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Kid’s Food Basket – Volunteer & Donor Appreciation Day 2018

Kid’s Food Basket is one of the greatest charities in all of West Michigan. Here at Alliance, we support Kid’s Food Basket because they’ve supported us in the past. Today they hosted Volunteer & Donor Appreciation Day and it was spectacular! Not only is this event fun filled and exciting, but it’s also a great chance to get to know the workers and the minds behind Kid’s Food Basket. They have games, they have food, and live music. This event will knock your socks off AND you’ll get to hand out with some of the most innovative and creative people behind the idea. What a wonderful afternoon spent together with Kid’s Food Basket. We love them and appreciate their work in the community, and they turn around and appreciate us too. It only goes to show the character, kindness, and humbleness of the organization as a whole.

Kid’s Food Basket works diligently to ensure as many children as possible have a well-balanced meal. They want to make sure all children are able to be their best every day. Currently they are serving 45 schools, and over 8,000 children daily, across west Michigan. Unfortunately, there’s still 27 schools on the wait list.

To help get these schools off of the wait list we can donate and volunteer as much as possible! One way to help, is by requesting a quote online, through our website’s “Quote’s for a Cause” and we’ll donate $10 per quote.

You can also go to their website and donate or schedule a time to volunteer at a Kid’s Food Basket location in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, or Holland.

Quotes for a Cause – http://www.allins.com/quotes-for-a-cause/

Kid’s Food Basket – https://www.kidsfoodbasket.org/

Here are some of the photos of Alliance employees having a blast at Volunteer & Donor Appreciation Day 2018! Enjoy!

 

 

10 Insurance Terms that Everyone Needs to Know

 Insurance Terms Explained

Not everyone speaks the insurance language, so it can be difficult to work with your agent when they say things that don’t make sense. To your agent, they’ve been training and specialized in this area so it’s no big deal, but to the average person insurance can be tricky and confusing. Some people are just starting their own policies and have never gotten insurance before, some people have been given bad explanations of insurance terms. In an effort to make life easier for those people, we’ve put together a small list of insurance terms that are fairly common in the insurance world.

Deductible: A deductible is the amount that you pay before your insurance company will pay out. For example, your vehicle has thousands of dollars in damage and your deductible is $100. You pay the first $100 and then your insurance company pays for the rest.

Replacement Cost: This means that replacement of damaged materials will be done with the same exact materials. This is for home policies and this will guarantee that if anything happens to your home, everything gets replaced exactly as it was before.

Actual Cash Value (ACV): This is the replacement cost minus depreciation.

Underwriting: This is a term that we use often and it’s not common knowledge. An Underwriter is a position at a company, similar to being an agent or an adjuster. An Underwriter’s job is to dissect the insurance policies and make sure all requirements are met for their company and that the policies are written with the correct coverage. When there is a question in regards to what is eligible with one of our companies, an Underwriter is the person who determines that.

PLPD: This stands for Personal Liability and Property Damage. This is liability only and is the minimum requirement by the state of MI. This coverage will not cover your vehicle in the event of an accident, it will only cover the liability.

No Fault: All auto insurance in the state of Michigan is No Fault Insurance. It’s a state law, not an option. So it isn’t an optional coverage that you can add to your policy, it’s our only option. What No Fault means is that when there’s an accident, everyone is responsible for their own vehicles. So regardless of which driver got a ticket for the accident, if your vehicle is damaged, then you will need to contact your own insurance company. So if your vehicle is totaled in an accident and you have liability only on your policy, then there won’t be any coverage for your vehicle.

Full Coverage: There are many different ways that someone can have “full coverage”. It can be just comprehensive and collision (many different kinds of collision), or it can include rental car coverage and roadside assistance in addition to that. It can also include higher liability limits and an umbrella policy. So full coverage is a very vague term and when asking for “full coverage” you should always make sure you know exactly which coverages you do and don’t have. You can also have full coverage with deductibles that are high enough that you would almost never use the coverage. If someone tells you that you have full coverage, you’ll always want to verify with them what exactly those coverages are.

Comprehensive: Comprehensive is also known as “other than collision” and that’s exactly what it is. Comprehensive is coverage for if your vehicle has damage from fire, theft, vandalism, water damage, natural disasters, falling objects, glass damage, and for hitting an animal. This is particularly useful for windshields and when you hit a deer. Comprehensive is the cheaper coverage to add to your policy and it covers a wide range of perils.

