I’ve been really making date nights a priority these last few years. Taking that time out to connect with your spouse is so important to maintaining a healthy, happy relationship. That one-on-one time, regardless of what you are doing, will help you connect, even if the week has gone sideways and you’re stressed to the max! So how do you implement frequent date nights without breaking the bank? Here are some inexpensive spring date ideas to choose from:
Make a Marriage Bucket List: You’ve probably heard about a personal bucket list. You might even have one! But a marriage bucket list? That might be new to you. Take a night and create a list of “must do” items that you both want to accomplish during your marriage {you can even cross off one of the items that night if you want!}. Put this list where you can see it often and use it as a date night guide for future memorable dates together.
Hit up a Farmer’s Market: You can eat, stroll and talk… and did I mention eat?!
Watch Cartoons: No seriously! Sometimes being silly is the best stress reliever! Put on your PJs, cook up some breakfast for dinner and watch some of your favorite cartoons together. Laugh and enjoy feeling young again… if only for a few hours. If your husband chooses Speed Racer though, make sure there is a time limit. 😉
Head to a Matinee: Going to the theater is so fun, but can be so expensive. Matinees are cheaper, less crowded, and you still get the movie-going experience! Bring some baby wipes for the seats though…. Movie theater seats creep me out for some reason.
Become a Tourist: Nope, I’m not talking about traveling. I said inexpensive, remember?! I’m talking becoming a tourist in your own town. Chances are that you have totally free museums you’ve never even stepped foot in, or hiking trails to explore or historical sights you’ve never seen! Head off together and see what your city has to offer! Sight seeing options in my town include the cemetery, the post office, the park and a goat farm. So you know, keep in mind, some of us might have to go the next town {or two} over.
Learn Together: I don’t know about you, but I love to learn new things. Learning new things with the HH is just a bonus! Look up free lectures. Take a community ed class. Learn to cook. Sit and watch a documentary at home. It sounds nerdy {and it is}, but you’ll be amazed at how much it gives you to talk about. Idea for an adult education class: How to shop with your spouse without making each other crazy.
Go to an Arcade or a Bowling Alley: Does your town have an old school arcade or bowling alley? If so, roll through your local arcade like a couple of high school kids. Pac-Man, Galatica, Donkey Kong. A few bucks can provide a whole lot of fantastic entertainment.
Volunteer Together: Helping others and serving the community together can not only make you feel good, but can make you feel closer to your spouse. Pick something near and dear to your hearts— maybe an animal shelter, a food bank, etc. and volunteer together. You’ll get all those self-righteous feel-good emotions AND get to spend time together without spending a dime.
Plan a Picnic: This is the epitome of cliche date nights, but picnics are just so much fun. A change of scenery, a good meal, some good company. There’s a reason picnics are such a perfect date! Unless of course you live in tick country. Then this would be a VERY bad idea for a date.
There are just a few to get you started! Now go grab your sweetheart and start checking them off the list!
Date on,
~Mavis
Vicki says
I love the idea for cartoon date night. Such a cute idea. You have every right to be creeped out by movie theater seating. One of the theaters in our area had to be closed down and treated for bedbugs. Several people complained and it was on the news. Love the other ideas!
Lolly says
Our kiddos have youth group on Wed nights, at our main church campus, half an hr away. Dh and I take the kids, then go out to dinner together. It’s been so nice to have time just for us! Sometimes he works too late to get home in time, but his work is about 15 min from the church, so he just meets me there. 🙂 We used to attend a church closer to the house (4.5 min, to be exact, lol!), and we would often grab takeout, then go home and watch whatever show we were binge-watching, till the kids were done. We’ve had more dates in the last yr or so than we’ve had total since the kids were born! Obviously, we’re not super picky about what constitutes a date! I just like getting time together!
Cass says
Mavis, get a lint roller and roll over your pants and dog before coming into the house. Sit on a blanket for your picnic and enjoy.
Mavis Butterfield says
I love the lint roller idea!!!