One of the more complicated issues with dating someone new is the idea of birthdays and other special occasions – what do you do?

Some dating advice will tell you to pick up a gift for them, while other experts say that you should ignore the occasion altogether to prevent coming on too strongly. It’s confusing advice at best, so what can you do?

There is a middle ground to this hot debate. People like being celebrated. They like being acknowledged. When you take the time to show that you know about a special day for them, they will appreciate it – even if they don’t show it.

You don’t have to go all out to do this either. A nice card or a small gift is plenty. You may want to choose to take them out to eat (minus the embarrassing singing, of course) at a place of their choosing, or ask them to make the plans for the night so that they are getting a celebration of their own design.

Now, if you don’t realize that it’s their birthday until the day of your already scheduled date, you can also cover for that too. Just pick out a dessert at dinner without their knowledge or take them somewhere special after dinner to celebrate. Be creative.

As for the people who say that celebrating is too much and will ‘scare’ a person away on a first date – the key is not to go out and buy them something expensive or something that’s too personal, especially if you’re just getting to know them. You don’t want to make them feel pressured into staying in the relationship because they received something so expensive. Something small is fine and you’ll certainly be thanked for it.

Dating Essentials Advice, Birthdays, Gifts, Money, Relationships

Does this sound familiar?

What do you want to do? I don’t care, what do you want to do?

Too often we’re so afraid of making the ‘wrong’ decision about our dating plans that we’re settling for something that is either boring or no fun at all.

Or you’ve read the latest dating tips and wonder who is actually doing these activities.

Here are some realistic and inexpensive ways to really get a date off on the right foot – and have some fun in the process.

Head to the local park – Walking around is not only fun, but free. You could even pack a picnic for an afternoon date without being too fancy.

Think about your city like a tourist would – Scout out some of the local historical sites or museums. Everyone likes to learn about where they live, why not make a date out of it?

Head to your local bookstore – Everyone has something that they like to read whether it’s magazines or thick novels. Why not head to the look book ship, pick up a few cups of coffee and enjoy reading together? It’s cheap and it allows you both to get to know each other without feeling the pressure to talk nonstop.

In short, you can make a date out of anything that you do to have fun. Instead of limiting yourself with movies and dinner, why not get away from the other couples and try something different?

Tips and Ideas Couples, Date Ideas, Fun, Relationships, Romance

Big age gaps needn’t stop love!

Michael Douglas (61), Catherine Zeta-Jones (36)

Harrison Ford (64), Calista Flockhart (41)

Brad Pitt (42), Angelina Jolie (31)

Cameron Diaz (34), Justin Timberlake (25)

These super-celebs have something more in common than just blockbuster fame.

With a 25, 23, 11, and 9 year respective age differential, these star couples have an added dimension heaped on the usual relationship difficulties. Each is trying to make love work despite the host of problems that come specifically with a rather large age gap.

Sure, there’s plenty to gain by getting together with someone from a different generation.

Think about it. Everyday you get the chance to be with someone who really has an entirely different perspective than you do. They’re from a different time and era. So naturally they see things differently than you. And adding some of this ‘new other perspective’ to your own way of viewing the world is a definite bonus.

But, yep…there’s a bunch of difficult stuff to deal with too.

Different ages mean the two of you’ll be living through completely different life cycles. This can translate into totally different interests and friends. Maybe you’ll even have to seriously start thinking about health issues (if your partner is older than you) much sooner than you otherwise would have. And if there are children involved from previous marriages – whoa! – you might have your hands full. (Kids often like to wreak havoc on a new wife that’s hardly older than they are).

What’s more? Other people will do their best to make things worse. They’ll stare, gossip…and generally try to make you feel as if you’re some kind of freak.

Forget them. Who cares what other people think anyway!
Focus instead on those who believe in you. True friends will understand the real nature of your love and encourage you.

To get over some of those other difficulties…try taking up a common hobby.

Michael and Catherine golf. Cameron and Justin surf. And Brad and Angelina seem to share a passion for just about any daredevil activity, from motorcycling to flying.

Granted – A common lifestyle (i.e. show biz) probably also helps.

When it’s true love, age really is trivial. Some days might be tough. But don’t be afraid.
Just go for it.

Veronika Cardes

Diary Age, Celebrities, Generation, Kids, Love, Old, Relationships, Seniors, Young