Collision: This is coverage for when the vehicle “collides” with another object. There are 3 different types of collision. Limited Collision is when the damages to your vehicle are only covered if you were not at fault for the accident. Standard Collision covers the damages to your vehicle, no matter who was at fault, and you must pay the deductible amount prior to the insurance company paying out on the damages. Broad Form Collision covers the damages to your vehicle, no matter who was at fault, and you only pay the deductible if you were considered at fault for the accident. Again, if you don’t have any kind of collision on your vehicle, then the damages to your vehicle with not be covered in an accident.

Premium: Your premium is the cost of the policy. When looking at your premium, be sure to check the length of the policy period (usually 6 months or 12 months). We all know about payments and how those work, but it’s difficult to process the thought of “earned premium” with insurance. Earned Premium is when you have had insurance for a period of time (even if you didn’t file any claims) and now you have to pay for that coverage.

 

With these insurance terms explained, you’ll be better prepared for your future conversations with your insurance agent. You’ll be able to make better informed decisions when choosing your coverages and deductibles and instead of asking what the agent thinks is best for you, you can decide what coverages you want for yourself! If you have any questions about these definitions or any other terms you’d like explained, just give us a call!

Memorial Weekend 2018

Summer is here and we have a 3 day weekend! Most of us will start attending grad parties and having bonfires. It’s busy season, that’s for sure. We’re all anxious to get outside and get going. Activities that we have been waiting all winter for, and chores that we need to get done in warm weather, can now be done.

We’ve had some crazy weather here in Michigan this year and Monday is supposed to be a lovely day. We’re looking at sunny and 85 all weekend so get to the beach for the first time this year! At least go for a walk or sit on the porch and just enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine. This weekend should be relaxing and exciting, don’t do anything that brings stress or anxiety to your life. Use this as a calm way of welcoming spring (and not too far from summer). Spend time with family, watch fireworks, grill out, and go for a swim! This weekend will be the start to a great summer and we want to get off on the right foot!

Be sure to drive cautiously this weekend, there will a lot of people on the road, traveling for the weekend, and a lot of extra alcohol out and about. Anytime that there’s more vehicles than usual on the road, the risk of an accident increases. You’ll want to drive carefully and take your time, don’t be rushed and anxious on a three day weekend!

People will be getting out the recreational vehicles this weekend and all of their summer toys. Make sure you have these insured and ready to go in event of an accident!

Make sure you brush up on tips and tricks from previous blogs!

Travel trips for a holiday weekend: http://www.allins.com/blog/3-tips-for-travel-on-labor-day-weekend.aspx

Swim Safety: http://www.allins.com/blog/summer-swim-safety.aspx

Boating Safety: http://www.allins.com/blog/5-boating-safety-tips-for-memorial-weekend.aspx

And our Grilling and Firework Safety: http://www.allins.com/blog/independence-day-family-fun-and-fireworks.aspx

 It’s never too early to start your summer bucket list! Time is going to fly and in order to get everything done that you want to do, you’ll need to plan ahead. Get started on your bucket list so you can put those events on the calendar and work around them! What fun things do you have planned for this summer? Share with us!

 Before Memorial Day, brush up on your American flag protocol! It’s that time of year and it’s important to fly our flag with honor, make sure you’re doing it correctly: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-schweitzer/honoring-the-stars-stripe_b_10134868.html

 Let’s remember to honor those who have served our country and show our respect to them every day, especially this weekend. Make sure you thank all veterans and active duty military. Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend! Share your Memorial weekend plans with us!

Mother’s Day Gift Guide and Ideas

We all love our mother’s but for some reason, we can never find good gifts for them on mother’s day. It ends up being a last minute scramble for something nice on Saturday afternoon. Prepare early this year with our gift guide for Mother’s Day. This way there’s no panic or stress involved and we can all enjoy a day to celebrate our mothers and the sacrifices they’ve made for us.

Mother’s Day also celebrates the influence of mother’s in society. So someone doesn’t have to be a mother in order to be celebrated. This day is just a time to be thankful for all people who have a maternal influence toward you. Show them your appreciation with these gifts!

