What makes a great marriage? There’s no single answer, and there’s certainly no perfect formula for keeping romance alive year after year.
Whether you’ve been married for one year or fifty, a strong relationship takes time, effort, and a genuine desire to keep connecting with each other. And sometimes, that connection starts with something as simple as planning a night together.
When life gets busy, date nights can easily fall to the bottom of the list. Work, family responsibilities, household tasks, and everyday routines can make it difficult to find time for each other. Before you know it, weeks have passed without doing something fun together.
That’s why making date night a priority can make such a difference. You don’t need an expensive dinner, an elaborate trip, or a special occasion to enjoy quality time with your spouse. Sometimes, the most memorable dates are the ones that are simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what you both enjoy.
The key is knowing what makes your spouse feel appreciated and choosing activities that give you an opportunity to relax, laugh, talk, and reconnect.
In this article, you’ll discover 43 romantic date night ideas for married couples, including creative options you can enjoy at home and fun ideas for getting out of the house. Whether you’re looking for something cozy and inexpensive or something a little more adventurous, there’s an idea here to help you plan your next date.
And don’t forget to download the free Date Night Bundle at the end of the article. It can make planning your time together easier and give you even more inspiration for keeping date nights fun and meaningful.
Let’s explore some date night ideas that can help you put quality time back on the calendar and create more opportunities to enjoy each other’s company.
Date
Ideas for Home
1. Have a Game Night
Game nights are vastly underrated when it comes to romantic date ideas. Honestly, they make so many games these days that you are bound to find one or two that suit you both!
Naughty games.
Strategic games.
Trivia games.
Artistic games.
Video games.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to selection. Heck, you can even kick it old school and play a game of Battleship or Stratego… if that’s what you’re into!
Check out some of the best board games for couples game nights.
2. Recreate the Drive-In Movie
Experience
There are companies that sell or rent supersized inflatable movie screens. Towns use them to host movies on the beach or in the park all the time.
Lucky for you, they don’t discriminate against
venues.
If you don’t want to go that route, maybe you
have a side of the house or garage door conducive to projecting your feature
film.
Then, simply park your car (or a blanket) in
front and cuddle up with a bowl of popcorn and a bucket filled with your
beverages of choice.
Have kids?
Why not kick it up a notch and have them bring
you your snacks to the car? You can even make them wear a little uniform to add
that extra touch of authenticity.
3. Plan a Getaway in the Backyard
Maybe you’ve had to put your vacation plans on
hold.
Or maybe you just desperately need a night or
two away from reality at your favorite B&B.
If it can’t actually happen for whatever
reason, that doesn’t mean you can’t do your very best to feel like it is.
Eat s’mores by the firepit, stargaze on a
blanket, soak in the hot tub with a bottle of wine, skinny dip in the pool
after dark… or just play a game of bocce.
4. Host a Virtual Happy Hour with
Friends
Whether you use video conference technology
for work or school, or to simply chat with friends and relatives far away… you’re likely familiar with at least one
platform.
Zoom. Skype. Facebook Messenger. Google
Hangouts. Facetime.
They all exist to make communication easier…
and highly interactive.
If you can’t get out to the bar, why not email
an invite to your friends to join you for a virtual happy hour?
Some chat rooms can accommodate upwards of 25
people at one time, which is likely more than you need for a romantic date
idea. A few other couples work just as well!
Keep it intimate and sit back for some
snacking, laughing and drinking… without ever leaving the comforts of home.
If you want to add a fancy element, pick a
place in your house to “stage” for the call.
Dress up the room like a cozy speakeasy or basement lounge bar… maybe a
rooftop terrace vibe?
You can even coordinate with your friends
ahead of time to recreate your favorite hangout in everybody’s house.
5. Stream a Live Concert
With so many people choosing to stay at home
these days, celebrity musicians have offered up their time and talent to stream
live concerts online.
