Anyway, as you may have noticed it's nearly February. We have lots to celebrate in this great month- Mike's Nana's 91st (!!!) birthday, his brother's 30th (!!!!...hi Chris, don't think we didn't realize this year was momentous), my dad's 52nd birthday (hi Dad!) AND a day off for President's day! There's also Valentine's day, which we usually don't celebrate with anything other than a nice dinner and maybe some yummy dessert.
(last year's Valentine's day dinner- bolognese with creamy polenta. Nom.)This year, I thought I'd whip up a few budget date ideas for V-day or any other day that you want to treat your sweetie to a special day/night out and not break the bank.
In every relationship guide/book/class/lecture/pamphlet/whatever, planning date nights is a consistent recommendation. One on one time becomes hard to come by when you're juggling work, family, blogging, cat-tending and whatever else it is you spend time doing. By carving out an hour or two to hang with your better half (not doing chores or stuck to a keyboard, you're proclaiming that they are important and worthy of some quality time. No matter how stressful your week becomes, you have that date night to look forward to!
The problem? Even going to see a movie, that classic date-night staple, is going to cost you over $20 bucks! Not to mention dinner, a sitter, gas for the car, etc. How can an amorous but budget-conscious couple hope to do this every WEEK?
That's where we come in!! Let us be your couple-time conceirge. Here are a bunch of fun, and thrifty dates that will rock your world!
1) Let's get physical.
(Do you love my hat?)(Mom, I mean that in the PG-sense of the phrase, okay?) Mike and I have had some awesome dates that involve getting outside and getting sweaty! Pack a few sandwiches and take a hike! I'll tell you, lunch alfresco after a good, long climb is absolutely amazing and completing something physically demanding will be a great bonding experience.
(Mike and I on the top of Mt. Cadillac in Acadia National Park)Other ideas: roller skating/blading, sledding, pick-up basketball, tennis or hitting a bucket at a driving range. A little friendly competition is a good thing in a marriage!
2) Get your art on!
Go paint your own pottery and collaborate on a sparkly plaster unicorn masterpiece (hi Kristen!). Grab some cheap-o canvases at the craft store and create a work of art to hang in your house! Try scrapbooking! I think it would be super fun to go to the dollar store for glitter, stickers and whatever else strikes your fancy and make each other Valentine's day cards! The more horrific, the better. It will still be cheaper than a Hallmark and you'll want to hold on to it!
3) Travel!
In Tiny Wallet land, travelling doesn't require a passport. Want to go to Thailand? Check out a Thai cookbook and whip up some spicy Pad Thai together. How about Italy? Homemade meatballs, marinara and "Roman Holiday" on Netflix! That's amore! Cue up some music from your destination country and enjoy your trip!
(An essential part of your Switzerland theme night, obviously)4) Day trips!
Last year, Mike surprised me with an awesome day trip to celebrate Valentine's day (totally breaking our usual tradition of staying in). We went for a chilly, but awesome walk around Walden Pond (which was frozen so we could walk across it!), and then pointed the car up the coast to Wells, Maine. We enjoyed a gorgeous walk on the beach where we usually bask in the summer sun and then shared a plate of seafood and a slice of blueberry pie. Our only cost was dinner ($20) and a tank of gas! And I'll tell you, I enjoyed that day more than any fancy restaurant meal or bouquet of flowers.
(Freezing my buns off on Walden Pond!)5) Get your Education On!
Author talks at your local bookstore are great (and usually) free nights out. Topped off with a cup of coffee before heading home, you'll fill your mind and your relationship tank for a few bucks. Does your local museum have a free night? Plan your date night for then and get your culture on! Check out local historical societies for free or low-cost guided tours (most have suggested donations) and learn about the history of your city or town!
(Historic Boston/Modern Boston)Don't forget about social buying sites like Groupon and Buy With Me who sometimes offer great deals on events around your city (concert tickets, half off at restaurants, etc.) It may not feel romantic to hand over a voucher at the end of your meal, but for us, saving cash is the sexiest thing of all!
How about you? Do you have any cheap date ideas to share????
(From our CHEAP and awesome camping trip to the Boston Harbor Islands last summer!)
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