Several years ago my husband and I took a quick break for the weekend and went to stay in a hotel about 30 minutes from our small town. It was my birthday week and my husband told me that I could pick what we did! I thought it would be fun to explore a local antique mall. It was a date idea that I had heard about somewhere and thought we should try out!
My husband was less than enthusiastic, but he went along like a good sport! Imagine his surprise when he actually enjoyed it! I had to drag him out of there by the end of the afternoon!
A date to an antique mall may not be high up on your list of date ideas….and it wasn't on ours either until we did it. Couples of all ages can have a really fun time at a big antique mall! It is something different….and different can be good. It can break up the monotony of dating. We love to go to dinner and a movie. We both love seeing movies, but sometimes we need a break from the same old same old!! Coming up with a new date idea can be hard…but think outside the box and get out of your comfort zone once in a while!
Here are a few reasons that an Antique Mall Date can be a lot of fun:
1. You get to spend even more time together! Most antique malls will take at least a couple of hours to look through. You may even have some that you could spend all day exploring. That is more quantity time together!
2. You can reminisce about your childhood. There will be lots of old toys and collectibles; some may remind you of items you had as a kid. We had a great time discussing our favorite toys growing up or what we always wanted but never had.
3. You learn about your spouse's likes and interests that you may have never known. I found out recently on an antique mall date that my husband has an interest in small collectible coin banks. I can honestly say that this topic probably never would have come up if we hadn't been at an antique mall and he saw some of these banks and showed me. This was something that he had never mentioned in 17 years of marriage!
4. There are a lot of things to laugh about at an antique mall. One person's junk is another person's treasure….we have a great time looking at “junk” and being shocked at the high prices! We laugh about items that seem ridiculous to us, but someone else obviously values!
5. Antique malls aren't just for women. There are LOTS of items that men would have an interest in. I have seen booths of baseball cards, comic books, model cars, vintage Hot Wheels, old license plates, old-fashioned tools, and even historical double-edged swords. I think men who have an aversion to antique malls would be pleasantly surprised by how manly they are!
On our most recent antique mall date, we spend almost 3 hours browsing and perusing all the booths. I found a few treasures that I ended up taking home. Hubby didn't see anything he couldn't live without. We both had a great time and look forward to doing it again!
Here is a picture of my treasures. I have a slight addiction to buttons. I don't need the fancy collectible buttons. I like basic buttons of any size and shape! I found this fantastic lamp full of buttons. I also loved this glass jar full of buttons.
Have you ever been on a date at an antique mall? What is your favorite date idea?
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I so love this idea. I think the whole atmosphere in an antique shop is so romantic! My husband and I visited a number of them on our trip to Savannah.
I bet Savannah is a wonderful place to antique!
Cute idea, my husband and I like to antique as well!
I’ve never thought of antiquing as a good date idea! My husband would love it, especially reminiscing about toys that were huge when we were young!
It really is fun!!
It is always so fun to see the treasures at places like this!! Great post!
Thanks so much!
What a great idea, I love it. My daughter always wants to go to the antique stores.
I love antique shopping, more than my husband but he does like going sometimes.
I love this post. I am addicted to Antique shops and flea markets. My husband and I spend many weekend reminiscing at them. Its a great way to spend the day.
I wish there were more antique stores near me. I could spend hours in one!
This sounds like so much fun! I will have to do this!
What a great idea. I never considered going to an antique mall for a date but I really like the idea. We will have to try it out for our next date. Thanks for the suggestion.
Absolutely love this idea! So unique, and could definitely find some great pieces along the way, too!
xo katie
This is such a unique date idea! I find going anywhere different or new always exciting 🙂
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Thanks…I agree!
I remember visiting antique malls as a kid – my mother LOVED them, but then again, I did too. I always spent my allowance whenever we went. I haven’t tracked down an antique mall since I moved to Phoenix, but now you’ve got me thinking of all the different types of items that would probably crop up in one in a different part of the country (I’m originally from VA). And my boyfriend would LOVE the opportunity to tell me about each of the toys he probably once owned – great idea!!
I bet there are some really good ones around a city that big!
What a fun idea for a date!! I love antiquing and I am sure it would bring up a lot of conversation starters with my boyfriend!
So true…it is amazing the things you see!