 Flowers: these are never a bad idea. Flowers are a great way to show your love and appreciation for someone without going overboard. Simple and lovely, these will brighten her day for sure!

Jewelry: She’ll be able to wear it all the time and she’ll remember you every time she sees it. Plus, she can brag to her friends when they ask her where she got it!

Breakfast in bed: don’t wake her up early! This is just a peaceful surprise and who doesn’t love food that they didn’t have to make themselves? Chances are, your mother has fed you more breakfasts than you could possibly make up for. This will be a wonderful way to make it up to her.

Family trip: Many mom’s want to spend Mother’s Day with their family! Some quality time, hanging out with the people she loves most. This is fun for everyone! Some ideas for this weekend in the Grand Rapids area are tulip time, the zoo, or going to see a movie.

Spa day: Let her relax and give her some peace. A spa day is necessary every now and then but a mom usually doesn’t have time for this because they’re busy taking care of you! Give her a spa day at home or send her to a salon to get pampered!

Nail salon gift card: She can have some lovely, spring colored nails and go relax for a half hour at the salon. Whether it’s a pedicure or a manicure, she’ll love it.

A day to herself: some mom’s need peace and quiet. They love their families with all their hearts but occasionally they need some alone time. She can watch movies, read a book, take care of things she’s been wanting to do but hasn’t had time for, or she can be lazy all day if she wants! This day will be all for her, whatever she wants to do.

A personalized gift: Similar to the jewelry idea, this is something she can see and always be reminded of your appreciation for her. You can get her anything and get it personalized for her. Some popular choices are pottery and paintings.

 

Spend time with all of the motherly influences in your life, not just on Mother’s Day either. Our mom’s give us everything they have and it’s great to show them the appreciation that they deserve. This means your mom, step mom, grandma, aunts, your friend’s moms, and everyone else that has encouraged you and helped you grow. Our mothers are special so we have to make sure we treat them that way.

Summer 2018 Bucket List

Spring is FINALLY here and Michigan is excited! After the tough winter we had, it’s obvious we’re all pretty pumped about the warmer weather. We’ve been dreaming of outdoor activities for months now and it’s time to get those on our calendars! In order to keep you from getting overwhelmed with your options for this Spring/Summer, we’ve put together a list of activities for the ultimate summer!

Hiking: Pick a trail! There’s plenty of options for this activity in Michigan. Google hiking trails near you and I’m sure you’ll have tons of choices! Make a day of it and take your time enjoying the fresh air. Take a camera and capture the scenery!

Hammocking: An up and coming “activity” that doesn’t involve much effort at all. Take your hammock anywhere and just relax. Bring a book to read or just take a nap! It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you’re having fun and enjoying nature.

Tie-dying: More fun than you think! This is an activity that I always do outside so that I don’t get any unwanted dye in the house. Do this outside to enjoy the weather and let your new creations dry faster in the outdoors! Now you’ll have something unique and stylish to wear for your other summer activities!

Tubing: Who doesn’t like floating down a river with your family and friends? This is a no-effort, time consuming activity. Plan for a whole day in the sun! Bring food, drinks, and A LOT of sunscreen. It’ll feel nice and cool in the water but the sun will be very direct. You don’t want to get heat stroke so sunscreen and drinking water will be necessary!

Kayaking: This activity is pretty similar to the Tubing (see above). The only difference is that this one involves a little more effort and will go faster. You have the option of just sitting back and floating down the river, OR you can paddle and move a lot faster. This is more of an arm/back work out and is still an absolute blast! Strap a cooler on your kayak and make a day of it. This is a great way to have fun in the outdoors and get some exercise at the same time.

Paddle boarding: I’ve only done this once but it was so fun! Make sure you’re prepared to fall into the water because any change in balance could have you in the lake. This is more often done on a lake in the open water and is more active.

Bonfire: Everyone loves a good bonfire! Make some s’mores, stay up late, and tell some wild stories. A bonfire is one of the most classic summertime activities and they never get old.

Meteor shower: There’s usually at least 1 big meteor shower every summer and they are spectacular! These are typically in August and can be seen from anywhere. It’s best to have a more rural area to watch from, if you’re in town the lights will make it more difficult to see the stars. Usually if you just watch the news, they’ll tell you when this is what the best times are to go outside and watch this happening. Otherwise, you can google it and find a TON of info. Meteor showers are amazing and they’re worth it to stay up late for. You might lose a little bit of sleep, but you won’t regret it!

