CHRISTIAN SINGLES, SAVE MONEY ON DATING AND HAVE FUN!

Hey Christian singles! Are you ready to consider some fun, fabulous and (almost) free

dating experiences? Most online dating services advise you to move into dating only when both of you are ready. Generally, the one who asks for the date, pays for it unless you have agreed beforehand to go Dutch treat, or if the man or woman offers to treat.

Therefore, there is no reason to spend a lot on your first few dates or times you spend together (if you don’t want to call them dates yet.) This is important, because neither of you will know if you want to pursue the relationship further, in the beginning. And if either of you spend a lot of money for a date, the other person will feel obligated and uncomfortable. So that’s why it is best to make your first get-togethers fun and not a financial strain for either of you.

You might not even go to dinner together at first. After all, Christian singles, when you meet someone offline, say at the university, or the laundry- mat or wherever, and you live fairly close to each other, you might just set up study dates or invite each other to church or to join in activities with your family or friends. This is a great way to begin to feel comfortable with each other, and neither one of you has to feel obligated in any way to keep the new relationship going, if he or she does not think it could blossom into love.

Indeed, many romances which seem so enchanting online, may not lead to marriage, but they might lead to a warm friendship which could last for a lifetime. There is a mystique about meeting someone special online. You can fantasize about him or her, and your fantasy will always be more perfect than the person is. This is because you can imagine them any way you desire. But you are forming a relationship with a real person, not a fantasy. He or she will not be perfect in every way. But he or she can be WONDERFUL in many ways!

They may not be as malleable as you would like, always agreeing with you, or ready to go on any adventure you suggest. In fact, Christian singles, he or she may have a strong mind and a strong will of their own, and will want you to consider their plans, ideas and sudden impulses. This may take you out of your comfort zone, if you are not used to doing something spontaneous, new and untried, on a whim. But if it sounds safe, by all means try it, with enthusiasm.

But the rules still apply, Christian gentlemen: Please do not suggest taking your Christian date anywhere where the two of you will be alone! She will appreciate you even more, if she feels safe and comfortable with you at all times. Of course, all of us know that if a man or woman is close to the Lord, and living out His precepts and commands, he or she will never be a danger to anyone, but, indeed, will be harmless as a dove. There will be no guile or secret motives if the person who professes to be a Christian is being transparent and honest with God.

One inexpensive first meeting for Christian singles might be at a park, where there are plenty of people around. There are so many activities that are scheduled at local parks, that if you request a brochure or schedule of events, you will always know what is going on there. Your librarian will be a great resource for you to discover all the interesting events, and special venues in your town that you may never have checked out before. Your Chamber of Commerce will have plenty of brochures of sights to see and your local Parks and Recreation Department will have a booklet with all the great and fun stuff you can do at little cost. If you live near a national park you might find an inexpensive bus tour which will have special prices for a one day tour.

If you have a university in your town, or a junior college, they will have all sorts of activities, plays, dances, concerts, art shows, and other events that may not be expensive. If you have local bands, you might be able to catch them before they’re rich and famous. Local churches usually have something going on, and they advertise in your local paper on the religion page. Check

Each of you could bring friends, or if you have been married before, you could bring the kids, but be sure the children know that you are just friends at this point and they should not get their hearts set on a marriage between you and your new friend. Be prepared for little ones to ask embarrassing questions like “Do you want to marry my Dad?” On second thought, Christian singles, it might be better to get a sitter for the kids and bring your dog or friends instead! I got cold feet on that idea in a hurry, didn’t I? There are too many feelings to consider, involving the children too early in a relationship.

But after you have spent a lot of time going places with each other, you could plan a stress-free day including the kids. Usually they will behave themselves if they know that there will be other fun times with your friend if they show appreciation for the day together by not throwing one of their fits, or fighting with each other, or some other disaster your child is capable of creating just to give you a hard time. Not your child, you say? They never act up or embarrass you in public? Ooooookay! If you say so.

Now most of you Christian singles who are in the mood to fall in love and marry the man or woman of your dreams probably don’t yet have children, so things will be a lot less hectic and complicated for you. If you live in the same city as your new date, there are lots of opportunities to involve either his friends or her friends on your date. You could also arrange a blind date for a male and female, if they enjoy doing some of the same things you do, such as sports, running, tennis, baseball, etc. Take advantage of facilities at the park.

Bring tennis rackets if they have a tennis court, or if you go to a sports complex, a gym, a pool, or other facility, arrange ahead of time to bring the right clothing and equipment along. Your park may have nature trails, or you might like to swing, or ride whatever ride your derriere will fit on. Of course picnic lunches are necessary if you stay very long because you will work up quite an appetite walking and looking around. Bring a camera so you will have something to remember your day together.

