It’s about time to take your wife out on a date!
Alright, I can’t guarantee that she will “love” all of them, I mean what kind of guy would I be if I completely understood women? 😉 But, I am sure that she will at least love some of them, depending on the type of lady you have.
By “date” I am referring to anything you can do alone for a couple hours with your wife/girlfriend. If you have kids, you might just have to bite the bullet and pay a sitter for a couple of hours, but at least the date itself can be free!
I have found that creativity is often the source of the most fun and it doesn’t cost a thing! On the other hand you can often spend a lot of money doing the same-old-thing and not have any fun. These are a few ideas that have worked for us.
1. Have a photo shoot | FREE
Grab your digital camera (the best point and shoot cameras) and start driving around town together and stop at scenic locations and start taking pictures of each other. Be goofy. Be creative – think like an artist, don’t just take the same old fake smile centered pictures. Get out of the box and take some weird pictures! Take 100-200 pictures and go home, download Picasa, pick your favorites and stretch your creative muscles even more by adding various effects to each picture.
2. Have a movie marathon | FREE – $5.00
Of course the library is great for books, but most libraries now have an extensive selection of DVD’s as well. Go pick out a few of your old favorites then swing by the grocery store and pick up your favorite snacks. Turn off the lights, grab a blanket and cozy up for a night in the great indoors.
3. Go house shopping | FREE
Even if you aren’t in the market for a new house, just go browse anyway. There is just something fun about the home-browsing process. Pick a developing area and check out a few of the display homes. Make a list together of the things you like and don’t. This is also a great way to get some design ideas and to find layouts that you may want in the future.
4. Go play a sport together | FREE
Play basketball, tennis, soccer, catch, ride bikes together, rollerblade, or anything else. It is fun, you get to breathe some fresh air, and most of them are great exercise as well. How is that for multi-tasking?
5. Plan a vacation | FREE
As I write this I am counting the days to my next vacation. You could almost argue that the anticipation up to a vacation provides as much enjoyment as the vacation itself. So why not start planning one? Even if it will be two years away, it is still something to look forward to and will get here sooner than you know it. There are a million vacation related sites to get your brain churning and help you get ideas. Once you figure out where and when, start budgeting for it!
6. Dinner and dancing at home | FREE – $30.00
Make a playlist of your favorite slow songs and let them start playing. You can then cook your favorite meal together, put out some candles, the fine china, and have a relaxing and romantic dinner together. Once dinner is over, leave the dishes until the next day! Slow dance and think about each other like you did when you were dating.
7. Go on a picnic | FREE – $20.00
I can still remember the first picnic I went on with my wife (girlfriend at the time) and it was so fun. I made us her favorite type of sandwich, got her favorite chips and drinks, packed a basket up with food and blanket and we headed to our favorite park. We found a great secluded location right next to a stream that ran through it and threw our blanket down. We ate, relaxed, and talked for a while. We then wandered around the park and I played her a couple songs on my guitar. Guys you may laugh, but girls love it!
8. Play a game together | FREE
Find an old board game in the closet. Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Yahtzee, Monopoly, or anything else you both enjoy. If you don’t have the boards themselves you can play online. Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, and Monopoly.
9. Go camping | FREE – $50.00
One of the reasons I love camping is because all the distractions are (or should be) left behind. You can sit under the stars next to warm campfire and just talk to each other for hours. It is just a great cheap way to break out of the monotony of the daily grind. If you don’t have a tent you can get one for as cheap as $25 at Walmart. Sleeping bags can be as cheap as $10. Pack a cooler and hit the road.
10. Go for a moonlight walk | FREE
If you have a beach near you, I am a little bit jealous, and you should go there – often! If you are an inlander like the rest of us, you just need to find another place. But even a subdivision sidewalk will do. There is something very romantic about walking around at night, especially under the moonlight. Tell your spouse all the things you love about them and walk slowly.
My roommates and I often do each one of these things.
@Bamboo
Yea, you are right, after reviewing the list, most of them could work with friends – but what about dinner and dancing? 😉
Great ideas. My wife and I try to have time together every day by watching a television show, usually on DVD. This guarantees that we spend time together each day.
We also try to have several low cost dates like the ones you mention each month, and one bigger date that does cost money – to a show or concert etc.
All of these things are great ideas…even couples dating can do them. The best date I ever had was very similar to #6. He and I didn’t work out but it was still a great night!
I like it when my hubby and I just take bath together with some bubbles, candles and music.
Doesn’t cost anything and it is very romantic!
Cool ideas, the movie marathon is now more affordable than ever since redbox came out. Personally I’m a big fan of a canoe ride if you know anyone who owns one. Or take a bike ride.
Additionally, check out your local tourism website for some cool day trip ideas, like a covered bridge tour or free factory tours of local businesses.
Local wineries and breweries also offer a fun time and free samples as well.
Really nice ideas, lol… I will recommend this to my father so that he would have nice time dating with Mom. There is no doubt that all of these are fun and really thrilling. Continue to write posts like these, these are all helpful.
Great ideas! I love the taking pictures one and the dvds that works really well! its just so nice to spend quality time together no matter what the cost! These tips made me want to do some of them thanks!
Great ideas! Just forwarded them to my husband. Maybe he’ll be inspired! I’m hoping he gets the idea with your super-perfect subtitle. Much appreciated today!
I’m single now but these ideas makes me consider marrying soon. I’d love to pamper my wife by applying the above-mentioned formulas. Thanks a ton for writing such a great article.
Love all of these ideas!! Dates are good!!
Good ideas! Another one my hubby and I do is go to garage sales or thrift stores. Sometimes I have to bribe him with Starbucks though. :o)
These ideas are very good. Keep up the good work. You are sowing good seeds in families life’s. God Bless.
Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or visitor’s center to see what local places of interest might offer discounts for residents. We got a whole list of places in our town which are free or steeply discounted for residents. This will open up options such as museums, historical sites, and so on that you might never consider going to otherwise because of the cost.
Going to supermarket to shop can be a good date too! It shows to my wife that I appreciate what she is doing at home and I care for her and we can plan what we can cook together as a couple!