Picnic: Eating food, enjoying fresh air, and catching rays all sound like a good time to me! Let’s have more picnics this summer. We eat 3 meals a day, at least one of them can be outside! Using your lunch break as some time to get some air will make for a more peaceful rest of your work day. You don’t have to go too far, wherever there’s a lush spot of grass there can be a picnic!

Camping (the real kind): We’re talking tents, campfires, hammocks, and coolers. Spend the night in the great outdoors and eat some delicious fire food while you’re there. Camping is a great way to get some peace and quiet while appreciating nature. Camping is good for your soul and will rejuvenate you.  

Visit one of the Great Lakes: We’re so blessed to have access to the largest bodies of fresh water. We need to take advantage of them and go and see them! Swim or just lay on the beach. These lakes are so beautiful you could just spend all day gazing at them. There’s endless options and so many opportunities! I encourage you to spend a day at the lake this summer, do it for yourself.

 JUST A REMINDER – now that spring is upon us, more parties and gatherings are going to be held in our backyards. Graduation parties, open houses, weddings, receptions, and other large get-togethers may get out of hand. It’s always a good idea to get an insurance policy for those types of situations. They’re usually pretty cheap and it’ll keep you covered in the event of an accident. ALSO – be sure to call your insurance company when you update your home or vehicles. If you’re updating your home, there’s discount opportunities for those new features, make sure you call to keep your insurance up to date and get all possible discounts.

Having a recreational vehicle is a wonderful thing. It gives you a chance to have some real fun in the outdoors! Whether you’re on the lake in your family boat or riding backwoods trails on your bike or ATV, these are all summer activities that we enjoy and participate it. The only part of these hobbies that isn’t exciting, is that they’re dangerous. We need to make sure that your outdoor, summertime toys are protected and also that you have liability for those as well.

Now that all of the recreational vehicles are coming out of storage it’s time to just remind everyone of some basic safety tips when driving!

1. Always look twice in both directions before moving forwards. There may be a smaller vehicle, like a motorcycle, that you didn’t see the first time. A quick glance in each direction isn’t going to cut it in the summer.

2. Give people with trailers, campers, and mobile homes more room to make wide turns. Those vehicles need a lot of space and it’s better for everyone if we just give them some additional room to safely make the turns they need to.

3. Give people with trailers, campers, and mobile homes more stopping distance. Those vehicles are also very heavy and will need more time to reach a full stop. All other vehicles need to be prepared for that.

4. Wear a helmet. If you’re riding any vehicle that doesn’t have a complete exterior surrounding all drivers and passengers then a helmet is a good idea. It may not be the law to wear a helmet, but it’s always good to protect your head. These accidents are often fatal and wearing a helmet can prevent that.

5. When riding/driving recreational vehicles on trails, it’s important to have a flag on your vehicle so people can see you from a distance and through the woods. This way, when vehicles come from other directions or crossing trails, they’ll see you better. Also make sure your headlights are on.

6. When riding/driving recreational vehicles on trails, make sure you’re aware of all of the ways and rules of participating in those activities. You’ll need your helmet for sure. You’ll need to know how to use the number system when there’s multiple people in your group so the other traffic can prepare for the other members of your party. The number system is just clearly displaying (using your left hand) how many vehicles are behind you in your group. This will keep all opposing traffic prepared for what’s coming.

7. Always know your surroundings. When riding on trails, it’s important to know the lay of the land. You don’t want to get lost and you don’t want to get hurt. Many trails look the same so getting lost is easy. Keep a map with you and make sure you’re aware of what checkpoint you’re at (or closest to). You’ll also need to now this in case of an emergency. It will take an ambulance a long time to get back on those trails so knowing the nearest check point can easily cut that time in half.

We’re all stoked for summer so let’s make sure we all cooperate and follow these rules together! It will make the warm weather and late nights much more enjoyable when we feel a little safer. Make sure you get all of your recreational vehicles insured before driving them, for your safety and the vehicle itself. If you would like a quote, contact any personal lines agent at our agency! Our contact info can be found here http://www.allins.com/content/employees.aspx

Enjoy your weekend and drive safe!

