I’m a tad ashamed to admit that I don’t recall when we last went out on a “proper” date. See, we have a baby. Sometimes we take him out with us. Sometimes we find ourselves somewhere nice and say to each other “aw, this is sort of a date.” We still have fun together. We play board games and computer games, and I’ve started to learn how to play warhammer. But it’s just not the same as “going on a date”. So when I heard about the concept of “date crates”, I was intrigued. Some clever folks in Melbourne are trying to make it easier for us to go on dates. Once a month, they will send out a box with everything you need to host a date at home, once the baby is in bed! The box contains activities, including some sort of food, and a curated spotify playlist. I started considering whether or not it was worth signing up to try one, interacted with the brand via Instagram (@datecrateaust) and was chosen to receive one to try for free! As if it was meant to be, the July crate we received was themed Parisian Nights – we went to Paris for our honeymoon, so it was the perfect theme for us!
I didn’t tell MrParadocs it was coming, just waited for it to arrive and sprung it on him. We had quite a laugh just unboxing it. The date was to have four activities:
- Cooking crepes using a just-add-water crepe mix. Two jams from “Not Your Ordinary Jam” were included – one strawberry and one blueberry and lavender.
- A jumbo set of playing cards with instructions for learning the card game, Quinze (15).
- A little pamphlet of French love phrases.
- A sketch book, pencils and some props to “draw me like one of your French girls.”
July 14 – Bastille Day – was conveniently a Friday night this year, so we started with a home-cooked beef bourguignon and some French sparkling. The crepes took some practice. First one we tried to flip too early, second one was too thick, but by the third one we were on a roll. The card game was simple but entertaining. Trying out the French phrases was a bit funny too – MrParadocs decided the best phrase was one not listed: Je t’aime, mon petit choufleur. As for the sketching, well let’s just say that neither of us are good at that!
So what did we like? We liked doing something different for a change, without needing to leave home. We loved the theme. The crepes were tasty. We certainly laughed a lot. No, it wasn’t the best date I’ve ever been on, but we enjoyed it enough to decide we’d sign up for next month and see how that one goes.
What didn’t we like? Only one thing really needed improvement in my mind – the Spotify playlist. I had hoped it would be romantic, French language songs. Edith Piaf or Celine perhaps. I wouldn’t have minded the older stuff, or whatever is current. So firstly, I was mildly disappointed it was all in English. Secondly, although most of it was music that I like, a significant number of the songs were about exes or break ups! There were a few times when we looked at each other and said “well that’s not what you want to hear on a date.” If it had just been background music in a restaurant, I don’t think we’d have noticed, but it didn’t fit with what we expected for a curated playlist.
The final thing we need to discuss today – what does this cost? A month to month subscription is $45 plus postage (comes to just under $60), which I baulked at initially, as did MrParadocs when I first suggested we try another month. (You can decrease the price marginally by signing up for 3 or 6 months at a time, but we’re not ready for that level of commitment yet. They also currently have a code – INTROFIVE – for $5 off your first crate.) But when you really think about it, I don’t think this is unreasonable. Firstly, there was plenty in the box, and the items were good quality. Secondly, what does it cost you for dinner and a movie these days? Do you need to pay a babysitter? What about parking or public transport or a cab/uber? My conclusion is that they are asking a reasonable amount for a fun night in, no babysitter needed!
Disclaimer – As mentioned above, I did receive this crate for free with the understanding that I would share pictures on instagram. I’m paying for the next one (although I have taken advantage of that intro code!!)
A Wigwam for a Goose's Bridle 
Leave a comment