Date Night on a Budget: 6 Romantic & Low-Key Date Ideas
Although a typical date usually involves flowers, restaurants, and expensive wine, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a romantic evening with your partner. If you are on a tight budget, you can still enjoy a fun date night with the one you love. These six romantic and low-key date ideas prove that date night is more fun when you use your creativity rather than your wallet to romance your soulmate. You can save money and make lasting memories when you plan casual dates on a budget.
Source:bbernard/Shutterstock.com
- Picnic
Planning a picnic is one of the most charming and low-cost date ideas available. Not only is the picnic itself free, but, depending on where you decide to have your picnic and what food you bring, you can change up the mood. Bring a picnic blanket to the park and lay it down beneath the trees for an idyllic evening in nature. Bring sandwiches, sparkling water, and fresh fruit for the two of you to enjoy as you share your time together. If you are lucky enough to live near a beach, lay your blanket on the sand and enjoy the ocean waves as you sip white wine and nosh on a chocolate croissant. For an urban-inspired setting, fill your picnic basket with an assortment of fancy desserts and head to your favorite spot in the city. Find a bench near your local art gallery or sit on the steps of a historic building to have your picnic.
- Town Tour
This inexpensive date night idea works whether you live in the country or the city. If you choose to do a walking tour, you don’t even have to spend money on gas! Although this date idea works with no preparation, you can up the excitement factor by doing a little bit of research on your town. Pick a few landmarks to visit and write down a handful of interesting facts. For a more intimate variation, plan to visit landmarks that hold special significance to you and your partner. They are sure to be impressed by the work you put in, and the two of you will make new memories of these interesting locations in your town.
Source: New Africa/Shutterstock.com
- At Home Restaurant
A tried and true low-budget date idea is to eat at home. To turn eating at home into a romantic date, however, you need to get a little creative. An excellent idea is to cater to your partner as if they are in an expensive restaurant. Make a little sign with your restaurant’s name. Come up with a special menu for the two of you to order from. Transform your table with candles, flowers, and a tablecloth. Play music in the background to set the mood.
It is up to you whether you want to cook before the date or if cooking together adds to the romance. Either way, taking the time to transform eating at home into a memorable and fun experience is sure to make your partner fall in love with you all over again. Date nights with children are challenging. If you can’t find a sitter, consider hiring them as your waitstaff. This is an adorable way to juggle parenting responsibilities with the necessity of romancing your partner.
- Drive-In Movie
Attending drive-in movies is a great lowkey romantic date night idea. Many cities still show drive-in movies in designated areas; however, you can create an even more intimate drive-in experience with some creativity. For this date night, create a lovely atmosphere by cleaning out the car and putting in a tropical air freshener. Then, buy some of your loved one’s favorite movie snacks. Make sure to bring a device to watch your movie on. A laptop, tablet, or phone will do perfectly; however, ensure that you download the movie if you’ll be parking the car somewhere without internet. Then, grab your loved one and drive to a romantic location, lie back and enjoy the movie with each other. You can also watch your movie in the driveway to save money on a babysitter for the kids. Just use your baby monitor.
Source: FOTOFILIA Maciej Pazera/Shutterstock.com
- Scavenger Hunt
An exciting and unique date night idea is to go on an adult scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts are so much fun to complete as children. Bringing this fun-loving energy to a date night is sure to bring out engaging, competitive energy. Print out a premade scavenger hunt online. For a more personal game, come up with your own items that mean something to you and your partner. To up the ante, play the game with another couple on a double date night. Create a group chat or post selfies of each target on social media. You are sure to meet fun people and see interesting things on your scavenger hunt that you can talk about for years.
- Karaoke in the Car
If you want to avoid loud bars and bad singing by people you don’t know, then bring the karaoke experience to your car. Singing karaoke is a lovely way to spend time with your partner. Whether you both sing beautifully or awfully, this date night idea is guaranteed to bring you closer together through music and laughter. Portable karaoke microphones are inexpensive and rechargeable, which makes them perfect to bring along in the car. All you need is your cell phone and the internet to look up karaoke songs. Definitely try out a duet with your partner to deepen your romantic bond. This date night is a super easy, low-key, and inexpensive idea that could just become an every-week event.
Get Ready for Your Date
These six easy, low-key and romantic date night ideas are wonderful for both your budget and your relationship. Anyone can pay for dinner and drinks, but planning a creative, fun date night shows your partner just how much you care about them. Building on these date night ideas is a good way to strengthen your romantic connection and make lasting memories.