2018 Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement

 

Ryan and Amara Kyes have always had a heart for the community. They do their best to help everyone they know and spread joy. They give back in every way possible and they’ve now passed on that dedication to their daughter’s as well. The Kyes family are the perfect example of the giving and caring that this world needs.

Dan Fulwider was a man of selflessness and giving spirit. He has since passed, and now has an annual award for $2500 (to be given to a charity of the recipients choice) for someone who has shown a passion and dedication for community service. The recipient will also be recognized at the 2018 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention in Washington, D.C.

We are proud to announce that Alliance Financial & Insurance Agency has won the 2018 Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement, and will be donating the $2,500 to Kid’s Food Basket!

The Kyes family have a passion for Kid’s Food Basket. Before Ryan adopted his four eldest daughters, they were often fed by Kid’s Food Basket. They weren’t able to always find food in their home in downtown Grand Rapids so Kid’s Food Basket was a huge blessing to them.

Once they were adopted by Ryan and Amara Kyes, they felt blessed by what they had so they decided to start volunteering to give back all of the blessings that they had received. Little did they know, they were packing the same brown paper bag’s full of food that they had once been receiving. Phalesha Kyes has even gone to help deliver the brown paper sack dinners herself. 

 The Kyes family have always been huge supporters in the Lowell/Grand Rapids area. Alliance has generously been sending employees to volunteer at Kid’s Food Basket and will continue to do so in order to give back to the organization that once gave so much to their daughters, before they were able to adopt them.

 

 

Watch Phalesha’s story at https://www.kidsfoodbasket.org/videos/

You can also watch her tell her speech from the Annual Feast for Kids on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/allianceins.agency/

Her speech really gives a lot of insight as to just how generous the Kyes family is and the importance of Kid’s Food Basket. Check it out today!

Alliance has been so honored and humbled, to have received this award and we’re looking forward to using this reward to help Kid’s Food Basket give as many sack suppers as they can!

New to Insurance? We’ve got you.

You never had to drive before and now you’re getting started. What do we do first? You’ll need a valid driver’s license. When you get a quote on auto insurance you’ll need your driver’s license number, your address, and you VIN for your vehicle. Putting a quote together for your first time will involve quite a bit of information so expect to answer quite a few questions and be prepared for the conversation to take a couple minutes. 

In Michigan, our auto insurance is the most expensive out of every state. The reason for this is due to our unlimited medical, it drives the rates up and up so that we can pay for other people’s medical expenses for their whole lives. Because of this, every detail of our lives can impact our rates. You’ll need your address, your prior insurance, your career information, your vehicle information, and probably more questions will follow that.

It’s not wise to compare your rates to anyone else. You might think “they have the same year vehicle, they’re my age, and they live on my street, why are they paying so much less than me?!” but you never know how long that person has been insured, what their health insurance covers, or their family situation. Every single detail matters. No one will have the same rates as you because it’s all individualized. Not everyone is eligible for the same discounts and not everyone will have the same coverages as you will. They may say that they have “full coverage” but there’s a multitude of ways that someone can have full coverage on a vehicle.

It’s important to always talk to your agent about this. If you’re having trouble understanding why your rates are so high, just ask. If you want to see what it would cost to change your coverages (there are many ways of doing so) then your agent can quote that for you as well. Doing some research on the internet isn’t a bad idea but you’ll want to make sure you’re looking at Michigan because, like I said before, Michigan is dramatically different than all other states when it comes to insurance. Something else to consider, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking at credible sources (.com, .net, .org, and .gov). The most accurate and most efficient thing to do would probably be to speak to a trustworthy insurance agent. If you’re in need of a trustworthy agent, just give us a call!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

When do I need to be added to a policy?

You’ll need to be added as soon as you’re a licensed driver.

What if I’m licensed but I don’t own a vehicle?

If you don’t own a vehicle, you’ll still need to be listed so that you can be covered as a rider in a vehicle with someone else. If you’re injured while riding in a vehicle, regardless of who owns the vehicle, you’ll need to have your own insurance to cover your injuries.

Whose policy do I go on?

 If there are multiple drivers in the household, it’s usually best to have everyone and every vehicle on the same policy. Most carriers will want to make sure the whole household is listed and eligible so it’s pretty convenient to just put everyone together. If you live with other drivers and don’t want them to be on your policy, just make sure that you’re able to provide a declarations page for any driver’s not listed on your policy.

