Amazing Date Nights… That won’t break the bank!

Before we get to the list, I already know your top date night excuses … challenges: Time and Money!

Let me go ahead and get those out of the way, m’kay?

We don’t have time for dates.

We all know life is demanding and time is precious. But listen y’all. This is important.

Your marriage is something you champion for- make time.

This isn’t so much a solution as it is a mindset shift. Other than your relationship with God, your relationship with your husband is THE MOST important relationship of your life. So make time.

Seriously.

Far too often we mean to do it but the next thing we know another month has passed without a date night! If this is you, planning out your week ahead of time will help you get that date night on the books!

We don’t have the money for dates

House payment, utilities, medical bills, piano lessons, school events, bible study books, ballet classes, a gift for this weekend’s birthday party– it feels like everyone is after us for money, amiright?!?

When the bills come due we cut things that aren’t “needs”. But I hope by now we are all on the same page: you NEED to keep your marriage a priority!

Of course, having a need doesn’t make the money magically appear. And let’s face it, date nights can be especially expensive because while you are OUT, you have to pay someone to stay IN with the kids! (Sometimes the cards are stacked against us parents, for sure.)

But we can work together here. You make sure to add your date night (and childcare if needed) to your monthly budget and I’ll keep most of the date nights under $30. Deal?

Now that we’ve smashed those obstacles let’s get to the fun!

Amazing Date Nights!

Out of the Town

1. Trivia Night– Keep an eye out for restaurants that have trivia nights. The trivia night is often free to play so you just need to get an appetizer or something to nosh on. The best thing about trivia is that in addition to being fun, you might win some decent prizes!
2. Visit a Local Brewery or Winery– My husband and I enjoy visiting breweries and wineries in our area. Seeing where your beverage is produced is definitely cool. I also like them because I like to try before I buy and most are happy to provide samples!
3. The Playground at Night– I know this one sounds juvenile but when was the last time you swang? (On a swing set y’all, not the other kind!) It is seriously fun. And it’s way more fun to go at night, when most parks are empty, rather than in the sweltering sun surrounded by little kids.
   This one is also as much fun in your own backyard as the public playground… well, except you may not be able to swing as high.
4. Visit a Saturday Flea Market/Garage Sale/Farmers Market– If you’re lucky enough that you can finagle play dates for your kids, a morning of bargain hunting is a great way to spend a Saturday!
   Arrange the playdates, drop off the kiddos and shop away, loved one in tow!
5. Dinner Crawl– If you have a downtown or other area where a couple of restaurants are close together and arrange to have a traveling multi-course dinner.
   “How?”, you ask? Simple, visit a different restaurant for every course.
   This is only recommended when the weather is nice! Appetizer, dinner, and dessert with a nice stroll in between!
   It’s like a bunch of little amazing date nights in one night!
6. Visit an Arcade WITHOUT Your Kids– Sure, they might be intended for kids but maybe your spouse has a hidden talent for skeeball or whack-a-mole you never knew about? Up the ante with small wagers if you care to.
   Save any tickets you win for the next visit with the kids.
7. Visit a Museum or Public Garden– I don’t know about you but taking the afternoon to stroll with your loved one while getting smarter sounds diiiii-vine!
   Not to mention that when I don’t have my littles in tow, I love anywhere that silence is appreciated.
8. Commit to a Karaoke Night– Some people take karaoke way, way too seriously. Those people are usually pretty good at singing.
   However, when done in good humor karaoke can be a lot of fun regardless of actual skill. It’s a great time to let loose and belt out those feel-good tunes you practice in the shower.
   If you worry about embarrassing yourself in public just remember: you will likely never see any of these people again. If that’s not enough to convince you, check out #20  Karaoke for Scary Cats!
9. Go Parking– Pull the back row out of your minivan or SUV, throw in some refreshments, blankets, pillows and head out of town! Maybe there is a beach or lake overlook near you?
   If not just try to find a picturesque road off the interstate somewhere. Pull off, park and cozy up in the back with the hatch open to enjoy the alone time with your honey!
   DO remember to upload a playlist on your phone.
   DON’T get lost or kill your vehicle battery!
10. Check out a Live Jam or Jazz Night – I find the lively, elemental nature of jazz to be great for a date night! You might have to do some digging around but most towns have a jazz venue. If you are coming up empty check with a restaurant that features live music to see if they have a jazz set.
    If you are sensitive to noise you might want to bring some foam earplugs. It’s very rare that I suggest bringing earplugs on a date! That being said, jazz can get quite loud. I would rather enjoy the music through the earplugs than want to leave because of a developing a headache.
    Just make sure to remove them for conversations with your sweetie between sets.
11. Tour Your Town– Hit up the local Visitor Center to see what great locations await you in your area. Is there on off the beaten path museum or nature reserve? You might be near the world’s largest ball of twine and have NO idea!!! Gather up your pamphlets of choice and head to a coffee shop to plan your escapades!

