Good Idea For First Date (7 Tips for Planning Perfect First Date)

Heading out for your first date could be nerve-wracking. But no need to panic because today, I’ll be giving you some tips you can do ahead of time so you’ll come prepared and avoid the hassle.

If you want a perfect first date with someone special, you must ensure everything is set up. First, if you’re a man, you must ensure that you have the best time and location after preparing the when and where you’ll need to prepare yourself. 

You can start by picking your most comfortable outfit, preparing conversation starters, and thinking of activities where you can talk and learn more about each other. Increasing your confidence, learning about body language that can either make or break a first date, and doing a follow-up.

While doing all these, just don’t forget to be true to yourself.

This discussion applies to men and women out there. But if you’re a man, you might want to be a gentleman this time and take the lead.

Before we detail every step, let us examine why a first date is such a big deal for everyone!

Why the first date is a big deal?

First dates are a big deal because it’s the first time you’re meeting someone new. This can be a lot of pressure, but it’s also an exciting time. You don’t know what to expect and want to ensure everything goes well.

Many people believe that it’s their first shot at impressing someone. It’s not superficial, though. When we say impress, you want your date to appreciate you for being you. And that first date can either make or break a sprouting relationship.

Since we’ll talk more about planning in the latter part, it’s also a good idea to see the common mistakes people make on their first dates. This will give you some idea about the worst elements and how to avoid them.

• The outfit looks unprepared and awkward. 
• Use of too many phones.
• Rambling about yourself without giving your date a chance to talk.
• Lack of questions in the conversation.
• Poor punctuality or being late.
• Opening about previous relationships.

As you see, some mistakes are obvious, but sometimes due to nervousness, many people get lost in the woods during their first date. So, how can you avoid these mishaps? 

7 Tips for your first date

Get the most out of your first date by ensuring you have the following planning techniques!

Plan the perfect time and location.

The first thing you need to set for an upcoming first date is the time and place. You can choose any time of the day, but what makes the excellent choice? Let’s see!

What time is the most ideal for a first date?

There’s no definite and straight-cut answer to this question, as everyone is different and will have different preferences. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind that may help you choose the ideal time for a first date.

Consider what you want to do on the date. 

Suppose you’re planning something active, like going for a hike or playing tennis. In that case, an early morning or afternoon date might be best to have plenty of energy.

If you’re planning something more low-key, like grabbing coffee or drinks after work, later in the day or evening might be better.

Think about how long you want the date to last.

Obviously, if you want to have a long story time with your date, then set your date early in the night, like 6 PM. If you’re going to do more fun activities and gather memories, then put your date early in the morning while considering the travel time and preparation.

Another thing to consider is how well you know the person you’re going on a date with. 

• If you’re meeting the person for the first time, you might want to keep the date relatively short to get to know each other better. 
• On the other hand, if you’re going on a date with someone you’ve been talking to for a while, you might want to make a date longer so you can have more time to connect.

From there, you can decide what time will work for both of you.

Where is the ideal place to hold the first date?

This question depends on what things both interest you and the type of first impression you plan to create; however, here are some ideas to get you started.

• If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere where you can get to know each other, consider meeting for coffee or lunch. 
• An art gallery or a museum can be a great option if you’re both cultured and enjoy learning new things together. 
• For something more active, try mini golfing or bowling. These activities will help break the ice and provide plenty of opportunities for playful banter.

Regardless of where you end up going, remember that enjoying each other’s company is the most important thing.

Prepare yourself.

When it comes to self-preparation, there are two things to remember. The first is your physical appearance, and the second is your mental preparedness.

Let’s first talk about your physical appearance.

One of the vital things you need to do is find out what date it will be. Is it a casual coffee date or something more formal? Once you know that, you can start putting together your outfit.

Right outfit choice

For girls

• For a casual coffee date, aim for something cute and comfortable. A flowy dress or jeans and a nice top are always good options.
• For an evening out or dinner date, you might want to consider wearing a dress or skirt with heels.

For boys

• If it is more casual, jeans and a nice shirt or polo would be appropriate.
• Slacks and formal long sleeves would be better if it’s for a fancier event.

Prepare conversation starters.

When it comes to first dates, the pressure can be on to ensure everything goes smoothly. One way to help ease any potential awkwardness is by having a few conversation starters up your sleeve. Here are just some dialogues to try.

