SECRETS TO HOSTING AN AMAZING DATE JAR GAME!

Written By: Bec  |  Last Updated: 01.11.2024

The first date: a special and memorable moment for couples. The nerves, the excitement, the unknown - the romance! But what happens when you've been together for a long time? When day-to-day life gets in the way of fun?

That's where this date night jar game comes in. Helping your hen and the love of her life spend quality time together, in their first year of marriage and beyond!

Find out how below.

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Related: Fall in Love with the Jar Game
Related: Hen Party Bucket List​

THE DATE NIGHT GAME (QUICK OVERVIEW)

​A sweet game that results in beautiful memories! To play, participants simply have to write down a date idea for the bride and her partner. This could be anything from 'go for a bike ride together' to 'visit your local bookstore and pick out a book for each other'. These ideas are placed into a jar or stuck into a book, and gifted to the hen at the end of her celebration. The happy couple can then make their way through each suggestion in their 1st year of marriage (and beyond!). Want to mix things up a little? This game can also encourage story telling (ask guests to tell the story behind why they wrote down their particular date idea), involve a little mystery (seal each suggestion in an envelope, and the couple chooses a date at random) or even be themed (with different options for holidays, seasons or moods).

Check out our favourite 'date night idea' game cards on Etsy!
★ Click here to view our hand-picked collection ★

​Playing the Date Night Game

YOU WILL NEED:​
A mason jar (or similar), date night cards, pens/pencils and, if you wish, a date jar sign (a great way to highlight the game and bring guests to the table).


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PREPARATION:
First we need to prepare some game cards. There are three main ways to do this:
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• Ready-made cards: Grab a pre-made digital download that can be printed at your local print shop
• DIY it: create your own design on the computer and print off for the party
• Paper & pens: ​offer small, blank pieces of paper

​See the images below for inspiration:

↑ Click here to view these 'Dates Night Ideas' game cards ↑

↑ Click here to view these 'Dates Ideas' game cards ↑

Now it's time to set the table.

Pick an area of your venue that is easily accessible. Place your table there and display the mason jar, pens/pencils, cards and sign on top of it.

An easy way to draw guests to your date card game?

Frame and hang your sign on the wall right behind your table (as pictured below). This way it can't be missed!

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Handy Hint:
Leave instructions on the table as well. We like to include these on the actual date cards, however an overview of the game could be written out and printed off instead.

This extra bit of preparation will mean party-goers can take part in this activity at any time, without you having to explain what to do. Win/win!

HOW TO PLAY
As mentioned above, you may like to just set up the table and leave it at that. Guests will make their way over in their own time, filling out fun date ideas as they go.

On the flip side, you may like to direct guests to the table as they arrive (or with an announcement to the group).

​When doing so, explain that you're on a mission to give the soon-to-be bride and groom a variety of date ideas for their first year of marriage. Guests can help by:
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• Heading over to the table at some point during the event
• Writing down new date night ideas. These could be their best tips and tricks, or their favourite places to go for a special day or night.
• Placing the ideas into the provided jar, which will be gifted to the hen at the end of her party

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EXAMPLE DATE JAR IDEAS INCLUDE:

• Go for a picnic (where the bride packs surprise food for the groom and vice versa)
• Visit fancy restaurants 
• Have a mini game night (where a card game, board game or trivia are all welcome)
• Do something completely different together - such as magic school!
• Go for a bike ride
• Visit your local bookstore. Pick out a couple of books for each other (no peeking!) and reveal your choices whilst enjoying a coffee or hot chocolate at a nearby café.
• Explore the great outdoors with a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike
• Sample wine and enjoy each other's company with a special winery tour day (or DIY tasting at home)
• Take on a home DIY project together 
• Put your problem-solving skills to the test with an escape room experience for two
• Give back to your beautiful community by volunteering for a local charity together
• Visit a location that has had a positive impact on your relationship (whether it be where you had your first date, or where you sat under the stars last year)
• Tap into your thrill-seeking side with a trip to your local adventure/theme park
• Take a cooking class together and learn to make a new dish
• Hit the beach for sunrise or sunset - there's something about stunning colours reflecting on the open sea that just screams romance
• What was your favourite date idea from this jar? Do it a second time!

​Alternative Ways to Play this Date Night Game

​MYSTERY IDEAS
Add a touch of mystery to the game by sealing each idea in an envelope. On date night, the couple can choose an envelope at random and complete the suggestion inside!



THEMED JARS
Set up a few different jars, each with their own 'theme' (e.g. romantic, adventure, foodie, budget-friendly). After the event, the happy couple can choose ideas from the jar that best suits their mood or interests at that particular time.

This also works for seasons, holidays (Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc.) or even experiences such as cooking (a different recipe is supplied by each guest and the couple can make their way through them all at their leisure).



CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
The game doesn't have to end at the hen party or bridal shower. Oh no. Challenge your beautiful soon-to-be married friends. If they can do every single date idea provided (and give photo evidence!) they will receive a special gift from the bridal party.

Handy Hint:
To win this gift, the couple needs to send you photo proof from each date. Perhaps put these images into a special book - which can be gifted to the Mr & Mrs with a hamper of food and a cheeky bottle of wine. They can then have a night in together eating, drinking and reminiscing on all the fun they've had!

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POPSICLE STICKS
Replace your paper date cards with the humble popsicle stick. A unique twist on this wonderful game that gives the jar a great overall 'look' once filled!



THE STORY JAR
A game within a game. Once everyone has written a date down, ask the bride-to-be to read each of the ideas out loud to the group. She can then guess who wrote what, and find out the story behind it (why was that their best date?!).

Drinks On The Side:
If you want to take this up a notch - for every correct guess, the group take a sip of their drink. For every wrong guess, the bride must take a sip.
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Related to this Dates in a Jar Game
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HOW TO PLAY THE JAR GAME:

After a sweet party game? One that works for a huge range of events (not just hen parties and bridal showers)? Let me introduce you to 'The Jar'. The sweetest game there ever was, this jar will end up holding memories that will last a lifetime! Read on to learn more.

Click here to read the article now.

​HEN PARTY BUCKET LIST:

​A fun twist on the scavenger hunt game, Hen Party Bucket List will give your bride-to-be the chance to complete a range of things she's ALWAYS wanted to do... but never had the time! 

Click here to read the article now.

​Enjoy Spoiling the Mr & Mrs with Amazing Date Ideas!

Simple to set up and easy to play; this game will not only be a great addition to the party, but will also results in the perfect gift. I mean - a helping hand with date ideas AND an excuse to spend more time with the love of your life? What bride wouldn't want that?!

As always, we love hearing about games in the real word. So, if you would like to, please share your experience with 'Date Jar' via the comments section below or social media.

Cheers to an amazing party that leads your favourite couple on a brand new adventure or ten!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
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P.S. The image below is perfect for Pinterest... Go on and share these date jar game ideas - you know you want to! :)