Your bestie is one of the most important people in your life so you want to make sure that you treat them right. When you hang out, it doesn’t have to be the same old thing that you two always do. Instead, you can get fancy and plan an amazing friend date that will rival any of the romantic ones you’ve been on. Here’s what you can do:
- Bake together. Baking sweets is always an awesome bet and it’s cheaper and more convenient to do at home than most of the out-of-the-house activities you could do. You just need some comfy pajamas and the ingredients for whatever it is you’re going to make. Then you can gorge yourself and have a serious catch-up on what’s been going on in your lives. There’ll even be pastries left over to eat or to take home.
- Have a picnic. Who doesn’t love the idea of a picnic? It sounds like a scene straight out of a movie. Meet at their place or yours first, then you can pack up your meal together. Bring all the fixings and silverware and you’ll be good to go. You can pack a nice big blanket that you don’t mind getting a little dirty and have a lovely meal together outside. Bonus points if something awesome is going on at a local part like a concert or play.
- Go to a kids movie. There’s something really cool about going to a kids movie as an adult. It doesn’t feel silly at all. Rather, you feel transported to childhood and you also realize that Disney has some damn good movies for all ages. You and your bestie can be each other’s dates at the movie and it’ll be less weird than going alone surrounded by children.
- Volunteer together. It’s always a good idea to give back. When’s the last time that you volunteered? If the answer is that you have no clue, maybe it’s time. Volunteering can actually be a real team-building activity that can bring you closer to each other. You can pick an area you’re both passionate about—maybe education or the environment. Making a difference and spending quality time? Best plan ever.
- Watch a TV show you both love. Game Of Thrones, Broad City—whatever your choice of entertainment, it’s all better with a bestie. You can make it a regular thing to watch one episode as it airs or you can choose to have a marathon complete with snacks and whatever else you want. Either way, choose a show that you know you both are going to be pumped to be watching and eat the snacks from #1.
- Go to a thrift store. Maybe there’s something that your bestie’s dying to get, like a pair of pink pants or some new boots. You can help her search through the racks for anything close to what she’s looking for. You can also dress up in preposterous things that you’d never wear just to get a laugh. You never know what you’ll find and what kind of bargains you can get on cute clothes and accessories until you look.
- Have a craft night. You can totally get together and make friendship bracelets (or, you know, something else). Use a familiar medium or try something totally new. You can take a trip to the craft store together and then stay in to do this or you could go out. You could even hit up those paint your own pottery stores or you could go to a fancy paint night equipped with booze. Whatever floats your boat.
- Go get your face dolled up. Head out to a store in the mall or elsewhere that’ll lather a bunch of makeup on your face. Pick a place where you know they’ll do a good job. Get that shocking new look. Do or don’t pay for some of the products. After all, the makeover was free. This may give you both some new ideas for how to apply your makeup or you can just laugh at how you both look like clowns.
- Go for a walk in nature. You’re lucky if you live in a place where there’s tons of nature. If you live in a city where there are fewer options, there are still green patches all over. You can find one. This sort of date idea is also usually free. It’d be cool to agree with your friend that you unplug, maybe leave your phones in the car so that you can enjoy nature and each other’s company.
- Play truth or dare. This is one that could happen at someone’s house or it could happen in a public place like in a park. I bet it’s been forever since you’ve played this age-old game! Give it a shot. Dare your bestie to do something totally ridiculous or share secrets with each other that the other has never heard before. One game of this is sure to bring you closer, even if you only last a few rounds.
