Cheap Date Ideas (WFMW #58)

With money being tigher for many people, it's important to find frugal ways to still have a date night with your spouse (or special loved one).

Eric and I like to joke, "We go out for one date a year whether we need it or not." (Okay, it's only kind of a joke -- we really only do go out together without the kids about once a year -- on our anniversary, although sometimes on my birthday as well. Don't feel bad for Eric though, we don't go out for his birthday, since he and Noah share the same day.)

Anyway, we really do seem to have "dates" more often though. Just because we haven't left the house doesn't mean that it isn't a date night. Our favorite date night just involves soda, snacks, and a Netflix movie.

Here are some other cheap date ideas you can do without leaving your home/yard:

• Candle lit dinner after the kids are in bed (or while they watch a movie) -- our favorite place to do this is our screened in porch
  
• Board games (we love Scrabble, but play other games as well) or Puzzles
  
• One of us sitting at the counter while the other one is cooking or baking (yeah -- this doesn't sound like a date, maybe, but we really enjoy it and it is some great time to talk)
  
• Play video games against each other after the kids are in bed (although this can bring the kids out of their beds to see what in the heck is going on)
  
• IM each other while you're both in the house with, um, perhaps more risque messages
  
• Teach each other about a favorite craft, hobby, or interest
  
• Give each other massages
  
• Reading aloud to each other (although we usually do this as a family activity nowadays)
  
• Star gazing
  
• Catch lightning bugs
  
• Picnic together (in the living room or in the backyard)
  
• Croquet, frisbee, or some other backyard games
  
• Do some yardwork or housework together
  
• Dance in the living room to some of your favorite slow songs (maybe even turn off all the lights and light candles)
  
• Look through old scrapbooks or photo albums and share memories (bonus to you if you look through albums that were before you had kids)

Do you have any great, cheap date ideas? Maybe things under $10? (You can even have them leave home, if you want.)





Check out more tips, tricks, and ideas at Works for Me Wednesday on Rocks in my Dryer!








photo by jereandreagan