After a year of lockdowns, financial uncertainty and binge watching a LOT of Netflix – your date nights may have become a little stale. However, there are ways to create unique and affordable date nights at home.
Nothing beats a special night in with your partner to reconnect, have fun, relax and celebrate. So, we’ve put together some of our favourite cheap at home date night ideas. So you can keep the spark alive in your relationship without having to splurge.
Take Off The Pressure
Sometimes the most special nights together at the most simple ones. Do date night ‘little and often’ if that works best – remember there’s no pressure to make it epic or fancy! Date night is all about connecting.
Think about what makes you both the happiest – is it laughing together? Learning something new together? Competing against each other? Discovering new places? You don’t need to spend lots of money to achieve these particular elements of the date.
Plan Ahead
It may sound daunting but planning ahead is often the best way to ensure you save money on your date night. If you’re feeling very indecisive or stuck about what to do – we recommend making a date night jar. Fill the jar with ideas and take turns picking one or two for each date.
Some examples include…
- Free museum dates
- Making a photo album
- Trying a new cuisine
- Painting together (or each other)
- Making cocktails
Have fun brainstorming ideas together and be as adventurous as you like. Having the date night jar ready in advance will save you time, money and alleviate the stress of planning.
Save Money On Childcare
Join forces with a fellow couple and share childcare duties so you can rotate on your date nights! Or, if your kids are at school, perhaps you could arrange a day time date?
Travel
Arranging in advance here is the key! If you’re booking trains – go for off peak, or even super off peak times. If you use the train often, think about investing in a railcard to save extra cash.
Or, if you’re driving, why not see if you can car share with another couple, and rotate on date night lifts to save money on taxis.
Date Night Piggy Bank
This is a lovely option if you both fancy having a more of an indulgent date night out or if there’s a special occasion. Try putting a little money aside each month to go towards your dates.
Decide on a realistic amount for both of you to contribute. Not only is the anticipation for the ‘big date night’ exciting. It also means you won’t feel as worried or guilty about spending money on your date.
Go Virtual
There’s a plethora of free or affordable online content to enjoy on the internet now. A silver lining from lockdown.
A quick Google or Airbnb search will show you 100’s of virtual cooking classes, yoga classes, art classes, online puzzles, cocktail and mixology workshops, quizzes and more.
Companies such as Box42 have even created themed virtual date nights tailored for you to enjoy.
Go For Free
Find free events at museums, galleries and in your local area held by your community. Head to Facebook and type in the name of your area. Or go old school and check out your local newspaper.
From food markets, free yoga, and art exhibitions. You’ll be surprised what you can find to do for free locally.
Date Night At Home
Now this is our favourite option! You may be surprised at how spontaneous and creative you can get with a home date night. You can transform your home at little to no cost and create the perfect date night for any occasion. Small but significant changes like music and mood lighting can make all the difference. Choose songs you both love or maybe even ones you want to introduce to each other.
For example, the Tuscan Pottery date night box from Box42 comes with a romantic, Italian inspired playlist. Perfect for a cosy date night in.
Or perhaps you could get imaginative and dress up for each other. There’s no need to buy something new. Simply rummage through your wardrobe and find something that makes you feel great! Perhaps there’s a dress he/she loves you in.
These extra details mark the evening as something a little different and special and create a sense of occasion. The little touches change it from being another night in at home. To a special night where you both make the effort for each other.
Creative home date nights are a lovely solution for those on a budget. You don’t have t break the ban to have an amazing date with your special person. What are some of your favourite cheap at home date night ideas?
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