With the fast pace of life — including families, friends, jobs and other obligations — it’s important to slow down and spend one-on-one time with the person you love. Sometimes, though, it can feel like an added expense that doesn’t fit into the monthly budget.
Whether it’s a first date or you’ve been together for years, here are a few ideas for a discount date night that can help keep money concerns from getting in the way of spending quality time together.
Movie Night
Who needs to spend money at a movie theater when you have Netflix — or any other streaming service — at your fingertips? Turn down the lights, make some popcorn, curl up together and watch that movie you’ve been meaning to see. Or, make it a double feature and each pick a favorite flick to share with your date.
Have a Picnic
Whip up a meal and enjoy it al fresco with a picnic. Find a scenic place, spread out a blanket, put down the phones and dig in. The menu doesn’t have to be too involved — grab cheese and crackers, make sandwiches or pick up snacks and some dips — and spend some time connecting with both each other and the great outdoors. Bonus: Bring a game or a deck of cards and extend your picnic with a few games.
Volunteer Together
Volunteering is not only free, but it can be a great way to spend quality time together while also strengthening ties to your local community. Look for in-person opportunities to serve food, wrap care packages, facilitate or solicit donations, or spend quality time with seniors or those in need. A volunteering date will fill you up with not only the feeling of connection to each other, but the joy that comes with helping others.
Visit a Museum
Take in some culture together with a visit to a local museum. Most museums feature designated free hours, allowing you to absorb works of art, historical artifacts, scientific information and more without spending a dime. Search your city or a nearby town for free admission for your next date night.
Go on a Hike
Hit the trails with someone you love for a date that involves a little adventure. Whether you revisit a favorite path or explore a new area, a hiking date allows you to talk while taking in surrounding nature and getting a little exercise as well.
Belly Up at a Dive Bar
With cheap drinks and tons of personality, your local dive bar is an excellent place to post up for a date night. Grab two stools, score drink specials and catch up with your loved one in a cozy, unpretentious space. Bonus points if they offer karaoke!
Plan a Game Night
Planning an at-home board game night brings laughter, conversation and a little competitive energy — plus, it’s just all-around fun. Grab a few games — both familiar favorites and new discoveries welcome — and settle in for a night of friendly competition.
Work on a DIY Project
From painting a room to working in a garden, doing a DIY project together is a great way to take care of two things at once and maximize your quality time together. Plus, you’ll not only spend quality time together, but you’ll be nurturing your shared space, making it better for many date nights to come.
Have a Bonfire
The crackle of a fire, the warming smell of smoke, the stars overhead — nothing says romance like cozying up together in front of a bonfire. Grab a beverage, get the s’mores ingredients out and create a romantic scene for just the cost of a match or two.
With a little creativity, a bit of enthusiasm and a genuine goal of spending time together, you can have a date night that’s unique, memorable, inexpensive, and, most of all, fun.