A Month's Worth of Inexpensive Dates

I have a little tradition of ending my calendar year with a look back at what I learned each year. I think a lot of you probably do a “year end review” in some way also. I feel like it’s a nice way for me to evaluate how I’ve grown over the last year. It also helps me determine my goals for the upcoming new year.

Without fail, the highlights of my year always include time with my hubby.

And without fail, I am always looking forward to growing in our bond and our marriage. What about you? Do you have any goals for your marriage next year? Because I’d like to challenge you to date your spouse more in this upcoming year. Dating is a fun and fairly easy way to spend time together, have fun together and remember why you fell in love to begin with.

To help you with that, here are 31 ways to date your mate – without breaking the bank.

31 Inexpensive Date Ideas

Watch the sunrise together. Yes, you have to get up early, but hey, that’s just more time in the day to spend together.
Watch the sunset together. The colors are awfully romantic as the sun sets. Spice it up by choosing a romantic setting or scenic outlook to watch from.
Cook a meal from a new recipe. Find one on Pinterest that makes you both salivate and then give it a shot. You may find a new favorite together. If you’re really daring, make up your own!
Go on a scavenger hunt. You can create your own and give your mate the clues or find one online to try.
Play 20 questions. By the time you’re done, you’ll realize you just spent some face to face time in conversation with your mate – even if only in a game.
Go geocaching. Google hunts available in your area. X marks the spot!
Take a long walk – holding hands. Whether in a local park or through the neighborhood, it’ll feel good to be together and get a little exercise. If it’s too cold, walk your local mall.
Picnic in the living room floor. Spread out a blanket and snuggle side by side on the floor for an unorthodox meal together.
Look at old photos. You’ll enjoy reminiscing on happy memories. Or end up laughing at your fashion and hairstyle choices.
Play DJ on youtube. Play your favorite songs for each other and if you really want to kick it up a notch, dance together.
Watch a movie on silent with closed captions. One couple I know with a really great sense of humor actually makes up movie lines for the characters while the sound is on mute. It’s pretty hysterical.
Go to garage sales. These may or may not be happening in your area depending on the weather. But if they are, go enjoy rummaging. Another man’s trash may be your treasure.
Find a free outdoor concert. Check out local online listings. Even if you aren’t familiar with the band, the concert setting is pretty fun.
Make a fort in the living room. You’ll feel like a kid again. And hey, what happens in your fort is your business 😉
Go to a farmers market. Nothing tastes quite as yummy as home grown, local produce, baked goods, etc from the market. If it’s not busy, get to know some of the vendors.
Play strip poker. Yep, I said it. Play strip poker! Even if you aren’t good at cards, the game is sure to end in delight 😉
Play board games. Whether it’s Monopoly, Connect Four, Ticket to Ride, etc gather at the table and spend the evening in a tech-free, good old fashioned board game.
Go to open houses for homes for sale. Who cares if you aren’t looking to buy a new home. Get dressed up and go to really expensive ones. Dream and enjoy pretending for the day.
Do karaoke at home. Give the vocal cords a workout as you sing along to some of your favorite songs. Add in some dance moves or fun costumes if you want to take it to the next level.
Make a time capsule. Fill it with special items from this past year or make it a themed capsule. Decide when you’ll open it in the future and then lock it away.
Test drive the car of your dreams. Visit a local dealership and find that red Corvette or Porsche or whatever it is you envision yourself driving down the highway.
Babysit for a friend. Give another couple the chance to get out on a date night. Who knows, they may reciprocate for you one day.
Play hide and seek in Walmart or Costco. This can be hilarious! And I’m sure the store employees will get a kick out of it.
Learn a magic trick together. And then go perform it for someone. Keep the secret to yourselves and awe and wow your friends.
Make out like you are dating. Even if you climb in the backseat of your car or sit at the drive in theater. Get all PG-13 with your spouse!
Write down the story of how you met. One day when you’re old and gray and your memory starts fading, you’ll be glad you did. Make sure you both handwrite a part of it. Maybe put it in a pretty frame and hang it somewhere.
Plan a trip to a place you’ve always wanted to go. Sure, you might not be able to afford to go right now. But you can still spend time together dreaming of it!
House shop for homes out of your budget or in another state on Zillow. Find that ridiculously priced mansion or the house you’d never ever have enough time to even clean.
Make up a fake national holidays, complete with all the rules, reasons and rituals. Just like Seinfeld’s “Festivus for the Rest of Us,” make up something totally ridiculous. Who knows, you may actually start celebrating it after having so much fun creating it.
Create a new family tradition to practice at Thanksgiving, Christmas or birthdays. It’s never too late to start something new. And you’ll look forward to it at that next holiday.
Have a paper airplane contest. Whip out your master folding skills and see which will plane will fly the furthest or hit a target.

Whatever you do, be present. Put the phone away for a bit and eliminate distractions. Enjoy the company of the one you love and make new memories together.

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What would you add to this list? What kind of fun and inexpensive (or free) dates have you been on before?

Happy Dating,