Going on regular dates is an important way for married couples to reconnect, have fun, and strengthen their relationship. However, date nights can get expensive, especially for couples on a tight budget. The good news is there are plenty of cheap, creative date ideas perfect for married couples looking to save money while still bonding and making memories.Looking for more cheap date ideas for married couples? OneDateIdea offers an extensive range of innovative dating suggestions to spark romance.
Date Ideas for Married Couples
A Picnic in the Park
Packing a simple picnic lunch and spending time together outdoors is a classic, affordable date option. Head to a scenic local park, lakefront, or botanical gardens and enjoy sandwiches or snacks you prepared at home. Bring along a lightweight blanket or towels to sit on, and pack beverages, fruit, cheese, veggies and dip in a small cooler bag. Spending quality time together appreciating nature is free and romantic.
Go Wine and Painting
Many wineries, paint stores, and group event spaces now host wine and painting nights. For usually $30 or less per person, you get instruction and all the art supplies needed to recreate a featured painting. No artistic skill required! Sipping wine to unleash your inner creative side makes for laidback laughs, and you get to take home a one-of-a-kind memento.
Hit Up Happy Hour
Specials Scope out happy hour food and drinks specials at local bars and restaurants in your area. Split an appetizer or two, then enjoy half-priced cocktails, wine, and beer for an affordable early evening date. Having a couple of drinks and bites during off-peak times can save you lots of money compared to dining out when prices are peaked.
Recreate Your First Date
Get nostalgic by planning an inexpensive date night recreating your very first one together. Dig up memories of the restaurant or activity you did the first time you went out when you were just starting to fall for each other. Reliving where it all began on a budget is a super sweet stroll down memory lane.
Have an Indoor Picnic
Rain ruining your ideal outdoor date plans? Improvise by spreading out a blanket inside and ordering in affordable fast casual fare or cooking easy picnic type foods at home like chicken salad sandwiches and pasta salads. Light a few candles, put on some romantic music, and pretend you’re dining al fresco without having to leave your living room.
Budget-Friendly At Home Date Ideas
From movie marathons to game nights, there are lots of fun at-home date opportunities perfect for married couples looking for cheap entertainment.
- Cook or bake something together while sipping wine
- Give each other massages by candlelight
- Cuddle up for a movie marathon in your PJ’s
- Play classic board & card games
- Assemble puzzles on the coffee table
- Slow dance in the living room
Out & About Daytime Savings Dates
Taking advantage of free events and entertainment during the morning or afternoon will save you tons of money over typical dinner and a movie date nights. Getting out doing activities together during off-peak times can turn into memorable adventures.
- Check out free concerts, festivals, galleries, and museums
- Take a hike or bike ride on local trails
- Pack a frisbee & snacks for the park
- Go thrifting & grab coffee after
- Take an impromptu mini road trip nearby
The Perks of Saving Money While Still Having Fun
The most meaningful aspect of spending quality time together will always trump where you go, what you spend, or what you do. Dates centered around conversation and reconnecting rather than overpriced dinners lead to stronger bonds and marriages. Splurging cannot replace engaging interaction. The beauty of cheap dates is saving money and getting back to basics – each other!
FAQs
What are some creative at-home dates?
Baking desserts together, giving each other massages by candlelight, playing board games, assembling puzzles, and slow dancing in the living room are all cheap, fun at-home date ideas for married couples.
What outdoor dates work on small budgets?
Affordable outdoor date suggestions include picnics in the park, hiking or biking local trails, checking out free community concerts and events, going wine tasting or fruit picking at nearby farms, and playing frisbee at a park.
How can we recreate meaningful past dates affordably?
To recreate sentimental dates from when you first started dating, reminisce over memories from early outings and come up with inexpensive ways to relive similar experiences. Return to the scene of the original restaurant or activity if possible or improvise with budget DIY alternatives.
What discounts should couples look for?
Happy hour specials at bars and restaurants can make for discounted date opportunities. Many museums, zoos, pools, and other local attractions also offer free admission or date nights certain days of the week or month. Groupons and entertainment discount apps like Goldstar can score you half priced events too.
Why focus more on saving money together?
Splurging more doesn’t equate stronger bonds or better dates. The most valuable investment is time spent interacting and engaging with each other, not dining expensively. Embracing cheap dates allows married couples to save money for other goals while still strengthening their marriage foundation.