This is your year. You can feel it.

No more sitting at home on the weekend, no more heading to the grocery store for yet another frozen dinner – no sir. You are going to find that special someone this year.

Sure, it’s going to take effort, sacrifice and hard work, but unlike the weight loss resolution you make every year, these online dating resolutions are easier to stick with.

Ready?

First of all, you need to find an online dating service that makes sense to you. Whether you choose a dating service that’s suited to your religion or your hobbies, pick a site where you feel at home and where you feel like you could date everyone that’s listed.

Next, make sure to interact with other singles on these sites. If you simply sit and wait for people to come to you, that’s no fun. You need to show that you’re just as interested as others are.

Finally, make sure you are going on dates from time to time. Living in virtual reality with online dating is easy – but if you want to find love, you need to take it to the next level. Casual dates can be a fun way to see if you click in real life, while also giving you more practice in dating altogether.

Welcome in 2008! It’s going to be a great year.

Dating Essentials, Tips and Ideas Date Ideas, Hobbies, Religion

Though the pressure to be ‘on’ during a first date is high enough, when you are dating during the holidays, it can be downright terrifying. You don’t want to make the date too special, but you also don’t want to ignore the holidays and come off as a Scrooge.

Relax.

Here are some fun holiday date ideas:

Go to local light shows – Many towns will have tree lighting ceremonies or places where lights will be strung up in large displays. Go to these with a warm mug of hot chocolate for a fun night.

The theater is filled – With many holiday inspired ballets and shows, you might be able to impress an artistic date by taking him or her to the theater. Look at the local high schools and churches too for options.

Find lights on your own – By driving around your local neighborhoods, you can find homes with extensive light displays – for free. This will give you plenty of time to talk while exploring the city.

Go completely opposite the season – Instead of thinking about frosty walks, try going to the beach (if you have one) during the day. The change of scenery can remind you that this is still any other time of year and you’ll certainly get points for originality.

Tips and Ideas Date Ideas, First Dates, First Impressions, Holidays

Once you’re finally ready to take your online relationship to the next level, it’s time to plan that first date. And with the crisp autumn air, this is the perfect time for a little romance – and quite a few romantic settings for you and your special someone. Why not take advantage of these fall date ideas?

Go to the Pumpkin Patch or Cider Farm – Even though Halloween is over, you can still head out to the pumpkin patch for pumpkins to decorate or to throw into pies. You might also find local farms where you can pick out freshly made cheeses and eat a picnic lunch on the grounds. Or you can head into a corn maze for a fun adventure.

Head to a Local Football Game – Even if you don’t know who is playing, if you and your date are sports fans, there’s nothing like heading outside to a live football game. Bundle up with some hot chocolate or head to the snack bar for concession treats and you have the perfect date night.

Look for Local Festivals – Because the fall tends to have seasonable weather without snow or ice, you can often find local festivals for a number of different themes. See what your town has to offer and walk around the grounds for the day.

Go Flea Marketing – You might also want to head to your local flea market to see what’s for sale. Though this isn’t a typical date, it can turn out to be a fun scavenger hunt for you and your special someone.

Dating Essentials, Tips and Ideas Date Ideas, First Dates, Relationships