Hubby & I are on shoestring budget and have a date day each Tuesday. I think we have officially run out of free or cheap things to do. Don't want to fall into the habit of running errands on our day together, any suggestions?
go to the petstore and admire all the pets/fish/birds. Talk about the pets you had as a kid or laugh at the silly clothes that they make for dogs now.
xmas shopping at the toy store.
dollar store. Each of you go in with $1 and see who can find the wackiest/funniest gift for the other.
sit in the mall cafe and watch the shoppers walk around crazily.
It might help if you mention the kinds of things you've "run out" on. We like doing the same things--we're on a no date budget so are lucky to get out every few months for a piece of dessert and coffee and really enjoy that.
You could see if your area library or libraries have events for adults, like free movie nights or other activities. You could start a change jar and when you have enough for tickets go to a show (that's not free, but it doesn't hurt to toss change in a jar). My mom and I used to collect beer cans on the side of the road when we went for walks and we used the deposit money for books, so you could do that for dates, too.
If your family has a zoo pass, try a lunchtime date if you are able to plan ahead and get someone to watch the kids (or leave them in child care if you both work anyway) and go walk around the zoo.
I am not personally interested in EVER setting foot in an "adult" store, but if there is one your area you could go browsing together and maybe get something fun for later that is within your comfort zone and get in a few laughs as well.
If you have a flexible caregiver, see if he or she can watch your child/children away from your house so you could have a fun and romantic dinner in. It is always fun to cook and serve in just an apron (free!!) but not really a good idea when your kids are home.
I like the idea of looking at a pet store. I love animals and they are so relaxing to look at.
Find a place you can park legally for a while (and a little privately, but not too privately) and eat takeout in your car or the backseat if you have one. If your family has a portable DVD player, you could sit out there and watch a movie with a warm blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate or something.
is there a $1 movie theater by you? (you can always raid a walgreens for the candy drink and stuff them in a large bag (**blush** not that i break that rule or anything)
Can you guys donate time at a soup kitchen or pass out blankets to the homeless?
Can you guys go to a paint your own pottery place and paint something together?
Take an art class together?
Blanket and picnic to the park for lunch or dinner?
Here are some sites for cheap dates:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/frugal/frugaldate...
Get a book about full body massage. Not massage for sexual arousal
but massage for comforting and gentle touch.
Get some fragrant oils, etc. And give one another a full body massage.
Maybe 30-45 minutes each. The problem, of course, is that the person who receives the first massage won't really feel like getting up and giving the second massage.
We've been married 21 years.
We go to the dump.
We go to Walmart.
We get a burger at the local burger joint.
We paint a wall... We mow the lawn...
We hang out and watch TV.
As long as we are together, we are happy. It's all good. Just enjoy being together.
LBC
Go for a walk together
Cook dinner together
Eat by candle light
Read to each other (I love being read to!)
Write love notes or poems to each other
Feed each other chocolates, strawberries, grapes, etc
Make it a game - do it blindfolded and guess what it is you are eating
This time of year great - you can make a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate, pack a few cookies and drive around your neighborhood to look at the wonderful Christmas lights people put up. You get to spend time together, see some great sights and enjoy the holiday spirit!
Look online at all the local schools and find out when the christmas concerts are. and other time of the year concerts also. and sporting events. they are always lots of fun in the summer local youth baseball games are always a fun summer night date.
You might find coupons for buy one get one free. My last date with my hubby, we had a coupon for dinner (nothing fancy), coupon for minature golf, and then topped it off with a cheap movie. We have $2 movie theaters in the area. I can't remember the exact amount but it wasn't anymore than $30 for all that. We have a WII system and that is also fun to just hang out the two of us and play. I am sure you could just snuggle on the couch as well and watch a movie. Good luck.
A bottle of wine and a (maybe indoors, or on the bed) picnic. A game of cards. A drink/coffee/tea/juice with friends. James Bond Marathon, in bed. Snow shoeing. Drive to an old place of memories and relive the days. Take a bath and make some food. Have an underwear party - the two of you. Light off some fireworks (literally, not metaphorically...or maybe?). Visit the Natural History Museum in Denver. Watch the sun rise. Go bird watching. Ice skating. Jump on your bed. Climb a tree.
We sometimes like to test drive cars and dream. :) Also, we will walk down to the nearest gas station and grab a treat and eat it on the way back or sitting at a near park.
How about some service together? Research some local soup kitchens or shelters or other charities that could use a few volunteers, and go to that for a few hours (I think most soup kitchens will feed you as well, when you volunteer). It's so much fun and really good for your relationship!
Go for a walk through Castlewood Canyon. Ride bikes through Cherry Creek reservoir, or just watch the bird flock there, the pelicans are gorgeous!
Check Westword.com for the free stuff they have going: gallery openings, new shows, plays, etc that are usually cheap to free. Ice skate downtown in Skyline park for free! ($2 skate rental!)
http://denver.org/events/2for1tix Two for one Cultural attraction tickets.
http://www.denvercenter.org/education/EducationResources/... Free DCPA tickets.
Or check out the Arsenal: rockymountainarsenal.fws.gov
Happy dating :)
Coffee shops! A regular cup of coffee (or tea) isn't too expensive and you can sit and talk for hours! I love getting along time with my hubby. We like to walk in the park when its warmer, too.
