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Creative Courtship: Objects of the Heart

Tips & Creativity Prompts

Here is a list of things to consider while you are coming up with an idea. Even if you already think you've got a great one, it might be fruitful to pull your idea through this list and see what it looks like at the other end. If you're stuck and need some help, perhaps consider purchasing some "creative courtship consulting" in the shop.

• Is there an object that your crush especially loves or thinks is hilarious? Something that you think captures his essence? Something that he works with daily via his job or hobby? Or perhaps an object that somehow embodies your relationship? Something that you have shared or experienced together? Perhaps something reminiscent of your first date? If so, this might be a fun medium to work into your act of creative courtship.

• If you are planning something for a person that does not know you very well, perhaps think of the object/activity as a way to introduce yourself. What does the thing/activity say about you and who you are? At the same time, can the object/activity also say something about who you think the other person is? What in particular have you noticed about him that is wonderful? Is there something you could do that would be both an introduction of yourself and an honoring of the recipient?

• Consider numbers. One thing? One thousand things? And why? One thousand things is not necessarily better than just one. Sometimes we can call someone's attention by presenting something in unusually large numbers and other times just one is perfect. Maybe 8 things? Perhaps a pair? Is there a particular number that is meaningful? Why?

• Consider scale. How big? How small? And why? Playing with scale is one of many ways to catch people's attention and make something stand out.

• Consider the 4th dimension; think about time in creative ways. Does your act of courtship consist of an object that is given all at once? A series of objects that are given over time? Perhaps an object is not really given at all, but wrapped up in a more complex activity that takes place over the course of an afternoon? Or maybe daily? Seasonally? Once a year? Furthermore, is the object/activity one for morning? Nighttime?

• Consider relationships, context, and the "life" of the object. How do the various objects interact with each other? How do they interact with you? And the recipient? Think about the spaces in-between objects, and between objects and people. This space is where the material things come alive - via activity. Think about what sorts of actions and responses your object/activity is likely to prompt. Does your object sit still on a shelf after you give it to the recipient? Does it become an active part of the recipient's life? Does it let the recipient do something that she couldn't do before? Does it remind her of something that is important to her? Does it cheer her on through a tough day? Does the object require both of you to be present for it to come to life? Does the object gather people together? Does it hint at a possible next date?

• Consider place. Where do you present your object/activity? Through the mail? At a park? At the recipient's place of work? On an airplane? After huffing and puffing up a hill on your bicycles? Underwater? What would be the perfect spot? Why?

• Consider presentation. How do you present your object/activity? Right from your hand to his? Balanced on your nose? Packaged up within ten different layers of colored cloth? Locked up with a padlock, requiring the recipient to find the key hiding in your corner store behind her favorite kind of cereal? At the end of a riddle? By choosing whether it is in your right or left hand?

• Is the object something you made? Something bought? Found? Expensive? Thrifty? Old? New? Transformed? Where is it from and how was it created - and how might these things be meaningful and fitting?

• Words. What is the role of words in your object/activity? Are there literally words on it? Or does the object come with a letter, a story, or some other sort of text? Or maybe you speak as you are presenting it? If so, what do you say and how do you say it? Sometimes words are helpful and sometimes they just get in the way or distract. What makes sense for you and your object/activity?