Ever stare at your partner and think, We should do something fun… but what? If coming up with date ideas feels like trying to solve a riddle with no answer, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s an easy hack for that.
Enter: National Days.
Every day is a celebration of something—from classic holidays to the wildly obscure (National Pretzel Day, anyone?). With a little creativity (or in this case, borrowing mine), you can turn these into fun, low-effort date nights. Here’s how it works:
- Look up a "National Day" – Check sites like nationaldaycalendar.com or daysoftheyear.com to see what’s coming up.
- Build a date around it – Take inspiration from the theme and turn it into a shared experience.
- Make it your own – Pick what fits your relationship. Fancy? Chill? Ridiculous? You do you.
To get you started, here are five upcoming National Days, along with ready-to-go date ideas:
1. National Pizza Day (February 9)
🍕 Date Idea: Pizza-Making Showdown 🍕
Ok, it's not upcoming but I've heard rumors of frequent pizza nights so here's an idea to level-up your next one. Skip delivery and make your own pizzas from scratch. Go all-in: homemade dough, wild toppings, maybe a blind taste test. Collaborate, surprise each other with what you think they'd enjoy most or up the stakes with a competition—winner gets to pick the next date-night!
2. National Retro Day (February 27)
🕺 Date Idea: Throwback Night 🎶
Pick a decade (80s, 90s, or whatever feels nostalgic) and commit. Dress the part, watch an old-school movie, and play the music from that era. Bonus points if you track down vintage snacks.
3. National Poetry Month (April)
📖 Date Idea: Poetry & Wine Night 🍷
Not a poet? No problem. Grab a book of classic love poems or hilarious limericks and take turns reading them dramatically. Add a bottle of wine, soft lighting, and maybe write your own (bad) poem for each other.
4. National Ice Cream Day (Third Sunday in July)
🍦 Date Idea: Ice Cream Crawl 🚗
Instead of settling for one place, hit up multiple ice cream spots and sample their best flavors. Create your own ranking system (best classic, best weird flavor, best overall). If you’re feeling ambitious, make your own ice cream at home!
5. National Game Night (Third Saturday in November)
🎲 Date Idea: Game Night With a Twist 🃏
Play your favorite board game(s) or try a game you’ve never played before. Keep it just for bragging rights or add a personal bet (winner gets a back-rub or to pick a weekend getaway).
Whether you're playing an old favorite or trying something new - may I suggest a DateBox Club game; specifically designed for fun and connection. Pick one up here.
For You Early-Risers: 3 Great Excuses for a Date-Morning
Not all great dates happen at night—sometimes, the best moments are shared over a hot cup of coffee or a perfectly cooked breakfast. If you and your partner love a slow morning together, here are three fun, low-effort ideas to turn a national day into a date-morning tradition.
🥯 National Bagel Day (Jan 15): Keep it cozy with an at-home bagel bar. Toast up a mix of bagels, set out spreads and toppings (think flavored cream cheeses, smoked salmon, and honey), and make it a DIY breakfast date. Pair with a playlist and a side of good conversation.
☕ National Coffee Day (Sept 29): Turn your usual caffeine run into a coffee crawl. Visit two or three local coffee shops, try something new at each stop, and rank your favorites. Bonus points for a scenic walk while sipping.
🍳 National Omelette Day (July 9): Go full-on brunch mode. Try making dueling omelets for each other, or get adventurous with new mix-ins. If cooking isn’t your thing, find a diner with a legendary breakfast menu and let someone else do the flipping.
Your Turn!
Now that you’ve got the idea, why not check what National Days are coming up and plan your own themed date? The goal isn’t perfection—it’s fun, connection, and maybe a good story to laugh about later.
