Creative Dating Ideas (AKA, Cheap Dates)

Since my last post was all about celebrating Valentine's Day with the kids, here's a follow-up post on celebrating it with just hubby.  As I've mentioned before, we've been on a strict budget ever since I became a full-time stay-at-home mom over four years ago.  When we had two incomes, we would go out to eat at actual restaurants several times a week and think nothing of it.  Mmmmm, the memories!

Now, I'm happy if we go through a drive through once a week so I don't have to prepare one meal out of 21 weekly meals typically eaten at home (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week, baby!).  Disclaimer: I don't cook three meals a day.  I'm a mom who lives in reality, not Martha Stewarts-ville.  Breakfast is usually cereal or leftover pancakes and lunch is pulled out of the refrigerator.  I try to cook dinner most nights a week but we regularly do "Free For All" night.  Last night the kids' dinner was a tangerine, baby carrots, black beans straight from the can, and some deli ham.  And I had a bowl of cereal. But, whether I cook or not, we usually eat at home because eating out is just so costly.  

With our budget as it is, if we plan for it, we can go out to a special meal at a restaurant once or twice a month (usually we use one as a date night and the other is my mommy's night out).  It's a different world for us these days.  And because of our budget, Adel and I have resorted to creative dating.  If you are similarly on a budget, a Dave Ramsey fan, or just don't want to fight the crowds on Valentine's Day, below are some cheap date, I mean creative dating, ideas.  Let's be realistic, these creative dating ideas will only work after the kids are in bed.  Music and lighting don't hurt either.

·        Create a romantic picnic in your bedroom.  Spread a clean blanket or sheet on top of the bed as a “table cloth,” and enjoy your favorite take out.

·        Plan a movie night.  Rent, borrow, or use one you own.  Get popcorn, your favorite candies and sodas, and snuggle on the couch.

·        Plan a game night.  There are many board games designed for four or more players that can be creatively adapted for two players. And who else can you play trivia with while snuggled up in bed?

·        Watch your old home videos or look through your photo albums together.  Make it fun by playing your old tunes too.

·        Create a spa in your home.  Play serene music while you pamper each other with massage.  Light candles and make the atmosphere romantic and relaxing. 

·        Create a puzzle or mystery for each other to solve.  You can buy a dollar store puzzle, assemble it, and then write a message on the back for each other to discover while assembling the puzzle.  You can also make your own puzzle with a good piece of cardboard.

·        Cook a fancy dinner together, something you’ve never tried before.  Share a bottle of wine while you cook.

Comment below if you have any other good ideas for cheap, at-home date nights!  

I would love to expand my repertoire!