Creative Date Ideas for Lovebirds, on a Budget

As Dean and I approach our wedding day (13 months!!! Aaaahhhhh) I've been thinking a lot about ways to keep things fresh and how to keep "dating" your spouse. I've done some research and have come up with several date ideas for ALL couples, but especially those on a budget. Making memories and enjoying time with the one you love shouldn't have to burn a hole in the ole pocket book. The most special thing you can give someone is your heart, your devotion and your time. So, with that being said...let's get creative and let's get down with some QT (quality time)!  

1. 

Can of Dates can be purchased on etsy OR you can make it yourself. Fill a jar or a can full of lots of creative date ideas (like maybe the ones you read on this blog) then pull out a random selection! Ooh la la, what could it be? A romantic dinner or a bowling bonanza? It's a win win because no matter what, the two of you will be together! 

2. A Fun couple's photoshoot! Go to the dollar store and pick up some funny props like silly hats, mustaches, glitter masks and boas! Set the timer and start having a blast with your homemade photo booth. Of course if you're a couple with a wild side...grrrr...then maybe some role playing and a sexy budoir photo sesh is in order! 

3. Visit local flea markets and find cool treasures together! Try on vintage outfits, admire beautiful pieces of furniture or pick a unique item to buy together. Maybe you two could buy something that needs some TLC or refurbishing and make that a project to do together. The options are endless!

4. Have some friendly competition at a local coffee shop! Grab a game board, a deck of cards, some dominos (I personally love Mexican Train) or Yahtzee and go at it! Nothing like some friendly competition to get some flirtation going! Ready, set...Go!

5. Outdoor movie screening. What's better than snuggling up with your sweetheart on a blanket under the stars watching a fantastic flick?! 

6. Spend a day volunteering together! Do some good for your community with your special someone by helping at your local animal shelter, homeless shelter, boys&girls club, etc. Helping others is one of the most fulfilling things you can do on your own but doing good with the one you love is priceless. Now THAT'S a real "power couple!"

7. Have a picnic in the park! Pack up a basket of goodies and enjoy a beautiful day!

8. Do something active like:

Hiking

Bowling 

Pool

Darts 

Fishing

Roller skating

Biking

Swimming 

Playtime with your furry babies

9. For creative and artsy types:

Pottery class

Cooking class

Local concerts

Art gallery

10. Bathroom spa! Candles, bubbles, soothing scents, soft music...you get the drift ;-)

11. Themed movie night! Pick a movie and make a dinner together to match! For example, let's say you two want to watch "Casino." Make an italian feast together and enjoy the film. Capeesh?!

12. Take a dance class or a fitness class together. Get sweaty. Get close. Get sexy!

13. "Sweetest Memories" is what I like to call lucky #13. First, grab a jar and sit it where you'll both see it daily. At the end of every day, each of you write down a favorite moment. At the end of the month, put on some dapper duds, brush your sassy face on, make a delicious desert together and read all of the things you placed in the jar. Hence, the name "sweetest memories." 

14. A couples massage is great way to relax and recharge together. If that is out of your budget, then grab some oil, set the tone and play masseuse for each other!

15. Go get a pedicure together! It feels great and it doesn't cost a lot of money.

16. Hit up a casino! You can usually catch some free live music and people watching is always free! lol of course if pulling a slot machine or throwing some craps is up your alley and in your budget, may Lady Luck be on your side!

17. The "Malt Shop date," is a fun option for couples with a sweet tooth! Grab some ice cream, make some brownies and assemble your own sundaes! If milkshakes or smoothies are more your style, you can do that too!

18. Cooking together is always fun! Make a homemade pizza or get fancy with some more complicated dishes.

19. Get creative and write a short story, a poem or a song together. Painting, drawing and crafting are all hands on activities that are great to do as a pair as well.

20. Have a jam sesh! Dean and I love to sing song songs together in the car or acoustically at home. Music is the perfect way to bond!

21. Last but certainly not least is one that doesn't cost a dime and it's something that is a necessity for a healthy marriage. It's pretty simple...have sex, make love, just do it! Never underestimate the impact of human touch, especially when it's coming from your soulmate. 

Now, get to planning your next date with your babe and enjoy every moment because every minute you spend with your love is one to be treasured! 

::Here's some of our recent dates::

Having some delicious shaved ice! It's perfect for a hot day!

Relaxing poolside is always a good time!

Bowling at a casino! We also caught some live music, played one slot machine & grabbed a snack! 

Playing with our pups & taking them for walks and to the park!

We were working on a home project when found some wigs and got silly!

Dean loves photography so he has become my personal photog! We can work on projects together for fun or for work and it's always a great way to connect with the things we are passionate about. Our favorite things involve music either with a jam session or recording a song in our home studio.

Going OUT for dinner! I know it's not on the list, but it's still a classic date idea!

Who says dates have to be at night? We love to grab lunch at our favorite sandwich place, Capriotti's. You can dine in or have a picnic like I suggested earlier.

We went to Las Vegas' famous Freemont Street and played around! Man, there is some goooood people watching down there! Haha

Listening to our friends play at the Golden Nugget. Fun & FREE!

Catching more live, local music in Vegas! I think this evening probably cost us less than $10! No cover charge at the door and all we bought was a Red Bull and a couple of lollipops from the bathroom attendant! (It sounds weirder than it was. Lol)

Thrifting!!!!! 

When we were in Denver, a friend got us free tickets to the aquarium. After that we checked out an outdoor shopping area, grabbed some food and called it a night! It was a fun date day!

Put the "kids" to bed, popped open some sparkling cider, got out the key lime pie and watched the series finale to our favorite show, "Breaking Bad!"

We played a fun game at a bridal show! It was a great way to showcase creativity while working on our communication skills.

A date can be as simple as swinging in a hammock together...like there's no one else in the world but the two of you...

Don't forget about double dates! 

A day at the lake is one of our favorite things to do together!

Working on house projects...

Fishing! This was another double date activity.

Dean produced a show called "Jailhouse Rock" and I was part of it. We got to do what we love together and that's always a blessing! 

Backyard projects! We got a new umbrella because he always wanted a red one, but never bought one. We planted flowers and cleaned the place up! It was an ongoing activity for us.

Making meals together....

We spent the day in Eureka Springs, AR

looking at shops, having dinner and visiting a haunted hotel!

I hope this gives all you Love Birds some great date ideas! Oh, #13 is actually one we are doing right now! We started it at the end of February so we will be going through our memories very soon! It's been a fun way to really focus on special moments, no matter how small they may be. 

Enjoy your QT together!!!! XOXO