Andrea Bocelli hosted a concert from Milan,
Italy a few weeks ago. The DropKick Murphys put on a St. Patrick’s Day party in
our living room just before that.
If this trend continues, you’ll find more and
more artists offering free or paid concerts in your home.
If you don’t like your current choices, there
are tons of classic concerts available for download.
6. Learn a New Skill, or Explore
a New Hobby
Ever think about taking up photography? Art?
Computer coding? The piano?
Finding a new hobby can be extremely
rewarding… and doing it with your spouse can make for a perfect romantic date
idea.
There are tons of books and online resources to help you get the
information you need to get started on your next adventure!
7. Turn Your Living Room Into a
Cafe
Have you been longing for your favorite cup of
coffee or herbal tea from that little cafe downtown? Do you miss their scones?
How about the girl playing acoustic guitar in
the corner, while you sit reading your favorite magazine in an oversized chair?
Or maybe you are feeling nostalgic about the
cafe you and your wife had your first date at.
It is possible to capture the ambience of your
sweet spot at home… simply by making a few alterations to a living space.
You can probably find a recipe similar to the one you’re craving online, or you can check out the cafe’s website directly under the ingredient list.
Then, contemplate buying inexpensive
slipcovers online to spruce up an old loveseat or chair.
If neither of you is particularly musical, try playing some old records or streaming Pandora in the background.
All that’s left now is to adjust the lighting,
put your feet up and read through that stack of magazines together.
8. Play a Game of Twenty
Questions
When was the last time the two of you sat down
and simply talked about each other. Not about the kids, or problems at work,
stresses or insecurities… but each other.
Your hopes? Your fears? Your dreams for the
future?
And what about the past? Do you really know
everything there is to know about one another?
Like, what was their favorite food as a kid?
Who was their role model? Their first kiss?
If you can’t come up with enough questions on
your own, give this article a read.
You can also try spicing things up a bit with a game of Truth or Dare… or your own version of The Newlywed Game, where you can quiz your partner on how well they think they know you. For every answer they get right, you lose an article of clothing. If they get it wrong, it’s their turn to drop their shorts!
Check this list of would you rather questions for couples to liven up the date night.
9. Download a Good Ol’ Fashioned
Radio Program
Back in the day, before there were
televisions, people would actually spend hours sitting around as a family…
listening to their favorite radio show.
Comedy. Mystery. Drama. Thrillers.
Who remembers The War of the Worlds by Orsen
Wells? People actually panicked thinking the martians were really invading!
Technology has come a long way since then… and
while most of us wouldn’t be keen on trading our big screens for the talkie on
a permanent basis, it can certainly be fun once in a while to take a trip down
memory lane.
And thanks to that same technology… many of
the old programs can be downloaded straight to your smartphone, tablet
or laptop.
10. Go Camping in Your Living Room
So maybe your yard isn’t conducive to a
campout, or perhaps the weather isn’t cooperating… maybe you just don’t like
camping outside.
Enter the concept of indoor camping.
Set up a tent in the living room or den. Grab
your sleeping bags and a comfy pillow.
If you have a fireplace, plan to roast
marshamellows or cook hot dogs on a stick.
Pack yourself a good book to read and download
a “sounds of nature” track to your media device.
It can be the perfect indoor getaway.
11. Have Fun With an At-Home
Photobooth
Bust out the camera, old Halloween costumes
and kids’ toys and get ready to have the ultimate at home photobooth date!
Whether you’re 4 or 40, playing dress-up can be
loads of fun… and taking pictures of it is a great way of capturing the laughs
for years to come!
Add a little more authenticity by shopping
your local dollar store or amazon for props to make a variety of backdrops.
12. Have a Dining Room Tasting
Party
Wine and cheese.
Chocolate and fruit.
Beer.
Tapas.
Nobody said you had to head over to a
vineyard, brewery or fancy restaurant to experience a palate-pleasing culinary
tour de force!
Come up with a menu together ahead of time and
do some online shopping for ingredients.
