Halloween is one of the few opportunities of the year where you can show a woman that you have a fun, playful side and are not afraid to get in touch with your inner child. You can be serious the rest of the year, but this is the perfect opportunity to let lose a little and show another side of you to the woman you are dating. There are so many terrific date ideas this time of year, but I have listed a few of my personal favorites.

1. Take a little drive to the Pumpkin Patch. Bundle up in your scarves and mittens if needs be and pack a thermos of hot apple cider and take your girl to the pumpkin patch. There is something so romantic about being outside in the beautiful fall air and sharing a tradition that you had as a child. It also shows a childish, endearing side of both of you. Then, take her home and have fun carving Jack O Lanterns and roasting pumpkin seeds to eat with your hot toddy or glasses of red wine later.

2. Apple picking. A little like the Pumpkin Patch idea, but more activity involved. You are going to want to wear jeans and be prepared to work a little. It has all the appeal of being outdoors on a beautiful fall day and can end up involving lots of silliness and laughter. Take those apples home and impress your girl by baking up some apple crisp for dessert.

3. A costume party. You can find these at amusement parks, at malls, anywhere. There is always a fun costume part around Halloween. Some big cities have extravagant ones, including a racy one that San Francisco residents attend, but you could do something as simple as attend the one at your local community center. It is fun and a way to impress her with your cool costume.

4. Taking neighbors or nieces and nephews trick or treating. This is a great idea that shows your nurturing side and that you aren’t afraid to have fun and be childish in the right environment. Borrow a friend or neighbor’s kid or tag along with family members who have small kids. It is a fun way to get out of the normal, boring date night.

5. Passing out candy. Stay home, but dress up in a scary costume and go all out to decorate your house and yard so you can pass out candy. After the kids are gone, turn off the lights and listen to romantic music by the light of the jack-o-lanterns you have brought in from outside.

6. Go to a scary movie where she has to grab you and snuggle with you because she is afraid. Don’t go to a slasher, gory, scary movie, unless she has expressed an extreme interest in these, but do find something that is a little bit eerie, a little creepy. A good idea is to also rent something like an Alfred Hitchcock movie and cuddle up on the couch with a snuggly blanket and popcorn.