Sometimes it’s because you have kids that date nights are hard to come by.
Other times it’s because you’re strapped for cash and the idea of paying $50 to go and see a movie is just absurd.
Finding date night ideas that won’t break the budget can be tough – after all, you still want it to feel like a date, without it costing as much as a date does.
Just because your dates are ‘budget’ doesn’t make them subpar either. The ‘what’ isn’t as important as the ‘why’.
What you do for your date isn’t as important as why you are going on a date – to spend alone time with the one you love, to reconnect again, and to give each other your undivided attention.
While you don’t need date nights to have a happy marriage, they might be the thing that makes you happy and gives you the time to connect in your relationship and that’s such a fun way to do it!
So, here’s some inspiration for you with date night ideas that won’t break the budget, but are super fun and will have you laughing and loving in no time!
1 – Grab a pillow and blanket and head out to the trampoline.
On a clear night, head outdoors and turn the trampoline into an outdoor bed.
Take a hot chocolate and biscuits if it’s cold, otherwise, just snuggle under the blankets and watch the stars.
There’s something cosy about being outside. If you don’t have a trampoline, that’s fine. Grab a picnic rug and a blanket – it works just as well.
2 – Take a class together.
Ever wanted to try something new?
Each take turns in picking out a new class to try.
We tried this one out recently when I wanted to start yoga classes again.
The studio we went to offered the first class for free. It was a great new class for us both, gave us heaps to talk about and best of all – it was free.
3 – Pack a picnic.
Who says picnics are just for lunches?
You could do a picnic breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Pack some of each other’s favourite foods, grab a picnic blanket and sit back at your favourite outdoor spot to relax.
This might mean heading down to the beach (at night, gorgeous), sitting in the park or by a lake.
4 – Cook a romantic dinner together.
Take the time to plan your menu, go grocery shopping together and then get into the kitchen.
Cooking together is a great way to communicate with each other while relaxing over a glass of wine.
Set the dining table as you would see in a restaurant and make sure you have the candles lit.
Dress yourself up and make a real date of it.
5 – Game Night.
This might not be the best idea for a romantic night, especially for those of you who are super competitive… like me, but it is still fun nonetheless.
Pick your favourite board games, grab a glass of wine and some nibbles and settle in for a night of competitive fun and banter.
We often have these game nights after the kids are in bed and sleeping.
6 – Go people-watching.
This is one of my favourite things to do and it is surprising how much watching others sparks up a conversation between the people you are with.
Find somewhere a little busy where you can sit back, relax and have a drink.
Watch as others go by and scurry on about their lives around you.
There are a whole lot of incredibly interesting people out there who will offer a myriad of topics for conversation.
7 – Pool Night and Pub Trivia.
Check out your local pubs to see if they have a trivia night.
These are usually free to enter and you can win some pretty awesome prizes.
Even if you’re not the greatest when it comes to general knowledge questions, you’ll still have fun and have a laugh.
After the trivia is done, migrate over to the pool tables and keep a bit of the competitive spirit going.
To spice things up a little more make little bets with each other – such as ‘If I win… you’ll give me a 20 minute foot massage.’
8 – Go for a big long walk or hike.
This one is more of a ‘date day’ idea (I certainly would not be hiking at night…).
Have a look online and see if there are any National Parks or walking tracks near you and plan your day.
Make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks as well as let someone know where you are going for the day, especially if it’s somewhere quite remote.
9 – Scrapbook your dream house.
Grab a whole bunch of housing magazines and a glass of wine and start ripping out pages of things you love.
Keep them all together either in a folder or scrapbook and keep adding to it from time to time.
When it comes to decorating or building your dream home you’ll already have a great base to start from as well as both being on the same page.
In addition, this can make you both more motivated to move towards your dream home and you’ll have a great idea of what each other wants.
10 – Playlist Night.
Spend the night sharing your favourite songs from your playlist.
As you work your way through the songs, share with each other why you love the song and what it reminds you of.
You’d be amazed at what you learn about each other.
Talking about your past, your memories and your experiences is so important in a relationship – this is the perfect way to get the conversation going.
11 – A Sweet Night.
Have a dessert-only night where you head out to a restaurant or late-night café and only order dessert.
You may even have a chocolate bar close by where you can order a sample plate with a nice cup of coffee and just slowly work your way through the sweet delights.
Sometimes it’s nice to indulge in some sweet treats and forget that you were supposed to quit sugar (whoops).
If you’re struggling to find time to spend with your significant other now’s the time to just make it happen.
What’s your favourite thing to do for Date Nights? Share your thoughts and date night ideas below; I’d love to hear from you.
Dyana
Friday 8th of September 2017
I wish there was a chocolate bar close by in my area! The thought of a 'date-night' makes me cringe because things are SO expensive today. I've never thought to people watch. I do this on my own(Nosy Rosy here), but adding in my partner may be a lot of fun.