When date night rolls around, set aside some
time to prepare everything… then go throw on something nice to wear and meet
each other back in your room of choice to taste the fruits of your labor!
13. Serve Breakfast for Dinner… in
Bed
Breakfast for dinner is a hit in my home, especially
with the kids!
But when you’re looking to incorporate some
romance into the mix, sans children, serving each other breakfast in bed… at
night… is the way to go!
Get yourself two trays and comfy robes, if you
don’t already have them. Then, start looking up recipes to get your mouths
watering.
Or, if you prefer to relax, you can always
order takeout or delivery from your local diner.
If you’re looking for some post “dinner” activities… put on sexy underwear and have a couples game ready on the nightstand.
Looking for something a little more low key?
How about giving each other a foot massage while taking turns reading from a
book to one another.
14. Take a cooking class
Wouldn’t it be romantic if you could make
amazing restaurant quality dinners at home?
Look for cooking classes you and your spouse can attend together.
Well, eat this up!
Cooking classes.
They are a delicious way to spend an evening
with your spouse, and also great for steering the conversation away from the
everyday stuff.
Today, many top quality chefs offer access to
their amazing recipes via online courses. Some are paid, some are free. Neither will break the bank.
15. Cook your spouse a
candlelight dinner.
It’s time to put those cooking lessons to the
test.
That or maybe there’s an old family recipe
you’ve been wanting to try?
Or maybe you’ve always been a good cook, but
never have time anymore to play around in the kitchen?
Either way, what better guinea pig than your
beloved?
Add some candlelight and fancy dishware to the
mix, and this is easily one of the top date ideas at home.
16. Schedule an in-home couples
massage.
Massages aren’t reserved just for the day spa
anymore.
In-home massages have been growing in
popularity, largely in part to their convenience, and can even be scheduled
online these days.
They are a great way to make date ideas at
home feel like a real escape.
17. Set up a photo shoot.
Life is hectic.
It’s easy to get caught up in your day, lose
track of time.
The things you once stopped to look at… the
moments you so desperately wanted to capture… have slowly been replaced with
pictures of your kids (or nieces and nephews), funny YouTube videos or texts.
Why not change this? Even if just for a night.
As one of your next date ideas at home, why
not play photographer?
Take pictures of:
- each other
- rooms in your house
- your favorite places
- other couples
Capture your life… as it is… at this
moment.
Perfect, not perfect, real.
Then have your date night photos printed and start an album… or put them in frames.
You’ll look back on it one day and be glad you
did.
18. Hire a personal sommelier.
Companies such as The Wine Lovers, actually specialize in private wine tasting parties.
It’s one of the wonderfully dangerous date
ideas at home.
Whether it’s just the two of you, or with
another couple, it’s guaranteed to be a relaxing and fun evening for all
involved.
Check this out: have the other participants
bring different dishes to pair with the wines!
19. Order take out from your
favorite restaurant.
This one could be on both the cheap date ideas
and dates ideas at home list… in fact, a few of my ideas could be considered
crossover events.
Even some of the romantic date ideas.
Still, sometimes there is nothing better than
eating your favorite foods in your comfiest lounge pants.
Add your favorite beverages, actual plates and
light a few scented candles… and you’re all set.
There’s nobody to impress but each other in
your cozy little bubble.
20. Watch your wedding video.
Why not give Netflix or Redbox the night off
and look to your home videos collection for inspiration?
Surprise your spouse with a screening of your wedding video.
While this is one of the simplest date ideas at home to pull off, it can also be crazy romantic if you play your cards right.
Surprise her or him with a screening of your wedding video.
Clever cat tip: grab another DVD out of its
case and replace it with yours. It will look like you’re watching Star Wars…
again… right up until you pop the disk in.
Be sure to have a bottle of champagne chilled
for a toast…
And if you want brownie points for super duper
creativity, have a piece of replica wedding cake ready to eat towards the end
of the video.
