Heart Date Jar

So you finally get a day off to spend with your significant other. I don't know about other couples out there, but 'round these parts it usually it goes something like this:

"What do you want to do?"
"I dunno, whatever you want to do."

...Repeat ad nauseam. And at that point, it's about to become an argument and not a fun time. I have this feeling we're not alone. This month, the hubs and I celebrated ten years of being together, and I decided I wanted to do something special, yet also economical, to celebrate. Something that we can enjoy in the future. This is definitely not a unique idea; I totally yoinked it from Pinterest then added my own spin, but it is an easy, cute, and cheap way to say "I love you" all year round. 

You'll need: 

• Colorful construction paper. I used three different colors so I could separate them into different categories: orange for outdoor activities (so you don't pick something like "Go hiking" on a poopy day), pink for dates that are free for those in-between-rent-and-paycheck days, and red for dates that mean going out and spending money like the cliche dinner-and-a-movie date. You can make as many or as few categories as you want, depending on the kinds of things you and your partner like to do. 

•  Ruler, pen, scissors. 

• Mason jar. I got a pretty orange one at JoAnn's on sale, but you could get a clear one and decorate it or just leave it nekkid and let the paper hearts peek through. I would recommend one with a large mouth that you can stick your hand in and not get it stuck. Please tell me you've seen Clerks and don't be this guy:

 

Here's my jar:

First, you're going to need to measure out nine equal rectangles on your 9" x 12" paper that are each 3" x 4". 

Cut those bad boys out. I got over-ambitious, so I'm pretty sure I'm set on date cards for life. 

Write out your dates! Get creative. Include some things for you, some things your partner would like, and some things you'd both be down for. Some examples:

• Go bowling
• Go out for ice cream/frozen yogurt
• Watch the sunset
• Write a bucket list of things you and your SO would like to do in the future
• Coffee shop date
• Go thrifting
• Read to each other 
• Library date 
• Make a fancy dinner at home together and dress up like you're going out someplace swanky
• 5-year-old date: blanket fort, kid's movie, and coloring
• Play mini golf
• Go stargazing
• Go to a museum

Besides those generic ideas, I'd also highly advise you look for things to do around you as well. Be a tourist in your own town! Write out cards to check out that cool museum/garden/zoo/diner/whatever near you. Ask the Google Wizard. A good friend of mine also suggested I check out this website for awesome, off-the-beaten-path ideas, and I would encourage you to do the same.

Next, fold up your hearts. These are just the same hearts that you may have made in grade school to send to your little friends, if you were into passing notes. I needed a refresher, so I made a little picture tutorial in case you do too. Since these are made on smaller, thicker pieces of paper than the loose leaf I was accustomed to in the days of my youth, I recommend folding them on a flat surface to get nice creases and use less swears. 

First, fold the top right corner down like so: 

Next, unfold that and fold the other top left corner down.

Now, I'm sure there's a technical, oragami name for what I'm about to do next, but I don't know it. You unfold that corner you just folded and pinch the spaces between the folds in and smoonch 'em down. 

Next fold up the bottom of the left part of the triangle up toward the top of said triangle. Do the same for the other side. 

Fold up the left side of what you get in the above picture toward the bottom of that little diamond you just made. Repeat for the other side.

Fold the bottom of whatever you want to call that shape up to between the diamond and the widest point of the diamond. This is where the folding is different than your standard letter-sized folded heart: since the dimensions are different, you fold it up past the bottom of the diamond because otherwise a few steps down the line it doesn't work out so hot. Trial and error. 

Flip it! Flip it good.

Fold down the top layer of the triangle at the top--it's the roof to your house shape. 

Fold the bottom corners of the envelope-with-ears shape up to the center and tuck them into the "pocket" that exists between the two layers of the triangle flap that you folded down in the previous step.

Next, fold down the two little horns at a bit of an angle to make the top of the heart and stick 'em in the same pocket as your two bottom corners. 

Here are a couple of better pictures of the "pocket" and how the corners should tuck in:

Do the same with the other side, and voila! A cute, albeit not perfect, little heart. 

Depending on the size of your jar, you may want to invest in some candy to stick in there too, as my hearts aren't taking up as much space as I'd like. 

And therein lies a beautiful part of this project: you can add to it as ideas come to you (especially if you make ALL THE PAPER RECTANGLES like me, you'll have extras for a while). You can also make multiples of certain things, like going on a picnic, which is always a good option on a nice day.

Now next time you need a thoughtful gift idea that will keep on giving without breaking the bank, you'll be set! Then the next time you need something to do with your honey honey, you can draw a date surprise raffle-style and enjoy spending time together, not playing verbal ping pong about what you want to do. Enjoy! Do you have any favorite dates that would go great in this jar? Leave me some love in the comments. :) 

Rarrr, 

Jax