I just got my license and now my insurance is not affordable, why is this so expensive?

 Your very first insurance policy will be more expensive than usual. Insurance carriers like to see that you’ve been insured consistently for at least 6 months prior to starting the policy, so if you don’t have the 6 months of prior insurance then your rates will be more expensive. After your first 6 months they should go down.

My child just turned 16 and is getting their license, what do we need to do?

Your 16 year old is getting their license, how exciting! Adding someone to your policy is not difficult or time consuming. You’ll want to be aware that the driving record and age of the new driver can affect your insurance rate. The younger the driver is, the higher the cost. If the new driver has a ticket, accident, or claim within the last 3-5 years then that could also increase your rates. Sometimes adding a young driver can increase your rates quite a bit. This is usually a good time to rerun your rates, there are carriers that rate cheaper for younger drivers than others. If you’re with a captive agency and you need to add a youthful driver, check independent agencies to see if you’re still getting the best rate.

Someone is moving in with me, do I add them to my policy or ask them to get their own?

 Well this depends on the situation. They’re driving record and age can affect your premium so you’ll want to be aware of that. You can always call your agent and quote adding them to your policy and compare that to a quote for just them. That can give you an idea of price differences and then you’ll just have to decide what you’d want to do personally.

 

If you have any other questions or if you’d like an insurance quote, give us a call!

616-897-1515

Mel Trotter Ministries is one of the few organizations that help reduce homelessness in the West Michigan area.

They provide shelter, meals, and encouragement to those in need. They provide so much more than that too. They create a place for people experiencing homelessness to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. In the midst of this, they provide a place for them to live, food for them to eat, and they help them with financial counseling. This way they can help them build a solid and healthy lifestyle from the start. Mel Trotter assists with finding jobs and follows up with people even after they’ve left the shelter. They want to make sure that those people can keep up with society, so they don’t end up back in the housing at Mel Trotter. At Mel Trotter, they work on long term improvement. 88% of guests from 2017 who exit Mel Trotter Ministry programs successfully remain housed after one year!

Throughout the guest’s time staying there, they have access to pastoral help and chapel three times per week. Mel Trotter Ministries are trying to create a warm, welcoming home for those who don’t have one. They use Christian beliefs and practices to show love and kindness in West Michigan. Their goal is to end homelessness by giving encouragement and hope to those who may not have any.

Most of us have been blessed with a home for our whole lives, and don’t understand the feeling of homelessness. Volunteering at Mel Trotter is an excellent place to go and get to know some people who have been in those situations. The stories that they can tell you and the knowledge that they can provide are going to be worth your time there. Building relationships is one of the most important factors in helping them get back into the routines of society.

In 2017 Mel Trotter provided:

101,987 people with shelter over night

129,313 nourishing meals, served with love and dignity

And served 460 youth, ages 18-24

They also assisted 401 men, women, and children with finding stable housing

Helped 103 people secure employment

Helped 84 families with children to find housing

Provided 2,077 patients with vision, dental, and chiropractic services at the Clinics

Here at Alliance, we have a Quotes for a Cause campaign. For every quote requested through our website (make sure to choose a ministry, and respond to our phone call), we give $10 to one of our partners, Mel Trotter or Kid’s Food Basket. These organizations have done so much to help our neighbors and our city, it’s time that we give back to them too! Think about what “home” means to you. Whether it’s a home-cooked meal, family, or just a roof over your head, some people don’t have any of those things. What would you do if you didn’t have anywhere to go at night? Think of every time you run inside your home, when it’s raining, windy, or you just can’t wait to get inside and kick your shoes off. Most of us have that luxury, but there are many people who don’t. Let’s work with Mel Trotter to end homelessness today!

For more info and ways to help visit http://www.meltrotter.org/home to see what you can do, and 

https://www.instantflipbook.com/flipbooks/6f0f6b2beb/?page=12 to view their 2017 annual report. 