But don’t go overboard… the same flavor cake
will do just fine.
What you really want is to reminisce and enjoy
watching the start of your journey together unfold… again.
Oh, and if by some chance your wedding was captured on VHS instead of a digital format, there are services out there that will transfer them for a fee.
There are also kits available if you want to take a shot at doing it yourself from your computer.
21. Turn each other into a work
of art.
You’re adults.
You’re married.
You’ve seen each other naked.
I hope.
So drop your pants… and your inhibitions…
and get playful.
One of our naughtier date ideas at home, there
are tons of products available to help with a little R-rated romance:
- Body paint
- Lickable body oils
- Tattoos
- Edible underwear
- Tassels
- Sexy lingerie
Whatever you do, have fun with it.
And if shopping in public for these items is more than you can handle, there are plenty of online boutiques like The Lingerie Diva or Adam & Eve.
22. Role play.
Ok, your head may be in the gutter after that
last date ideas at home contribution.
Sorry.
I want to offer something for everyone.
Besides…
what may not be your thing now, may turn out
to be.
You never know.
We were created to evolve.
So, let’s get back to it.
The morning of your date, leave an invitation
for your spouse to a role playing party or event.
Put it in an envelope. Make it look official.
Inside, simply include:
- The event title
- The time
- The place
- Your wife’s (or husband’s) character name and description
Here’s a fun little example,
“You’re invited to dinner at the White House”
Time: 7:30pm
Place: 1970s Washington, DC
Character: Sara, a newspaper reporter for the
Washington Post. Wears bright red lipstick and glasses
Start your role play date by giving your spouse an official-looking envelope.
Don’t forget to include a note on the bottom
to dress accordingly.
And that’s it.
Get into character and get ready for a night
where anything goes. Nothing is off
limits with the imagination.
23. Dance to your old records.
Get ready to cut loose… Footloose… kick off those Sunday shoes.
Geek
alert.
Admit it though, you can’t help but tap your
feet whenever that Loggins tune comes on the radio.
Don’t
lie.
It’s okay.
But I digress.
We’re
at the end.
Dance makes people happy. Plain and simple.
Even if you’re bad at it, if you’re with the
right person, it feels great.
Slow dances, fast dances, line dances, break
dances… I’ll take them all for a mood boost, especially when it comes to simple
and cheap date ideas at home.
I personally prefer to bust out the ol’ LP
collection, there’s just something nostalgic and freeing about it.
But not everybody has one.
Some people still have CDs… others went all
digital.
Maybe you have an old 8-track or cassette
player tucked away someplace… an old mix tape perhaps?
Whatever you got, cue it up and get your sexy
on.
Dance like nobody, except your spouse, is
watching.
24. Skype with each other from
different rooms in the house.
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, some
married couples may not be missing each other quite enough.
Unless your spouse travels a lot for business,
or works entirely different hours than you, chances are you at least see each
other every day for a couple of hours.
And that is wonderful.
But wouldn’t it also be wonderful if you knew
what it felt like to really miss them for just one night?
In an age of Skype, Messenger, WhatsApp…
couples can stay in touch even with an ocean between them. They can see each
other as if they were sitting in the same room.
They can talk dirty.
Yes, I
may have a problem.
But
hear me out.
A perfect way to keep things exciting and fresh, and an A+ worthy selection for date ideas at home, is to simply vanish to a different room for the night.
Maybe one of you sleeps in the guest room? The
sofa? The office?
It doesn’t matter.
Just separate.
Then dial each other up for a video chat
before bed.
And again in the morning.
If you really want to make it interesting, you
can try and avoid each other the entire day leading up to the chat date.
Pretend as if you really are on a business trip.
Whatever
works for you.
Date
Ideas for Outside the Home
25. Dinner at a restaurant that requires
reservations weeks, or more, in advance.
9 times out of 10, if a “special occasion”
restaurant is any good, you’ll need a reservation. And getting one may require
a bit of patience on your part.
