Kourted Newsletter
November 11, 2026
By Beyond Excellent Consulting LLC
Holiday lights make almost anything feel special.
But a pretty setting is not the same thing as a well-planned date.
On Friday, November 13, Merry Midtown at Libbie Mill runs from 6–9 p.m. with holiday light illumination, free carriage rides, a live DJ, vendors, food trucks, cupcakes, donuts, and other seasonal activities.
That gives you the atmosphere.
Your job is to build the experience around it.
How she should feel: Festive + Playful
Budget: $25–$75
Experience objective: Holiday anticipation
This date should feel light.
Warm.
Easy.
A little nostalgic.
You are not trying to squeeze every activity into three hours.
You are creating a holiday evening that feels thoughtful without becoming overproduced.
Send something like:
“I planned something festive for us Friday. We’ll see the lights, take a carriage ride, grab something warm, and explore the market for a bit. Dress cozy. I’ll handle the rest.”
Simple.
Clear.
No guessing.
Merry Midtown runs from 6–9 p.m., so aim to arrive near the beginning rather than waiting until the event is at its busiest.
That gives you time to:
The goal is festive.
Not frantic.
Do not just walk from vendor to vendor.
Create one small challenge:
Each person has to find one thing under $10 that would make a great holiday gift for the other person.
You do not even have to buy it.
The fun is in explaining the choice.
That tells you something about how she thinks.
And it gives the market a purpose beyond browsing.
The free carriage rides are one of the strongest built-in date moments at the event.
Do not rush into it immediately.
Let the night begin with lights, food, and movement.
Then use the carriage ride to slow the pace.
That change matters.
The event gives you stimulation.
The ride gives you room to notice each other.
This one does not need a gift.
Know what she likes.
Hot chocolate?
Coffee?
Tea?
Seasonal latte?
Have it ready before she asks.
That communicates:
I thought about your comfort before we got here.
That is Kourted.
During the quieter portion of the evening, ask:
“What is one holiday tradition you would keep forever?”
Then share yours.
You can follow with:
“Is there one tradition you would love to create someday?”
That keeps the conversation connected to the environment without becoming overly serious.
Because the event itself is free, the budget can go toward comfort and food.
A realistic plan:
You do not need to spend the full $75.
The purpose is not to prove generosity through spending.
It is to create ease.
Holiday events can become exhausting quickly.
Long lines.
Crowds.
Cold weather.
Too many stops.
So the leadership principle for this date is:
Protect the play.
If the carriage line is too long, skip it.
If the food truck wait becomes frustrating, choose another vendor.
If she is cold, move somewhere warmer.
If the energy starts dropping, close the date.
Do not sacrifice the feeling you wanted just to complete the plan.
If weather changes, keep a nearby indoor coffee or dessert stop saved.
If the event becomes too crowded, enjoy the lights briefly and transition early.
If carriage rides are unavailable, replace that slower chapter with a short walk around the lake or a quiet seated stop.
The activity can change.
The emotional objective stays the same:
Festive. Playful. Connected.
Anyone can walk through holiday lights.
What makes it Kourted is that you:
That is the difference between:
“Let’s go look at lights.”
and:
“I planned something festive for us.”
The lights bring the magic.
You design the date.
Plan the date. Build the look. Lead the moment.
She may remember the carriage ride.
She may remember the lights.
She may remember which ridiculous $10 gift you chose for her.
But more importantly:
She will remember how she felt.
She will feel Kourted.
If you were planning this date, what would make the night feel most festive: holiday lights, a carriage ride, seasonal food, or the vendor market?
Kourted helps men plan thoughtful dates, build the right look, and lead the moment with confidence.