Guest post from Lisa of Eclectic:
Over the years, my husband and I have always prioritize time together… even when money was tight, we just got creative with how to make date night affordable.
After all, the purpose of date night is to relax, to have some fun, and to reconnect with your spouse. None of these things require money. A date that achieves these goals is a success, and it doesn't have to be expensive!
If you're looking for a few ways to make date nights more affordable, these suggestions might help!
1. Swap Babysitting with Friends.
We are blessed to have friends from church who live nearby, and about once a month they babysit for us, and then we babysit for them. This way we both get regular dates, save money, and know that our kids are having a fun play-date with a family we trust.
2. Save Money Eating Out.
If you choose to go to a restaurant, there are lots of ways (in addition to couponing) that you can save. My husband and I frequently share an entrée. Sometimes we order an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, and share all three dishes. The point isn't to stuff ourselves, but to enjoy tasting different dishes and having conversation. If we're still hungry when we get home, we have a snack.
Sometimes we eat dinner at home, and just go out for dessert. Planning our date for lunch hour can also cut costs.
And though we both enjoy a good glass of wine, we usually skip alcohol at restaurants and wait to enjoy our wine at home.
3. Try an Activity Date.
During financially tighter seasons of our marriage, we've skipped the restaurant altogether. One of my favorite date memories was when my husband was out of town for work all week. When he came home for the weekend, I asked a friend to watch our kids, and I packed a picnic dinner in a cooler. We walked through a park, found a bench overlooking a river, and ate and talked there. It was one of our most romantic dates - and totally free!
One year for our anniversary we purchased two pieces of dessert from a local country store, took those to the park, ate them together in a pavilion, and then walked around. It was a special, relaxing date for under $10.
Our most recent date was only $2.50! We browsed the small shops in the Old Town near us, ending at a coffee shop where we shared a cup of tea.
There are so many activity dates outside the restaurant you can try for little cost - dancing, hiking, or seeing a matinee movie are just a few ideas.
4. Stay Home!
Last year when I was pregnant and then caring for an infant, going out of the house often seemed like too much trouble. Instead, we perfected the art of stay-at-home dates. The older kids went to our friends' house, and we enjoyed a few hours of quiet without them.
The rule is to turn all your work off! This is time to catch up on each other, not your projects.
Ideas for a fun stay-at-home date include a candlelight dinner in the dining room, a board or card game, a movie on the couch, etc. etc.
Don't let budget constraints stop you. We all know there is no price tag on love, relaxation, and happiness. No matter how much or little you have to spend, you and your spouse can prioritize meaningful time together.
What are your best affordable date night suggestions?
Lisa Adams lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and three children. She home schools, teaches part-time, reads, and blogs at Eclectic. But most importantly, she loves Jesus and lives to worship Him.
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