Budget date night ideas, help please!

[StephMK]

DH & I are finding ourselves with kid-free night this weekend. Sadly, it's been so long, I'm not sure what we should do. He mentioned the standard dinner/movie but there are no good movies at the cheap seats and I refuse to pay ticket prices at the regular place.

Finances are tight so we can't go too crazy! We used to love going to bars & listening to music but I wouldn't know which bands were good anymore.

TIA for any suggestions!!

 

[hsmamato2]

you could rent a dvd,bring home takeout,and snuggle on the couch while watching it....take a walk together somewhere nice(beach,waterfront) go out just for dessert somewhere.....one nice date we had was bringing a yummy pizza to the riverfront and having a picnic and relaxing walk together....

 

[burnurcomputer]

We have a casio near us that has live bands on the weekend and they have free soda. Maybe hit a casnio dining place then dance and drink some cola for free?

 

[worm761]

What about doing something like mini golf or go carts? Do you have that kind of stuff near you? And still open. LOL.... Bowling could be fun.

 

[dizluvah]

we have an almost 2 year old so we like to do things we can't/won't do with her; one of our best dates we went browsing at the bookstore, had a coffee and then went to IHOP for pancakes - cheap but we still had fun.

Just being able to talk to each other without interruption and not about the kiddos, cartoons, household finances or to-do's is awesome.

If it were me, I would stay home, have a cozy meal (home cooked or takeout) and watch a movie or have a game night together.

 

[danceintherain]

we have an almost 2 year old so we like to do things we can't/won't do with her; one of our best dates we went browsing at the bookstore, had a coffee and then went to IHOP for pancakes - cheap but we still had fun.

LOVE it! I can't wait to be able to do stuff like that again.

A few weeks ago, we put DS to bed and I made deep dish chocolate chip cookies. We borrowed a movie from the library, put the air mattress on the floor in front of the TV, and ate our cookies with ice cream while watching the movie.

 

[scootch]

We never just get alone time in our house.... so that is what we choose to do. We order take out from a restaurant that is fairly expensive but has large portions so we just get a big salad and a meal and split the meal... and we truly just enjoy being at home in peace and quiet.

 

[mrsklamc]

Check with your local convention and visitors bureau...get the visitor's guide like you were a tourist.

 

[cjnix29]

also have you checked out groupon or living social? May have some deals on something new you can try in your area....whatever you decide to do, have a great time!!!!

 

[ktrask]

Ditto Living Social and Groupon. You can also check your local paper/website for things going on over the weekend. You might be able to find an Oktoberfest...it is that time of year.

Pinterest is also a great place for cheap date night ideas.

 

[LovesTimone]

Any special place for you when you were dating?

DH and I have been on this diner craze, any good local diner's in your area? normally large portions at a great price, and their dessert are to die for, get one to share or take it home for a late night snack.

Here in Georgia, there are lots of parks with walking trails, with beautiful scenery. nice to hold hands and just walk and talk.

If your near the beach, pack a picnic, cheese, crackers, rolled meats, maybe a bottle of wine, eat and again walking and talking and hand holding. save the dessert for when you return to the car.

Check out groupon, they always have some fun things to do at a reduced price.

October fest or an art and crafts festival. you don't have to buy.. but it is fun to look.

Cooler weather in your area, head to the mall and people watch.

You could go to a nice trendy place and sit at the bar and just order appetizer's to share, and maybe a cocktail to go along with it. Then head over to a ice cream shop for dessert or back home and make dessert together.

Stay home and cook together, no TV just music, you could dance in the kitchen... eat on the floor picnic style...

Have a fun and romantic evening

 

[rigs32]

Finding your way through a corn maze or haunted house are fun without kids and not that pricey.

Take a drive to see the leaves.

In my area, we have lots of wineries which are so pretty this time of year.

 

[HayGan]

Another vote for Groupon or Living Social. We have tried so many new things/places in our area because of it! In fact we are using two vouchers this evening and used one last weekend at a comedy club.

 

[mrsklamc]

Are you willing to say where you are? Others might have ideas if you do. I could give lots of specific suggestions for the Indy area, for example, that might not work elsewhere.

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! We do like to watch a lot of movies after the kids go to bed & I work at home so I'm hoping to get out. I check groupon & daily living all the time but sadly, there have been zero restaurant deals in the last few days. It's a shame because there were some a few weeks ago but since we had no plans, we didn't jump on them.

We may go check out the casinos across the river. We've lived here almost 6 years and have never been. I told DH we aren't taking much but still might be fun to walk around, play some slots & check out the live bands tonight.

There is also a downtown area if we decide to walk around instead. We moved here after we'd been married awhile so no history but there are still lots of places we've never checked out.

 

[StephMK]

Are you willing to say where you are? Others might have ideas if you do. I could give lots of specific suggestions for the Indy area, for example, that might not work elsewhere.

I see that you are/were a Husker - we're in Omaha.

 

[GinaBean]

I am agree with the staying at home and enjoying the quiet. I work at a high school, and always have "extra" kids over. Any quiet I can get is great.

 

[irishsharon]

LOVE it! I can't wait to be able to do stuff like that again.

A few weeks ago, we put DS to bed and I made deep dish chocolate chip cookies. We borrowed a movie from the library, put the air mattress on the floor in front of the TV, and ate our cookies with ice cream while watching the movie.

OMG!!! my dh and I use to do that all the time with the air mattressWe would get our favorite take out watch a movie or play trivial pursuit.We just got a new air mattress.....maybe my sister can take the kids for a sleep over

 

[diamondpixienc]

DH and I will always do the quiet evening at home. Order some take out a bottle of wine or beer and just enjoy each other. Heck we have even opted for the drop the kiddos off at nannah's come straight home then shower and went to bed once. I mean that was a treat for us considering our days start at 4am each morning.