Romancing the Plague: Creative COVID Dating Ideas

 Now that many venues have re-opened and people are beginning to get vaccinated, more people are looking for fun dating ideas that can get them out of the house, but still maintain a level of social distancing with the general population. A perfect date to celebrate being vaccinated or to get back out into the world in a safe way is taking your date to a wine, beer, or whiskey tasting. Find a venue who provides spacious outdoor seating and will bring the flights to you so that you do not need to stand side-by-side at a bar with other guests. Call ahead to see if you need to make a reservation and to find out if outside food is allowed. If so, bring a picnic or take-out. You might even consider studying the flight menus ahead of time and bring pairing food items to try with the tastings. If you are looking for a winery, look for one close to a scenic hiking area or park where you both can walk around together afterward. If it's in a city, plan a walking tour of the street art or go...

Spring fever during the pandemic drives many people outdoors for hiking and picnicking dates, which are always fun, but not exactly unique. Want to add another element of fun and creativity to your day in the great outdoors? Try foraging! Grab a handy guide to edible plants in your area, or find one online that you can take with you. There are even apps that will help you identify a plant using a photo from your phone. A popular item for foraging during springtime is the morel mushroom. Wild ginger, sassafras, mint, and berries are also fun to gather. Check out what is common in your area and season and plan ahead. But even if you return with empty baskets, it's the thrill of the hunt that will make this date exciting and fun.

Jamie knew there was something special about Jade even before Jamie found out that they shared the same sense of humor and values and were interested in similar shows. Something about Jade’s eyes in their photos made Jamie want to see where this might go. But COVID. While some people they knew had received the vaccine, Jamie and Jade were not eligible yet. But Jamie had read about some fun, creative ideas for “dates” that could be done from a distance, so after getting to know Jade over zoom, text, and phone calls, Jamie took the plunge and decided to send them a little surprise to let them know they were enjoying their time together-apart. Jade was so thrilled that Jamie had been thinking of them and taken the time to do a little something special, that they reciprocated with their own creative surprise. As Jamie and Jade continued their casual surprises to one another, they became aware of their growing mutual fondness. One day Jade suggested that they try meeting in real life...

Cabin fever during the pandemic drives many people outdoors for hiking and picnicking dates, which are always fun, but not exactly unique. Want to add another element of fun and creativity to your day in the great outdoors? Create some nature art with your date! All that you will need is already there: leaves, twigs, stones, wild berries, snow, pinecones, reeds, shells, thorns—the possibilities are endless. And you can do this activity no matter where you are—a city park, a mountain, your college campus, the beach, or your own backyard! As you hike or wander, keep a lookout for the natural materials all around you that you could utilize for your project and collect them as you go. When you find the perfect spot, start making art! This is the sort of activity that can be done in collaboration with your date or each of you can work on your own projects in proximity to each other. The exciting thing about creating nature art is that it reminds the body of what it was like to play as a...