Patience.
There’s that word I mentioned in the very
beginning of the article.
Try taking your spouse to a fancy restaurant that requires reservations.
It’s key in a marriage.
It’s also key when coming up with romantic
date ideas.
Often, you can call the restaurant directly to
make a reservation. That or visit a website like OpenTable.
You can even make special requests there.
26. A horse-drawn carriage ride.
If you quickly search online, you can find companies in your area. I even read some reviews.
The best companies often offer a variety of “special touches,” such as a blanket on a brisk day or a champagne toast.
Bonus: it’s a great way to see a new city.
Charleston, SC, in particular, offers these
carriage rides through the old part of the city… and the drivers know their
stuff! Private tours start at just $150.
27. Go to a drive-in movie.
This one could also be seen as an inexpensive, cheap date idea, but romantic nonetheless.
Man. Woman. Alone in a car.
Sensor
me now before I say something naughty.
28. Schedule a private tasting at
a local vineyard.
Many vineyards are happy to accommodate couples who’d like to spice things up with a private tasting. They may even offer pairing plates (tapas style), which is excellent for before or after dinner.
29. Go to the opera.
Before you make that face… if you haven’t been
to the opera yet, you are depriving yourselves of a unique cultural experience.
Trust
me on this.
The opera has been around for centuries for a
reason. It began in Italy, and soon
spread like wildfire through the rest of Europe.
Hint: If you want to impress your spouse, tell them a bit about the opera’s origins.
Contrary to popular belief, the opera isn’t
just fat ladies singing… although they do.
No
offense.
Their voices are angelic.
And that is a good thing because opera is a story put almost entirely to music… much like musical theatre. The big difference is that opera performers sing everything, while theatre performers mix it up with a combination of speech and song.
Now you’re ready to answer that jeopardy
question!
You’re
welcome.
All
kidding aside…
Pick a story you’d be interested in, dress up in formal attire, and give it a whirl. You may be pleasantly surprised.
30. Take a walk through a
botanical garden.
How long could this possibly take? If you’ve
seen one pretty flower, you’ve seen them all… right?
Wrong!
Top-notch botanical gardens are blooming all over the world. They are picturesque, fragrant, and peaceful. In my humble opinion, they are one of the best romantic date ideas.
Enjoy a romantic date while appreciating the picturesque, fragrant and peaceful atmosphere of a botanical garden.
Well,
unless you’re allergic to flowers… then you might want to ix-nay the
arden-gay.
But if you’re “Claritin clear”, or just fine
around flowers, play hookey and check one of these out on a weekday
afternoon.
Tip:
weekends at a botanical garden tend to get very crowded and are often crawling
with kids.
And if you’re married with kids… on a date
trying to escape said kids… you may want to avoid this.
I’ve been to Keukenhof in Holland and Gardens of the World in Berlin… and was never bored.
If you ever get to Berlin, be sure to check out the romantic cableway ride up the flower-covered mountainside. It’s perfect for hand holding and lower lip nibbling.
31. Try out a self-defense or
martial arts class.
Let’s
be honest…
There are times you want just to slap your husband upside the head. Or pull their ear.
I mean, you don’t do it… but I’m certain most every husband in the world has pictured himself pulling a Ralph from The Honeymooners once or twice.
No?
Don’t judge me.
It’s the truth.
Marriage cannot be all sunshine and roses… so
why should a date be?
Instead of a quiet dinner, why not try a local self defence or martial arts class?
It’s a perfectly sane and acceptable way to let that pent-up aggression fly, and it can also be excellent foreplay.
Shhhh.
We have kids for goodness sake.
Go online and search for self-defense or martial arts schools in your area. If you prefer to practice at home, Udemy offers online courses in all facets of self-defense.
Me… I prefer to get out whenever I can!
To quote my son’s self-defense instructor, Master
Mohamed Elshikh, “You can build an amazing life if you build it on a solid foundation.”
