walk a dog. What if your partner has a pet who also needs to go out regularly? Do it together! You will have a reason to meet every day without any apologies and it doesn’t require much time either.

3. Play video games

It doesn’t even need you two being at the same place. Just choose an online game that is fun to play and asks for multiple users to participate. You can find games of various genres and types, somewhere you need to work as a team and the others where you will be opponents. It all stands to the desires and interests.

4. Start a club

You don’t have to do it together all the time.

Your own exclusive club that no one else will be accepted to. Make it a club over a certain topic, for example, reading, cinema, or even something like birdwatching. You don’t have to do it together all the time. Start with choosing a book of the week and read it. Then when there is some spare time, meet up and voila - there is a topic to discuss.

5. Use long distance as an example

One of the things people in long distance relationship practice is organizing an online date. Use Skype or any other video chat, make a call and just continue doing your daily business like cooking or cleaning but talking to your partner at the same time. You can even watch a movie together with the help of a video call.

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