The version below has been tweaked slightly to suit my readership on "Twenty-one and Invincible", and will be edited differently for the pitched version.
However long or short a couple has been together, there is nothing worse than finding yourselves stuck in a rut; going over and over the same old routine, week after week, month after month. Dinner for two at the same restaurant every month, drinks at the same old bar once a fortnight or a cinema trip without the back row action once in a blue moon – where is the fun in that? It’s time to try something new, fun and different in 2011.
If the romance is dying and you want to kickstart the new year by putting a bit of spice back into your lives, then look no further because I have got the ultimate year planner of great couples activities for you and your special man.
January
When the Christmas tree is back in the loft and the New Year celebrations are well and truly over, keep the festive feelings glowing for you and your man with a romantic night in building your very own gingerbread house.
This will be a tasty treat for the both of you. Get crafty together in front of the fire with a DIY Gingerbread House Kit and let your creative side loose. Your house may not be as fabulous as the one on the box, but it’s an easy to do, inexpensive and interesting activity to while away any cold January night.
I actually tried this with my other half the other day (as he has bought it me as a Christmas gift) and the finished result was pretty good, if I do say so myself. Considering the roof was in pieces when it came out of the box, and had to be reconstructed before we come even start building, I was pretty chuffed with it. We had great fun building and decorating and I hope you will too.
Gingerbread House kits come in all different sizes and style, and can be found from as little as £8 on Amazon.com
February
The most romantic month of the year. Sure, he could get you a table at your favourite restaurant, or go for drinks at that new bar in town, but why not make this a Valentine’s night to remember by dancing the night away Salsa style.
Salsa is an extremely erotic form of dance, which involves you and your partner holding each other closely as you swing and sway your way around the dance floor. It’s a sexy, sensuous and stimulating night out for two, and will leave you feeling perfectly in-step with each other for the rest of the year.
“Latin Motion” are running classes throughout the year at different venues along Broad Street, Birmingham. Special nights are held at Sports Cafe on Mondays, Bar Risa on Tuesdays and Highlight (in Bar Risa) on Thursdays. Classes start from 8pm and involve an hour long workshop, followed by an hour long freestyle session for you to show of your new sizzling moves. At only £5 per person per class, this is the perfect way to put the spice back into your special night.
March
As the spring starts to set in, it’s time to shake off the gloom of the winter months, get all dolled up and have your other half take you out in style with a trip to a casino. I'm thinking James Bond, 
Casino Royale (without all the gunplay); glamour, sexiness and plenty of fun.
Put on a nice dress, get him to wear his best suit and hit your local casino for fruity cocktails and cheeky gambles. You don’t have to break the bank – take only what you would be willing to spend and have fun placing petty bets and sipping fancy drinks until the money runs out. After a night on the casino tiles with your man, you’re guaranteed to feel like his one and only Bond girl.
April
Why not honour the age-old Easter tradition and organise a treasure hunt for you and your other half?
Forget the chocolate eggs, and buy each other a nice gift that you would really want, then hide them somewhere in the house and go hunting.
First one to find their gift gets to choose a treat of their choice, and that could lead to plenty of fun all on its own!
May
“Ghost”: one of the most romantic films of all time, and the only film to ever make pottery look sexy.
I'm not suggesting you head down to your local pottery workshop in nothing but your man’s office shirt, but a pottery class for two is definitely worth a visit.
You will both have plenty of fun getting messy together, and even if the pots come home wonky, you’ll both be glad you gave it a go.
June
Being shot at doesn’t sound particularly romantic, but paintballing may just bring out the Action Man in your other half, and that’s bound to get your pulse racing.
Taking your man paintballing is guaranteed to impress – he will think he has the coolest girlfriend/wife in the world – and despite the possible bruises and unflattering outfits, you will both have an amazing time. Make sure you’re on the same team, and watch your other half get all protective over his “little lady”. He will love showing off his gun-slinging skills, and there will always be an excuse for the two of you to “hide” in the bushes together for a little while!
There are paintballing centres across the country, with prices ranging from as little as £12.50 per person for a full day session (prices from National Paintball Fields).
