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For most of the country... Fall is here! Football has started, kids are back and school and pumpkin spice lattes are back! Here in Iowa, Sweater Weather is still weeks away. I start out wearing a sweater in the cool, crisp morning, but the day ends with a muggy 85-90 degrees. By the end of October, I will most likely break out the heavy winter coat!
Research shows, married couples who regularly date, are less likely to consider divorce, more likely to have more romance and report better sex lives, communicate better, and enjoy marriage more! So we have decided to challenge you to AT LEAST one date a month!
Do you have regular date nights? They are so vital to a healthy and happy marriage! We suggest AT LEAST a monthly date night, weekly preferred.
Here are some Catholic Date Night Ideas for Fall:
For the month of October, I wanted to give you several catholic date night ideas for fall. Choose one and we will make it Catholic with some questions to ask during.
1. Pumpkin Carving & Movie Night
Go to your local pumpkin patch or grocery store and pick out pumpkins together and have a fun carving contest. Bonus points if you make it Catholic art! Use these free Catholic Stencil Printables! Afterward, cozy up with some hot cider or cocoa and watch a spooky or Fall-themed movie. Check out this list of Scary Movies with Catholic Themes.
2. Fall Picnic
Pack a warm blanket, some comfort food (like a thermos of soup, apple cider donuts, and mulled wine), and head to a park to enjoy the fall foliage.
3. Candlelit Dinner at Home
Cook a seasonal meal together (think roasted veggies, pumpkin pasta, or try my favorite butternut squash soup) and set the table with fall decor and candles for a warm, intimate atmosphere.
4. Stargazing
Find a quiet spot away from city lights and bring blankets, snacks, and warm drinks. Enjoy the crisp, clear autumn air while looking at the stars.
5. Visit a Haunted House or Corn Maze
For a bit of adventure, visit a local haunted house or tackle a corn maze. It’s a fun way to get close while enjoying the seasonal thrills.
6. Attend a Fall Festival
Many towns have Fall festivals with live music, seasonal food, hayrides, and other activities. Spend an evening exploring a festival together.
7. Wine Tasting or Brewery Tour
Head to a local vineyard or brewery for a Fall-themed tasting. Many places offer seasonal flavors like pumpkin beer or spiced wine.
8. Bonfire Night
Light a backyard bonfire and snuggle up with blankets, roast marshmallows, and make s'mores while enjoying the cool, crisp night air.
9. Scenic Drive & Leaf Peeping
Take a drive through scenic country roads to admire the changing leaves. Stop along the way to take photos or enjoy a cozy café.
10. Bake Seasonal Treats Together
Spend an evening in the kitchen baking seasonal favorites like apple pie, pumpkin bread, or spiced cookies, then enjoy your homemade treats together and share with the family!
Here are some tips:
Be sure to dress up for one another and look our best! It's worth the extra effort!
Be sure to pour out love to your spouse in their preferred love language. If you do not know their love language, that can be the first thing you do on your date: Take the free Love Language Quiz!
I'd love to see pictures of your date night! Use the hashtag #catholicdatenightchallenge if you post on social media!
Use the discussion prompts below during your date night!
Catholic Date Night Discussion Prompts:
During each date night, consider adding these discussion questions to kick off conversation:
Give Thanks:
Tell one another what you are most thankful for about one another.
If you have kids, go through each of your kids and discuss your favorite thing about them. Consider telling your kids your favorite thing about them.
How is life going for you this fall so far?
Have you felt loved by me over this last month? Why or why not?
What can I do to love you better?
Do you have any prayer intentions I could pray for over the next month?
What has been your favorite memory or thing that happened over the last month?
What was the worst thing?
What is one thing you are looking forward to in the coming month?
Before the date ends, be sure to schedule your next date night together!
Going Deeper Ideas:
If you are looking to grow deeper in your faith with your spouse,
Consider reading the same spiritual book and talking about it in the evenings or every Saturday morning. Here are some suggestions (these are affiliate links with no extra charge to you-thanks for supporting our ministry!):
Another area for study together could be the Holiness of Sex within Marriage. Read through and discuss the blog post I wrote on the subject based on a talk Matt and I gave at a marriage retreat.
Free Resources for Catholic Married Life
One of the best things you can do for your marriage is to schedule regular date nights. We suggest AT LEAST monthly date nights, preferably weekly. To foster this habit, we will write a monthly challenge with a Catholic Date Night Challenge! This challenge involves Catholic Date Night ideas for each month as well as some questions to ask one another.
Mary wants your marriage to be good, holy and healthy! Bring your marriage to her and for her prayers! I wrote this workbook to help you pray for your marriage!
How to Create a Prayer Routine as Husband and Wife: Praying together is one of the best things you can do for the health of your marriage and for the spiritual growth of your children! No matter if you have never prayed with your spouse or if you want to shake up your current routine, we wrote this $5 download to help married couples find a prayer routine they love!
We want to support your Catholic Marriage and Family Life however we can! So check out www.jumpincatholic.com and subscribe to receive a free resource called 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage and Family Life!
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