Date Night: Find It & Fix It

Find It & Fix It "Each day I spend with you is rewarded by special memories. Things that we do together complete our daily thoughts, for without you there is no bright, sun shining day." --submitted by Paris Mkhabela

Whether you're crafty or not, this date idea is sure to win you points for creativity. The premise is to work together to find a furniture piece you like, then take it home and fix it up. If you live in separate dwellings, make it a date that covers two nights. Use one night to make something for yourself and the next night to make something for your partner.

Finding the Furniture

Depending on the time of day you can find new or used furniture in a variety of places. You'll want to find something that is in fairly good shape. A table or a chair that could use a good coat of paint is a great starter project. When looking for your piece, consider some of the following options:

Thrift store
Yard sales
Estate sales
Swap meet
Unfinished furniture store
Discount store
Thrown away furniture
Furniture a friend might be giving away

Fixing It Up

Once you've found a piece you both like, it's time to get it home and start the fun. Pick out a location where you have enough room to work on it together and that has good ventilation. Protect the floor with a drop cloth and put on some clothes you won't mind getting ruined.

Painting It
Chances are your creation is going to need a little paint, so don't forget to sand the piece first. When selecting the paint, keep the size of your piece in mind. If it's something small you might consider spray paint. There are many different spray textures you can use for cool effects. There are also many styles of faux painting you can try. Be willing to experiment. If you hate it, you can sand it down and repaint it later.

Embellish It
After your furniture piece has been painted and dried, you might consider adding your own personal touches to it. You can decoupage memorabilia from past dates, or glue on jewels or other embellishments that match your décor. Wallpaper cut-outs can also be a great finishing touch.

Romantic Touches

If you plan on taking time to actually find the piece of furniture you're going to fix, you might want to split this date night up. Use one day to find the furniture and another to actually fix it up.

During the fix up process, order take-out and enjoy a nice break with a candle lit meal. When you're searching for the piece, pack a picnic lunch and take a break at nearby park to eat.

Play a movie or some CDs in the background while you're working on the furniture. You can also use this time as a getting to know you better opportunity and share personal stories or memories.

Remember, no matter how your creation turns out, it isn't really about the finished product. It's about your ability to work together as team and the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something together.

Related Web Sites
Better Homes & Gardens - Check out their slideshows!
HGTV.com - The online home of home & garden television!