July
As the summer months start 
to roll in, why not get out and make the most of it with a romantic boat ride for two. It’s going to take team work to avoid any mishaps on the water, but once you’ve got into the stroke of things, you’ll both soon be feeling the ripples of passion well below the surface.
Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful setting for your romantic trip on the water. Hire a small rowing boat from the Marina along the River Avon, take a picnic basket of all your favourite goodies and spend a sunny afternoon lovingly gazing into each others eyes, as you drift across the calm waters. At £4 per person per hour, you could afford to stay out there all day!
August
I'm sure the two of you will have already booked a romantic holiday this month, but that doesn’t have to be the only thing you do together in August. Follow your animal instincts and plan a trip to the zoo.
Walking around, hand-in-hand, in the sunny weather can be romantic in any setting – and all of the fascinating animals will give you plenty to talk about. You are guaranteed to find the day thoroughly enjoyable; plenty to laugh and joke about and it will be nice to experience the animals without the kids around for a change.
Dudley Zoo offers a daily close encounter with their resident monkeys. The walkthrough experience, “Monkey Tails”, allows you to get up close and personal with the animals in their own natural habit. Hopefully the two of you will be inspired to do some monkey-ing around of your own after that!
September
In the hope that the good weather lasts until September, why not try your hand at something else animal-related and saddle up for a horseback ride.
You may both need some practice, but once you’re ready to roam, the two of you can share a fun-filled and romantic afternoon with your new friends.
Dutton Stables in Curdworth, West Midlands offers a fantastic day of fun for you and your partner with its Pub Trekking afternoon. After some basic riding skills have been gained, you and your man will ride out to the nearby canal-side pub “The Dog and Doublet”, where you can have a spot of lunch before heading back to the stables. The whole trip takes two hours, including an hour for lunch, and your meals are included in the price. At £45 per person, it’s a tad more expensive than some other activities, but well worth it for a romantic horseback ride for two.
October
Get in the spirit of Halloween, and book a night at a haunted house. For the two of you to experience something so spooky together will make you feel so close, and it’s certainly going to be a great story to share with your family and friends when you get back.
There are no guarantees that you will see anything out of the ordinary, but the atmosphere itself is bound to put your nerves on edge. If nothing else, this experience will give you plenty of reasons to cuddle up to your other half.
The Red Lion Pub in Avebury, Wiltshire is one of the most haunted places in England, with an array of ghostly visitors, such as a woman named Florrie (who takes a particular shine to bearded customers) and a number of childlike figures who have been spotted roaming the halls. The B&B costs £40 per person per night, and is well worth a trip if you think your nerves can manage the stay.
November
Before the frost sets in on your chances to get away once again, why not throw caution to the wind and book a four-day stay in a stately home this month. England is full of beautiful stately homes; full of grandeur, spectacular views and interesting places to visit.
The breathtaking rural town of Sherborne in Gloucestershire is the setting for the magnificent stately home, Sherborne House. Situated just 10 minutes away from the picturesque village of Burton-on-the-Water (the so-called Venice of Britain), and no more than half an hour drive to the bustling town of Cheltenham, there are so many interesting places to visit and cosy couples activities to engage in – you will be spoilt for choice. One bedroom retreats in Sherborne House are available for as little as £180 for a four night stay for the two of you, and the trip is sure to put the spark back into any relationship.
If any of you would like further information on Sherborne House, read my blog post "Four days in a frosty haven" to get a real feel for the place.
December
December is always an expensive month, and with Christmas on the way you’ll be looking for something cheap and cheerful to keep each other entertained, so I suggest a blindfolded food tasting evening.
Blindfold your partner, and feed him a selection of foods (nice things only, it’s not a punishment) and see how many he can get right just on taste and texture alone. Then swap and have him feed you.
You will be surprised how intense and erotic this can be, and given the right mood it could no doubt lead to plenty more fun throughout the evening. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and you'll have him eating out of the palm of your hand all night...literally!
Sorry for all the random fonts, it had a fit when I tried to change them.
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