If that doesn’t sum up marriage, I don’t know
what does.
32. Catch a live sporting event.
If you’re a lucky
guy like my husband is {wink, smile}… your wife likes sports.
If she doesn’t,
it’s still ok. This date can work for you!
Sporting events are
loud and exciting.
There is often
alcohol involved.
One romantic date option for couples who are also sports fans is to attend live sporting events.
Screaming is
permitted… and encouraged!
Cheers! Jeers! Ups!
Downs!
It’s an emotional
rollercoaster, especially if the team or athlete you’re rooting for is behind.
Solidarity!
Coming together in a venue like this is an ideal way to release some of your displaced emotions… and you’ll feel much more relaxed afterward!
And who knows, you
may even become a fanatic… if you’re not already!
33. Try white water rafting or
kayaking.
Let’s
face it…
Marriage, at times, can push a couple’s
limits. Not only does it test us, but
it will try and break us.
We can’t let it.
If you try focusing that negative energy instead on something physically and emotionally challenging… it may work wonders.
Perhaps you’re in a romantic slump?
Perhaps you’re having money troubles (the bain
of most married couples existence).
We’ve
all been there.
Instead of letting anxiety consume you, why not meet it head-on? Go ahead and face something bigger than your problems… like class III rapids!
Maybe class III is too easy. Maybe it’s too hard.
Maybe it’s just what you need to get your mind
off things.
You’ll
figure it out.
Just like you’ll figure your problems out if you work together.
Marriage takes teamwork.
Once you conquer those rapids, you’ll likely scoff at your other worries. You’ll realize what matters.
You can
do anything.
Together.
34. Go sculpt or paint something.
So if you’ve seen the movie Ghost, you’re familiar with the romantic scene in which Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore sit together at a pottery wheel.
Kissing ensues.
The would-be vase or whatever Moore is making
is forgotten.
Love takes over.
Cue one
of the best romantic date ideas.
Sure, you’ll likely have to keep your clothes
on if you’re in a public studio space… arrests don’t exactly scream romance!
But just imagine the possibilities that come
from creating beautiful art together.
Plus, you’ll have a souvenir of the evening to
take home with you… which can serve as a nice reminder when you’re having a
rough day.
You can find local studios in your area with a quick Google search. Many of them even offer BYOB nights, which are great for couples looking for unique and romantic date ideas.
35. Visit a museum.
Museums aren’t just filled with paintings and
sculptures.
Today, we have museums dedicated to:
- Film and television
- Aviation
- Legos
- Science
- Immigrants
- Historical events
- Sports
- Space
To name just a few.
Chances are, if you’re interested in
something, there’s a museum for it.
And
here’s the best part…
Museums are often inexpensive, if not
free! Making them one of the best cheap
date ideas for couples on a budget.
Or anyone who’s frugal and likes culture,
really.
Also, many museums offer memberships and
season passes, which make it an even better value. Some passes include multiple
museums.
There are tons of websites
that allow you to search for inexpensive or free tours, events, places,
etc…. Just type in your location and
go!
36. Have a picnic on the beach.
Restaurants are not your only option for fine
dining.
What if I were to tell you there was a place
where they only served your favorite foods… and that the view from your seat
was always unobstructed?
No tipping is required.
There are never any waits.
The dress code is casual.
It’s called a picnic.
One of the all-time favorite cheap romantic date ideas… the beach picnic.
And it’s one of my all-time favorite cheap
date ideas… especially if it’s on the beach.
But
maybe your husband is more of a woodsman?
Or maybe
lakes float your wife’s boat?
Waterfalls are always great for ambient
background noise.
It really doesn’t matter where you end up,
just that you end up together.
Ahhh,
peace and quiet.
Hint: make picnics a regular thing and take
turns picking the venue.
37. Find a curbside joint to grab
lunch at.
One of the best ways to eat out inexpensively is to skip the traditional restaurant scene and try dining curb-side instead.
