If you like to craft and create, I've got a great date night recommendation for you!
Board & Brush Highlands Ranch is a combination workshop and art studio where you can make something unique without having to buy your own supplies and make a mess at your house. Simply choose a date from the Workshop Calendar, select a project, and show up.
Board & Brush in Highlands Ranch won last year's Family Spotlight Award for Best Moms' Night Out Activity. My husband and I are always looking for something beyond the standard dinner-and-a-movie date night, so when the owner, Jenny Parks, invited us to a "Pick Your Project" Workshop, we jumped at the chance!
According to a report by the National Marriage Project, couples "who have frequent date nights were significantly more likely to report being 'very happy' in their marriages, compared to those who did not."
SHE SAID: Why I Loved Date Night at Board & Brush
I always admire the personalized projects I see in my friends' homes and on Pinterest, but I've never considered myself a crafty person. Board & Brush makes it easy to create something amazing by providing design templates, instructions, individualized help throughout the class as needed, and all the supplies!
The hardest part was choosing a project. There are dozens and dozens to choose from, and they all look fabulous! My personal recommendation for first-timers is to choose a project with less text and more pictures. If you are the indecisive type, choose a room in your house or a holiday to narrow your options.
It's important to realize in advance that this is not a passive date night, and I occasionally had to focus more on my project than on my husband. But there was plenty of time between the steps to check out everyone else's projects, look at the finished projects on the wall to find ones we might want to try on a future visit, and connect with each other over wine, crafting, and laughter!
A few tips... have dinner first if you are doing an evening workshop since it will start at 6:30 PM and last until 9:30 or 10:00 PM. Little Holly's Asian Cafe is located in the same shopping center and is a great option. Eileen's Colossal Cookies is right next door, but it closes at 6:00 PM on Fridays and 5:00 PM on Saturdays, so you'll need to stop there before dinner if you want a cookie for dessert. Wear comfortable shoes since you'll be standing most of the time. Don't stress about making mistakes, even if you're a Type A person like me. This evening is supposed to be fun, and imperfections make your project unique!
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HE SAID: Why My Husband Loved Date Night at Board & Brush
First disclosure out of the gate: I'm no artist. Even my stick people are lousy. That said, I'm very happy with the product I brought home from Board & Brush. It looks like I actually know what I'm doing!
Upon our arrival, we ordered some wine (they also have other beverages, both with and without alcohol), put on our smocks, and were escorted to our workstation. The evening was blocked out for a three-hour class, and I thought, "No way this takes three hours." I was wrong. There are way more steps to the process than I anticipated, and we wound up needing nearly the entire time.
From giving the wood a little character with hammers and meat tenderizers (you read that right) to staining, sanding, and applying the stencil, we stayed busy. Then comes the actual painting, which is not a fast process. I also tried to add a little extra to my sign, so I felt like I contributed more than just following the template. After the painting, we did some touch-up work, posed for photographs, and loaded them in the car to take home.
The class was well taught with plentiful options and supplies, and overall an enjoyable evening out! I had fun cracking jokes, staining, cracking more jokes, drinking some wine, painting, and — BAM! — a fun and homemade decoration for Halloween, compliments of yours truly (with a bit of help from Board & Brush).
About the Owners of Board & Brush Highlands Ranch
John and Jenny Parks met in 1997, finished college together, and married in 2004. Jenny spent 21 years as a Manager for Babies R Us, but once it closed, she took a year off to enjoy the beauty of Colorado with her family. She found Board & Brush and instantly fell in love with the social and creative aspects of the workshops.
These Colorado natives have three amazing and creative kids and two dogs! As a family, they love walking, visiting Estes Park, and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. They also enjoy going to the Denver Broncos games and watching the Denver Nuggets.
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Want to plan a date night, girls' night out, or office party at Board & Brush Highlands Ranch? They have kids' projects and family sessions too! View the class schedule and gallery at boardandbrush.com/highlandsranch.
Special Offer for Macaroni KID Readers: Receive 15% off any project with Promo Code MAC2023. Not valid on prior registrations or private events; cannot be combined with any other offer or gift certificate. One code per transaction.
Board & Brush
2201 Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Suite C3
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
(720) 665-4320
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