• A walk can be a good first date.young couple holding hands image by rgbspace from Fotolia.com
  
  No matter what ages they are, Christian couples look for creative, and often inexpensive, first date ideas. They want to spend time talking but not feel the pressure to constantly need to say something, either. While the traditional "dinner and a movie" provides a predictable choice for many couples, other first date ideas offer a unique way to spend time together.
  
  

Picnics

• A picnic in the park offers a relaxing time for the couple, provided the weather is nice. Even if it rains, be creative! Take your picnic indoors to the mall, someone's home or even church. Don't worry about coming up with a fancy meal for the picnic. While creativity can be part of the fun, something as simple as take-out food eaten outdoors provides a change of pace. If you don't have a picnic basket, use a cooler, a plastic tub or cardboard box. Bring candles if it's not too windy.
  
  

Afternoon Coffee

• Afternoon coffee allows a couple to enjoy time with one another without the pressure of a whole evening looming ahead on the first date. Two hours should be more than enough time to spend at your local coffee shop with a latte or espresso and a pastry. You can visit with each other in a comfortable setting.
  
  

Group Dates

• Spending time in a group setting helps you see how your date interacts with others. Playing board games or card games together makes for a healthy atmosphere full of laughter! If your friends are in the group, they can offer feedback to you and give their opinion of the date. While some people may not want their friends so involved, those who know us best can often give us insight into our blind spots.
  
  

Church

• Attending church together is a low cost option for a Christian first date. If you are both Christians, you will enjoy focusing on spiritual values together. If you attend the same church already, this is convenient. You can discuss the sermon or class teaching later over lunch or coffee. If you don't fellowship at the same church, you can take turns seeing what your date's church is like.
  
  

Volunteer

• Serving others through volunteering will help both of you feel good! While typical volunteer opportunities include a homeless shelter, food bank or clean-up day, short-term mission projects can bring out many qualities -- both good and bad -- that may have been hidden previously. You will always share the connection of your Christian service.
  
  

Museums

• Visiting a museum gives you a common theme to talk about on the date. Science museums, art museums, medical museums, history museums and even children's museums can spark conversation topics that you may not have otherwise explored. Some museums may even offer free or reduced admission prices.