Park
your inhibitions at the door…
Turn off that voice inside your head that
doesn’t want to make a mess in the car…
They
have these places called car washes now.
They
vacuum too.
Just sit back, relax and enjoy that burger and
shake that your diet wouldn’t approve of… in the comfort and privacy of your
own car.
No
judgements here.
38. Go camping.
Regarding cheap date ideas, it doesn’t get much less expensive than camping.
You typically pay to reserve a site… and
that’s about it.
There may be additional fees if you rent fishing or hunting equipment, mountain bikes, kayaks, etc.… but that’s entirely up to you.
Money
saving tips:
- Camp in your tent instead of renting a cabin
- Reserve a site that is a bit further away from the action
- Bring your fishing poles (you may only need to buy a license, which is relatively cheap)
- Invest in a roof or bike rack so you can bring your own stuff
39. Create a scavenger hunt.
Chances are, you were pretty creative when you
first started dating your spouse.
And that creativity doesn’t just disappear…
but it will fade over time if you don’t use it.
Be
creative!
One of the most fun and cheap date ideas is to
take your spouse on scavenger hunt.
One of the most fun and cheap date ideas is to take your spouse on scavenger hunt.
Create clues that will transport you back to a
time or place that means something to you as a couple, like:
- The spot where you had your first date
- The park where you shared your first kiss
- The B&B you spent your first getaway at
- The place you proposed
- The first apartment you shared together
Whether it’s just for a couple of hours, or an
all day affair, your spouse will love the effort you put into the hunt… and
will likely chase you down later for a proper thank you.
40. Check out an amateur comedy
club.
They say laughter is the best medicine.
And that the best comedians are often the ones
who can make themselves relatable to their audience.
With a little research, you can easily find a
comedian whose material speaks to you personally.
Love, marriage, children, dating, sex.
There’s a joke (or two, or three) for all of it… and a brilliant comedian to
deliver it.
Amateur comedy clubs exist to give aspiring
comedians their shot at the big time. They want to fill their seats every show.
And you can profit from this with fairly
inexpensive ticket prices… making this one of the better cheap date ideas.
41. Take your spouse on a tour of
your alma mater.
Ever find yourself surprisingly free on a
Saturday afternoon?
At a loss for what to do with yourself?
Well, look no further than your sweatshirt
drawer and take your spouse for a tour of your alma mater.
If it’s a comfortable car ride away, you may have just won the cheap date ideas
lottery!
Put on that ratty old sweatshirt, grab some
music for the trip, and hit the road.
Maybe take a spontaneous detour on the way?
You can get a quick bite to eat at one of those hidden gems seen on Diners Drive-ins and Dives.
When you do arrive at your destination, give
your spouse the unofficial tour. Show him all of the things and places that
made it special for you.
After all, there’s nothing like a walk down
memory lane to help you better appreciate the path you’re currently on.
42. Enter a fun race together.
I may be going out on a limb here…
But you may not be as fit and trim as you were
when you first met your spouse.
Am I
wrong?
Don’t feel bad.
My husband calls it the “old brown shoe”
syndrome.
And
trust me when I say this, I wasn’t thrilled with the
analogy when he first used it to describe me…
But when he explained, it made sense.
Once you’ve gotten so comfortable with someone,
you tend to let certain things go.
Recruit your spouse as your partner and make a date out of entering a fun race together.
It’s
completely normal.
When you’re married, certain things take
priority over the name brand clothes and makeup… joining a gym… buying all
organic foods.
Especially
if you have kids.
Shopping at a big box store matters.
Their piano lessons matter.
Gymnastics class matters.
You tell yourself that throwing your hair into
a ponytail and wearing yoga pants to pick up the kids from school is ok…
because you couldn’t be late and didn’t have time to shower after your 20
minute jog.
You let yourself off the hook for eating
McDonalds because you didn’t have time to make dinner in between running one
kid home from the soccer field and another to swim lessons.
