Originally posted August 2012
There was a time in my life when I would have taken offense at being called a “cheap date.” But once you’re married with small children, teenagers or without a job, a cheap date is a grateful option and becomes quite valuable. Many couples think if they are limited on money then the date night is the first thing that needs to go.
I would disagree.
When you’re forced to live on a limited budget date nights are even more important. When stress is high, the need to connect increases. And connecting is difficult if there isn’t time set aside to actually connect!
So now that you see the need, let’s talk about the how!
This is my favorite thing to do–brainstorm fun ideas when it seems there isn’t anything fun to do that’s also cheap.
8 Valuable Cheap Date Ideas:
- Wherever you go hold hands. It is an easy way to connect and communicate the importance of being together.
- Plan a dessert rendezvous under the stars. Set up two comfy chairs, get candles, a firepit or tiki torches – whatever you already have, and set the chairs around the fire. Get a small table using one from your house, and serve your dessert while enjoying the music provided by the crickets. See if you can spot a shooting star.
- Set up a jigsaw puzzle on a table somewhere in your home where it won’t be in the way. Work on it together when you have some time. You’ll be surprised at how much casual conversation takes place while doing this.
- Go to your local bookstore or library. Each of you split up for 15 minutes and find a non-fiction book you find interesting. For the next 15 minutes read until you discover something you did’t know before. Then spend the rest of the evening talking about what you’ve learned.
- What was a favorite movie of yours before you and your spouse met? Plan an evening to watch it together. Don’t forget to include your favorite movie snacks too.
- Have a spa night where you give each other massages. Afterward draw a warm bubble bath surrounded with candles and soft music.
- If your spouse enjoys sports, plan an evening to watch a video of some the most memorable moments in sports history. If they’ve already seen all of them, then make your own trivia contest and see if you can stump them. If they win, they get to choose the prize. If you stump them, you get to choose. With this game no matter who loses still wins!
- If you need more ideas, we have them under our D.R.A.B. date night category, which stands for “Does Not Require A Babysitter.”
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This is our 11th post in the Ultimate Blog Challenge to post everyday in April.
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The Romantic Vineyard 
These are some great ideas to spend time together.
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I think having date nights should be something only death parts you from, and you have given some great ideas in this post. I think when times are tough, and money is tight, date nights are even more important, so that the stress over the lack of money doesn’t cause a rift in the marriage, as that kind of stress (or any kind) sometimes can.
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Jeanine, exactly! That’s why we will continue to beat this drum. It’s important for the health of marriage.
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The bookstore. That was my go to event when living in Cambridge (MA). And, mutual massages were almost a daily staple when I was married. Those weren’t dates- they were simply means to communicate and relax.
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There is hardly a night that goes by when Tom doesn’t massage my sore feet. Such a kind gesture that means so much.
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The date that I remember best
is the one that cost the least;
music videos from Manafest,
followed by ‘Beauty And The Beast’.
It was a quiet gentle night
when togetherness could still be found
before the coming of the fight,
and cancer’s demons all around.
I cannot now take the ease
for my concentration’s blunted,
but while these date-night’s had to cease
the love they carried is not stunted.
I’m grateful that this grace was mine;
its memory I polish – behold the shine!
If you’re not familiar with Manafest, here’s ‘Every Time You Run’.
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woow! these are some wonderful ideas
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If you are musical, you could sing or play instruments together!!!!
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Alice, what a great idea! Or if you both enjoy dancing make your living room a dance floor. ❤️
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Puzzles inspire conversation? Not in my house (just a little OCD about it).
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That’s part of it. You have to tell why you picked the word you played and the special memory behind it.
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These are all fun ideas! Today is my 21st wedding anniversary. My favorite cheap date with my spouse is eating ice cream and watching the sunset on Lake Michigan.
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Kandas, Happy Anniversary! We love sunset dates, and adding ice cream to anything is a win-win.
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