Date nights have often baffled me. With 4 young children and one income time out of the house often takes a back seat. How do all the experts who recommend date nights do it on a budget? Adding up the cost of a sitter ($10/hour), a movie ($30) and dinner out ($50) date nights are expensive, and not within reach of the average one income family. Along with the cost, it takes a ton of planning. It seems virtually impossible to get out the door without planning for several days or weeks ahead of time, and sometimes all that planning goes down the drain when the sitter cancels, or one of the kids get sick.
However, we can be thrifty and have a date night. My husband and I stay in and have a date night at least once a week.It doesn’t have to be planned, we just make time when we can. As partners we need to connect, to be reminded of why we’re together, and to stay connected to each other so we can work together as a team (so important when the kids outnumber the parents!). The dishes, the toys strewn on the floor, and the folding of laundry can all wait. After all it’s likely the chore list will be just the same tomorrow, so ignoring it for a few hours won’t hurt.
Here’s a list of 10 ideas I hope to use in the next few weeks. I’d love if you’d share your ideas in the comments, we’re always looking for fun things to do together at home.
10 Frugal Date At Home Ideas
- Rent a movie
- Make a special dessert to share
- Star gazing
- Bonfire in the backyard with s’mores
- Dinner by candlelight with the fancy dishes in the dining room
- Record a favorite show and watch it together (if you have different tastes, take turns)
- Play a board game
- Play video games
- Work on a DIY project together
- Turn off the tv, cell phones, and other distractions and just talk
What are your favorite cheap date night ideas?
Brittany
MyMoneyMess says
We’re empty nesters, so we don’t have to worry about baby sitters. We clip coupons for local restaurants and try to go out for a meal once a week. It’s usually at the place that has the best deal.
Another of my favorite things to do with my wife is just take a walk and talk. Makes me appreciate what a lucky guy I am.
Brittany says
I like that one also Nanette, and I know I have to make sure we are talking about dreams, goals and other fun or silly things not just the business of the family.
Brittany says
Agreed! Most important is to be together!
Brittany says
I love the idea of completing a project together and days are sometimes easier then getting a night sitter.
Brittany says
LOL!
Yes it is so important for keeping a marriage strong!
Great ideas. I think the last one is my favorite. I think so many of us just forget to talk to each other. 🙂
I enjoy bringing food or cooking (rarely), light the fireplace and candles, or picnic at the beach, visit museums, art galleries, or just take a walk. The objective is to be together doing something.
Brittany says
What a great idea Leticia to swap childcare!
Brittany says
It does cost a small fortune for Valentines Day, I prefer to get the fancy meal out on our anniversary when it is less busy, easier to find a sitter, and cheaper.
Lauren says
Great ideas Brittany!! Sometimes we like to have date “days” instead of nights, so we can drop Roo off at a friend’s house, and then do whatever we’d like to do. For us these days, working together on part of the house while we chat is great, and we feel good about what we accomplished too!!
Dawn Sandomeno says
Thanks for the ideas Brittany. We always do date night at home for V-DAY. I feel like I’m getting ripped off when I go out, takes the romance right out of it for me!
Those are great ideas especially since costs do really add up between the sitter and the date night activities! It’s also great to be able to have a good friend to swap childcare for couple time either at home or out on the town!
Anonymous says
Um, you missed the most important one… 😉
No, seriously, this is a great list. And you make a good point — you can reconnect at home {almost} as easily as you can by going out and it’s so important to keeping a marriage strong.