• How are you doing?
• What are some of your hobbies and interests?
• Do you have any pets?
• What do you think of this restaurant?
• How’s the food?
• What kind of music do you like?
• Do you have any siblings?
• Where did you grow up? 
• Are you an online person?
• Have you been out of town lately?

The role of this preparation is to find balance, skip boredom, and learn more about each other. These questions should help break the ice and get things started between you and your date. Remember, the goal is just to start a conversation, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Think of engaging activities.

When it comes to first dates, the options are endless. Whether you’re looking for something active or something a little more low-key, there’s sure to be an activity that suits your fancy. Here are some activity ideas.

For adrenaline-goers

• Go rock climbing
• Go-karting
• Bungee jumping

For nature lovers

• Take a hike together.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Explore a new park in town.

If you prefer to keep things low-key.

• Catch a movie together.
• Grab coffee or drinks at your favorite spot downtown.
• Cook dinner together at home.

Your first date doesn’t have to be boring. Whatever you choose, just remember that your main goal is to engage with your date, know more about each other, and keep the conversation going!

Boost your confidence.

When it comes to first dates, the biggest obstacle for many people is simply mustering up the courage to go on one in the first place. Whether you’re naturally shy or just tend to get nervous before significant social events, you can do plenty of things to calm yourself and level your confidence. 

Here are a few tips.

Do something that makes you feel good before the date. 

Whether it’s going for a run, taking a yoga class, or just listening to your favorite music, do something that will help you relax and get into a positive mindset.

Make sure you’re well-rested.

If you’re exhausted, you will be more likely to get nervous. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before your date to feel refreshed and alert.

Choose a relaxed setting.

If you’re worried about nervousness, pick a relaxed setting for your date. A quiet coffee shop or a stroll in the park can be an excellent way to get to know each other without feeling too pressured.

Learn about body language.

When you’re getting ready for a first date, it’s important to keep an eye on your body language. You want to ensure you’re sending the right signals so that your date knows you’re interested and attracted to them. 

Here are some things to remember.

• Make eye contact. You can do one of the important things to get a person’s trust and interest. If you avoid eye contact, it sends the message that you’re not interested or confident. Instead, look into your date’s eyes when they’re talking and listen to what they have to say.
• Lean in slightly when you’re talking to your date. This shows that you’re interested in their stories and want to get closer to them.
• Smile at your date. This is a simple way to show that you’re happy to be around them and enjoy their company.
• Stand up straight and keep your head up. This will show that you’re confident and interested in what’s happening around you.

Meanwhile, here are some red flags you must double-check.

• Don’t get too touchy-feely. It’s natural to want to physically connect with someone you’re attracted to but resist the urge to get too hands-on too soon.
• Avoid crossing your arms. This body language gesture is a sign of defensiveness and can make you seem unapproachable. If you’re feeling nervous, try placing your hands on your lap or holding a drink to keep them occupied.
• Don’t keep looking at your phone. It’s rude to be on your phone constantly when you’re out with someone, especially on a first date. Stick with light touches like holding hands or giving a gentle back rub if things seem headed in that direction.
• Don’t play with your hair. This is a familiar nervous gesture that can come across as flirtatious. If you can’t help but fidget with your hair, try to keep it out of your date’s line of sight.

Follow up.

If you had that great first date, then you’ll definitely want to follow up with your new partner! Here are my top three tips on how to do just that.

• First and foremost, don’t be afraid to reach out and text or call your date after the initial meeting. A simple “I had a great time, thank you!” goes a long way.
• Secondly, try and suggest another activity for the two of you to do together. This could be anything from going for coffee to seeing a movie.
• Lastly, make sure you listen to what your date has to say. If they’re not ready for another meet-up just yet, respect their wishes and take things slow.

Must-know: Average time of a first date

Congratulations! You’ve finally mustered up the courage to ask that person out on a first date. Even if it’s just a coffee date, there’s always the potential for things to go well and turn into something more. But how long should a first date last?

On average, most people want the first date to last around two hours. 

This gives you enough time to get to know each other without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. You can also gauge pretty quickly whether or not there’s chemistry between you two.

Of course, there are always exceptions depending on the situation.

The Only Tip You Need: Seize the Moment!

Now that I have laid down some tips for planning your first date, it’s time to apply them in real life. Many people will say to do this and do that when dating, but the right thing is to always depend on you. 

If there are two things I’d like to highlight in all these tips, these are learning to prepare and enjoy the moment. 

Regardless of where you are and what time of day it is, your first date is your first so grab this chance to make the most out of the moment!