Perhaps I shouldn’t advertise that I’m a pretty cheap date. But it’s true. Anything that starts with b and ends in ‘eer’ will get me to the table. You can get a second date at the slightest suggestion of ice cream. And yes, I do believe Mr. Beardpants secured me as his full-time live-in lady over several days worth of apple pie for breakfast.
I bore easily. Even with ample nourishment and internet access to zombie shows. And despite having a house full of books, craft projects and other forms of entertainment, I’m always nagging suggesting that we go out and do something new. Mr. Beardpants and I have spent an excessive a lot of time together, in particular, over the last year where we have been living and working together. And I think it’s important in any relationship to try and switch things up or at the very least move the conversation away from work. Those of you who work with your significant other will know what I’m talking about. If you spend most of your meals making fun of your boss or plotting the next days enormous load of overwork…than it’s time to start picking away at this list of 50 Cheap Dates.
Quite a few of these suggestions are date ideas we’ve put into action and some are dates I’m hoping to stroll out of my house for soon (hint: Mr. Beardpants! I know you’re reading. And Mwah..i loves ya). And I’ve included a number of date ideas that you can do at home. These will be particularly good for couples with kids who can’t secure a babysitter, have stretched the budget already to the limit and/or have started to forget that they have names other than Mom and Dad.
1. Check out a local museum. (Some even have a free day or regular free evening.)
2. Pack a picnic and go for a long bike ride.
3. Settle in for a themed movie marathon. My preference would be the entire Die Hard series with ample servings of popcorn and shoutings of yippee-ki-yay-mother-***bleep.
4. Search online or through some cookbooks scored at the library and try out a new recipe together.
5. Plan a board game night and invite some losers…ahem, I meant other players…to join. And remember…nobody likes a loser.
6. Create a picnic in your own backyard. Complete with candles and intoxicating bug spray.
7. Go for a night of browsing and tea drinking in your local bookstore.
8. Do a tour of local vintage/junk shops.
9. Go treasure hunting through Saturday morning garage sales. Don’t forget the coffee and junk wish list!
10. Play tourist in a nearby town. (Millbrook…I hear you have a good bakery and I’m coming to see you).
11. Check out your local art gallery or search for an artists cooperative
12. Create a mini map or brochure and do a walking tour of local attractions.
13. Rent a canoe. (You know what they say…the paddle test is the ultimate relationship tester. And if you can manage a strenuous portage without fighting…I think you’re gonna be just fine).
14. Go to the library and select a book for each other.
15. Grab a deck of cards or a chess board and head to your favourite pub or coffee shop.
16. Take $5 each to a local thrift store and buy a surprise for your partner.
17. Visit a local winery or farm.
18. Buy some inexpensive art supplies and create a masterpiece together.
19. Take a stroll through your local farmer’s market and plan a ‘local’ meal.
20. Grab your camera and head out for a photography hike.
21. Plan a mini one night escape and stay at a local campsite
22. Borrow some fishing gear and head to a local fishing spot.
23. Plan and build a piece of furniture together.
24. Find a local festival.
25. Attend a matinee.
26. Check out a local band.
27. Go indoor rock climbing
28. Plan and create a chocolate tasting night
29. Make homemade bread together (than stand around looking smug while stuffing your faces with fresh bread smothered in butter. Trust me, the smugness is necessary)
30. Go for a late night full moon hike or snowshoe. ( complete this by packing a beer or two, some wine and/or a thermos full of your favourite hot beverage.)
31. Plan an at-home fondue night (nothing saves love like swiss cheese)
32. Serve up some breakfast in bed.
33. Create a fort in your living room and tuck in for a movie with s’mores.
34. Make ice cream sundaes.
35. Go for a swim. Pool. Lake. River. Puddle. You choose.
36. Volunteer at a local event or for a local organization together.
37. Visit your local zoo
38. Bowling. If only for the ridiculous shoes.
39. Create a city wide treasure hunt
40. Mix margharitas and hang a hammock.
41. Go house hunting. (and my preference…pretend you can afford a house!).
42. Make finger foods, light some candles, set up some comfy cushions and snuggle in to read.
43. Try some lessons together.
44. Create an at home spa night (there is likely no man on earth who wants to actually do this by the way. But there’s always hope).
45. Write a bucket list together.
46. Plan a fantasy vacation or plan a realistic super low budget awesome adventure.
47. Train for a race together or run in a local fundraiser.
48. Check out some local theatre (last year we brought a picnic to a Shakespeare in the park performance).
49. Visit a local bakery.
50. Nothing saves lovin’ like mini putt.
Let It Unravel 