Every community has its own flavor, and its own entertainment, Christian singles. Know where people are getting together to dance, play or enjoy some music. Know where games will be played, as watching a baseball game together can be a lot of fun even if it is just a neighborhood game. In fact, they can be more fun, because no one is too concerned who will win, if they’re just playing for the joy of it.. Is there an art exhibit or a drama class performing nearby? If you live near a university there is always something going on. If they have a planetarium, you can get the schedule for viewing far away planets and stars. This could be very interesting, if the professors give classes for the public on some heavenly event.

If either of you, or both, play an instrument, this could provide a lot of entertainment. Or you could bring some Kazoos or make weird music and laugh yourselves silly! You can make a pretend instrument out of anything. If you have a stick and something to use for a drum, you have the percussion section covered. One of you could use your voice to make the sound of an instrument playing, like a horn or a stringed instrument. In other words, do what kids do to entertain themselves, use your imaginations. If you want laughs, and a relaxed atmosphere, silliness is definitely in!

Of course, there are always the old standbys, the movies, bowling, miniature golf, bumper cars to drive, but let’s consider some really offbeat ideas, as well as the “safe” ones, OK, Christian singles?

Have you ever climbed an indoor wall? Is there one to climb nearby? Some recreation centers have them, as well as gyms and sports equipment stores. I know it’s safe fun, and there are ropes to keep you from falling, but I must admit I’ve never literally climbed a wall, but I’ve been up a few, figuratively speaking, if you know what I mean!

If it’s windy, how about a kite flying contest? If you really want a do-it-yourself-project, you could get the materials necessary, and make your own kites. However, for most people, just putting together a kite from a kit is exasperating enough! Be sure to have a picnic lunch with drinks because both of you will work up quite an appetite after you’ve run around for a few hours, keeping your kite in the air and out of trees and power lines. Don’t forget to bring your furry friend along, with a leash, to share in the fun. Bring some bread or safe snacks for the ducks. If you have a plane with a remote control, you could bring that along too. Don’t be surprised if you accumulate a crowd of kids who want to play with it too! (Here’s a hint: when children do enter into a few minutes of your date, try not to seem impatient, even though you want to give your date all of your attention- if you appear to relate to kids well, this can make a big impression with him or her.) After talking or joking with the kids for a few minutes, just say goodbye and move on to another part of the park. Hopefully, their parents will call them back. Interacting with strangers will tell your date more about you. He or she will see how you get along with others, and how friendly you are.

If there is a petting zoo, a carnival, or just some rides in a shopping mall parking lot, take advantage of some good cheap fun! Have a camera along so you can laugh in weeks to come over the spontaneous fun you had that day.

If your city has a great view, you could go to the top floor of a building and look around. You could show your date where you lived when you were young, and where the best places to play ball were, as well as swimming pools and rivers nearby. You could watch trains rumble through the outskirts of your town, or planes arrive and depart from the airport.

Go to a craft store (or even the craft department at a big discount store) and find kits to make friendship bracelets for each other. The directions are easy, because children can make them too, so just follow the directions in braiding the strands of plastic or laces together. You will have a great chance to sit close together as you try the bracelets on each other, to be sure they fit. You could buy some special charms that will remind your date of your time together, and attach them to each friendship bracelet, too. Wow, I can see you two future love birds now, Christian singles! The friendship bracelet’s symbolism obviously says that you want to be close and dear friends, and your date will feel closer to you when he or she wears something that you made especially for them. This friendship bracelet will make you unforgettable, dear hearts! Sometimes I even amaze myself, coming up with such a romantic idea!

And to build on that fantastic idea, you could find a locket necklace or bracelet for your lady, after you have been seeing each other and you’re becoming serious about each other. I’m not sure they make lockets masculine enough for a guy, but if not, one could be made for the lady with tiny pictures of each of you, and then get a small leather folder with a “window” in it and the gentleman could carry a photo of the lady in his breast pocket, close to his heart.

Ahead of time, you could go to thrift shops and buy board games such as monopoly, checkers, or even silly kid’s games, as well as card games, and puzzles. The weather permitting. These could be played on a park bench or table, or you could save them for a time when you were ready to bring your new sweetheart to your home. Some games can be played with a friend or two, as well. Games like Twister can bring a lot of laughs and happy memories. Mainly, any games you play should not involve your egos, or your pride. You will be a gracious loser, and will not lose sight of the fact that being together was what the date was all about, not winning! But I’m sure you sweet Christian Singles do not need that reminder! It would be crazy to get upset over losing a game; in fact, you could try to lose, just to give your Christian Date Mate a thrill.

INEXPENSIVE DATING IDEAS, HAPPY MEMORIES FOR CHRISTIAN SINGLES!

If your date is ready to meet your friends you could share the cost of a BBQ meal with the friends, and cook it in the back yard. Be sure to ask your date if they can eat the foods on your menu, and see if they have any dietary restrictions. As I mentioned before, these are questions that you can ask before you ever go on your first date. Try to gather information about your Christian man or woman ahead of time, and even write their likes and dislikes down, if you have a memory like a sieve.

My job, or part of it at least is to help Christian singles put their best foot forward and make the best possible impression. The aim is to win hearts. Being frugal, but fun will help in many ways.