Sure, I would like to lose a few pounds.
Most of the married couples I know would.
But it’s not easy, especially if you try and
lose it on your own.
So don’t.
- Recruit your spouse as your partner and make a date out of it
- Go for a walk, jog, or bike ride together — at least 2-3 times per week, for 30 minutes
- Research a fun race
- Pay the entry fee online
- Put the race on your calendar
Win the
race!
Ok,
maybe that’s a stretch…
Finish
the race!
Better?
Just commit to it and do it.
Note to self: if you absolutely must, this can be a “family date” activity.
Of all the cheap date ideas I’ve offered, this
may be the one you’ll thank me for most.
If you don’t believe me, look in the mirror when it’s all over… then go buy yourself a pair of more petite jeans.
43. Volunteer at a soup kitchen
or nursing home.
Helping the less fortunate is one of the most effective ways to appreciate your life and the people in it.
That is why this idea was included in the list of romantic date ideas.
I like to think of myself as a compassionate
person.
A grateful person.
But I’m
human.
Sometimes I think that my problems or concerns are just as valid as other people’s… maybe even more.
There are times I feel there aren’t enough
hours in my day to lend a hand to someone else.
There are times I yearn for a break from
reality.
Am I
selfish?
No.
I’m married. And I’m a mom.
I have genuine feelings that sometimes make me
angry, sad, stressed or confused…
Alone.
But then I look around.
I watch or read the news…
And I feel lucky.
I have a partner to share my life with, family
and friends to help along the way.
Not everybody has that.
So why not make it a point to trade in one of your traditional date nights (every now and again) for a meaningful one? VolunteerMatch is a great resource to get your started.
As the Dalai Lama said, “…the very motion of
our life is towards happiness.”
Change starts with you.
At the end of the day, marriage is a garden
that needs constant tending too. And making time for dates is like watering the
garden.
My husband used to tease that all people are
on their best behavior in the beginning of a relationship.
That they are more attentive early on because
they are trying to win someone’s affections… almost like a game.
Marriage
is the trophy.
And while he said this very tongue and cheek, nearly ten years later, I do see some truth in it.
Our relationship has changed.
As it should.
We are not just a couple any longer, we are
parents.
Our dating led to marriage. Our marriage led
to four beautiful, healthy and loving children.
And those children have changed us forever.
Maybe
you don’t have kids yet… maybe you don’t want to.
But
marriage has still changed you.
You have another person’s opinions and
feelings and future to consider now.
You need to be considerate.
Free Download: Date Night Bundle
The Date Night Bundle includes helpful printable resources to make planning quality time with your spouse easier and more enjoyable. Use it to come up with new ideas, organize your plans, and make date night something you both look forward to.
Download your free bundle and start planning your next memorable date together.
(The link opens up a Google Drive folder where you can get the PDF download in a variety of sizes: A4 and US Letter.)
So let’s review…
In this blog, I have outlined 43 romantic date
night ideas for married couples at home or outside.
There is something for everyone… regardless
of how much space you have or how big your budget is.
Regardless of which option (or options) you
choose… all that really matters is that you’re making time for one
another.
Remember that.
Get
into the habit of making time for one another.
As often as you can.
Dates are like reset buttons in a marriage,
and can often make all right in the world again with the simplest of gestures.
There is no correlation between how much you
spend on a date – and how good that date will be.
All that matters is you are, say it with me, considerate.
Thoughtful.
Attentive.
Just like the old days.
Now go have fun, you crazy kids!
If you’re looking for more date ideas, here are some fun things couples can do at home.
Finally, if you’re looking for something more, here are the best books on marriage that can give you advice beyond date nights.
Nicole Krause has been writing both personally and professionally for over 20 years. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Film Studies. Her work has appeared in some of the country’s top publications, major news outlets, online publications, and blogs. As a happily married (and extremely busy) mother of four… her articles primarily focus on parenting, marriage, family, finance, organization, and product reviews.
