It may be a month since Valentines’ Day, but that is no reason not to continue enjoying some fun times with your boy or girlfriend. While you may fancy a romantic break to a beautiful destination or a candlelit meal in a luxury restaurant, money probably means you need to keep your dates more realistic. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a great date together – especially if you are willing to use your imagination or put in some extra effort. You may need a bit of cash, but here we present five date ideas that shouldn’t break the bank!
Rather than paying over the odds for a meal in a restaurant why not turn cooking dinner into a date all of its own. Sit down together and decide what you want to make and go out to the supermarket or shop to get the ingredients you need. Just spending time together picking up what you need can be enjoyable, but when you get back home you can also get down to cooking. You may be able to show off your culinary skills or pick up some tips from your loved-one. The cooking should be a fun experience to enjoy together, so don’t suddenly think you are on Masterchef! Plus, there is also the added bonus of having a nice meal together at the end – without spending too much money!
We don’t mean that you have to both hit the gym and get pumping iron (unless you are into that sort of thing, of course!), but rather get outside for some more relaxed exercise. Going for a bike ride or a walk through a pretty location can be a great way to spend time together. Pick out your route before you set off so you know where you are going – perhaps a walk in the woods or through a local park. With Spring underway, now is the perfect time to head outside and get some fresh air and exercise together. You can always plan to stop in at a café or maybe take some snacks along with you. While you are out you could feed the ducks at the park, sit by a stream and chat, or have a competition to see who can take the best photo. Where you go and what you do is up to you to decide, but getting away from the crowds can be a nice way for you and your loved one to connect.
Taking the whole ‘getting out for some exercise’ to another level, you could go for a picnic together. Put together some sandwiches, drinks, and a few treats (cake, chocolate, etc?) to take with you and pack up a blanket to sit on. You should also bring something to do after you have eaten – so a kite, Frisbee, ball, or other game might be a good idea. Alternatively you could just spend some time people-watching!
Why not go and get some culture by heading out to a museum or an art gallery together. Check the prices before you go (although many museums are free) so you don’t have any nasty surprises and maybe bring some cash so you can have a stop at a café for something to eat or drink too. Who knows, you might see something that could inspire your career? You could go to the next level by having a whole day pretending to be tourists. Check out guides to your local town or city to see what’s on offer where you live and set out a day of exploring. A lot of people leave the sight-seeing to the tourists, but why not pretend you are tourists in your home town for the day and see some of the things you might not normally bother with?
Playing a game together, whether it is a board game or on a console, can be a great opportunity for flirting with one-another. A little light teasing can be fun but be sure to keep things light and fun – it is supposed to be enjoyable for both of you! However, games can be great for bonding and if you fancy playing one that needs more than two players why not consider setting up a double-date?
These are just a few suggestions, but feel free to tailor them to suit you. Perhaps they might inspire you to come up with your own affordable dating ideas? Of course, dates are not the only way you can watch your money in 2016 – but that said, it doesn’t hurt to let your hair down and have some fun too!