Valentine’s Day: Date Night Ideas and Gift Guide

Valentine’s Day is here! Don’t forget to plan a special night for your special someone. We’ve compiled a small list of date ideas and then a gift guide as well. Hopefully this can help you give your significant other a date they’ll never forget. This is not limited to couples and can be used for a Girls Night Out or for your family members and friends as well. Although Valentine’s Day is generally more of a romantic holiday, it’s just celebrating love. It’s good to show your friends and family some appreciation on Valentine’s Day as well because everyone wants to feel loved!

Date Night Ideas for those who have forgotten or run out of creativity:

Go out to Dinner: The most common date idea, one that we all enjoy, is going out to dinner. Everyone loves easier with a full belly! Here’s a small list of some of the best restaurants in Grand Rapids. Grove, Green Well Gastro Pub, Marie Catrib’s, Terra, Brewery Vivant, Hibachi, the Downtown Market, or any place on 28^th Street! There are countless options for dinner in Grand Rapids and all of them can be as romantic as you make them.

Ice Skating: Rosa Parks Circle is $3 per person and you can skate for as long as you’d like! An excellent date, just be sure to check the weather before heading out. This skating rink is outdoors and hours may change depending on the weather.

Craft Room: If you and/or your significant other are interested in art, then these are some wonderful places to visit this Valentine’s Day! You have couples painting options where you can paint and have adult beverages for a romantic evening. You can do this at Painting with a Twist or the Brush Studio. Both are in Grand Rapids and both will leave you with a fun memoir of the evening that you can use as home décor as well. The Mud Room in Grand Rapids is a similar place, instead of painting you have pottery that you can glaze and wooden signs to paint. This is a little bit of a change up but the perfect choice for those of us who aren’t necessarily talented in the painting world.   

Movie: Go see a movie in theatres or rent one and watch it at home. Either one makes for good quality time with the person you love and can keep you out of the cold.

Sporting Event: Some would view this as not romantic but it’s so much fun! Wear your jerseys, get some nachos, and enjoy each other’s competitive spirits! Another way of doing this is to order wings and stay in to watch the Winter Olympics with your partner.

Blind Date Book from Barnes & Noble: Blind date books are one of my favorite surprises! You purchase a book that’s wrapped up with just a small summary on it and then you have to read to find out the plot. This takes you and your partner on a mystery adventure and can be done in the comfort of your home! 

Coffee: Getting coffee with someone allows time to chat and get to know one another. Everyone needs to get coffee now and then, even if you’ve been together for years and years! My boyfriend took me out for coffee and a nice walk in the fresh downtown air of GR last year and it was my favorite Valentine’s date yet. Some coffee shops are Biggby, Starbucks, Ferris Coffee & Nut Co., Madcap Coffee, Rowster Coffee, Schuil Coffee, and (my favorite) PaLatte Coffee & Art.

Horse-drawn Carriage Ride: You can ride around beautiful downtown Grand Rapids in a horse drawn carriage with your love. Bring blankets and hot chocolate and enjoy the fresh air! I’ve also had the pleasure of going on a carriage ride with my sweetheart and it was very romantic, I highly recommend this. It gives you lots of time to talk and get to know one another while experiencing GR. This is also a good way to get outside even though it’s winter! 

 

Here’s a small gift guide to help get your creativity flowing this Valentine’s Day:

Gifts for Her: Flowers, chocolates, balloons, jewelry, gold plated rose, eternal rose, cheesy matching things (phone cases, bracelets, t shirts, etc.), a nice outfit for her to wear to dinner, or a giant teddy bear.

All of these things may seem cliché or basic, but that’s all she needs. Valentine’s Day doesn’t require a huge, spectacular gift, a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolate is plenty. What a woman really wants is to spend time with the person she loves. You’ll want to be sure to get in all 5 love languages this Valentine’s Day.

 

Gifts for Him: Personalized pocket knife, soft blanket, tickets to a game or concert, chocolates, beer, a dozen donuts, heart shaped pizza or steak, gift card to his favorite store, or a good book.

It’s often perceived that men are too hard to shop for on Valentine’s Day. It’s as simple as finding something small that he loves. And once again, just like for women, men want to spend quality time with their loved one this Valentine’s Day. See the 5 love languages for more on how you can show love this holiday season.  

 

For more Valentine’s Day ideas visit https://www.experiencegr.com/events/valentines-day/ to see what some other people have come up with! Let us know what your favorite ideas are and if this was helpful to you and your loved ones this Valentine’s Day!