Love Through Creativity

1. Share a Playlist– If you’re my age you remember the good ol’ days of making and trading mix tapes… I recorded the songs off the radio and decorated the cases with multi-colored click pens.
   In high school, we burned CDs and used sharpies for decoration.
   Honestly just thinking about it makes me nostalgic…((sigh))
   The days of sitting next to the radio hoping to record the song you requested are long gone but using Spotify we persevere.
   My husband and I like to sit out on the porch after the kids go to bed, singing along to all our old favorites.
   It’s a great way to enjoy an evening without coughing up for a sitter!
2. Take a Class Together– Almost every sizable town has some sort of craft class. Learn to make a painting while enjoying a glass of wine, stained glass shops may have glass fusing lessons, ceramic painting or basket making. Check with local community colleges. If nothing else check with craft stores such as Michael’s or Hobby Lobby to see what classes they offer.
   If you’re coming up empty handed on lessons in your area, check out date #20!
3. Date Night through the Ages– Get your wheels turning to come up with activities outside of your “age”!
   If you’re channeling your teenage years hit up the roller skating rink and go parking (see #13).
   Fast forwarding to your life in your golden years? Catch a rousing game of bingo at the local hall followed by pie and coffee at a local diner!
   If your budget keeps your date night home based try a “Golden Girls” or “My So-Called Life” marathon with snacks to match the genre- hard candies or pizza rolls, anyone?
4. Themed Date Night– Now a themed date night can be as simple or elaborate as you choose.
   For an All American date night, simple could be cooking (or carrying out) your favorite burgers and fries, enjoying them by candlelight then cuddling up to a movie like “A League of Their Own”.
   An elaborate Mexican themed date could be dressing up and going out for fajitas and margaritas then hitting up a joint that does salsa dancing!
   Ocean-themed evening? Sushi (or fish and chips) and visiting an aquarium (or exotic fish store!).
   What themes can you come up with?

Date Night IN

1. Fire and Wine Night– An amazing date night doesn’t require leaving the house and this one is so simple if you haven’t already done it you’ll be kicking yourself.
   Once you get the kids in bed light up the fire pit, crack open a bottle of wine and snuggle up to your sweetie.
   For a great, log free alternative, try a gathering of different size/height candles- just make sure you are in a well-ventilated area away from flammable materials such as walls or curtains. Groupings of candles can be a serious source of heat!
   Date night should NOT end in injury or property damage!
2. Game Board or Card Night– A little competitive spirit can make a game night a blast with just the two of you… this is one date night that could be improved by inviting another couple.
   Let the kids claim the TV with a bowl of popcorn and a Redbox while y’all play the night away in the dining room. Done and done!
   Don’t discount kiddie games, especially if y’all are flying solo! My hubby and I love a rousing game of Connect 4 for a bit of strategy that doesn’t take all night!
3. Take YouTube Lessons– You can learn dang near anything on the internet these days!
   Perhaps you’ve both wanted to learn to play guitar? Or Bob Ross’s “happy little clouds” get your creative gears turning! Maybe you dream of being an origami master. Do you yearn to do yoga? Even learning a new language can be a silly & fun way to spend a date night!
   If y’all don’t want to commit to a series of lessons, take turns picking.
   Perhaps you are talented and y’all could create and upload your own lesson series. The options are limitless!
4. Kitchen Tastings– Doing a night of tasting can be an easy way to try new things and share an experience with your spouse. It takes a little prep but it’s super simple!
   Pick a product: red wines, beers, ice creams, flavored chips, anything really. Stock up on a couple different varieties of whatever you’ve chosen.
   Set the scene by picking a soundtrack, lowering the lights, lighting some candles and displaying your samples.
   Taste chosen products one at a time. (If you really want to set an air of formality have saltines on hand to “clear the pallet” between bites.)
   Make notes on said products. Share notes and giggles.
   It might seem silly to actually write notes but there is something hilarious about your spouse reading off “it tastes like old shoes” that would be lost if you didn’t take notes!
5. Karaoke for Scaredy Cats- Not feeling your singing power-ess enough to perform in public? No worries, you can host your own karaoke night!
   Just search YouTube for karaoke versions of your favorites songs!
   Whether you give it a whirl with just your mate or invite a gaggle of friends it’s sure to be a blast!

Back to Nature

1. Pedal with your Partner– I’m not sure why bike rides make such a great date night. Generally few words are shared but there is something that connects you during a bike ride and the exercise feels great! Maybe you have a destination. Maybe you just find joy in the ride. Find what works for you!
2. Explore a Nature Trail– Enjoying the natural beauty of your area with a day hike is another great way to spend time with your honey. Especially when the kiddos are off on playdates or at grandmas!
   As far as an amazing date go this is one of our favorites but please make sure to hike safely

What are your favorite date night ideas?

These are just some ideas my husband and I enjoy. Do you have amazing date nights y’all use to keep the home fires burning?
I would love to hear them! Please share them in the comments below!