Let’s face it—dating is fun, but it can be expensive. And as you and your boyfriend spend time getting to know each other, you want something other than bowling, catching a movie or dinner. And you don’t want to blow all your (or your boyfriend’s) money.
I’ve been on tons of dates with my boyfriend, who’s now my fiance. Having a long-distance relationship for most of our courtship meant having to squeeze every bit of fun into the weekends when we visited each other. To do so, we had to come up with inexpensive activities, because we couldn’t go out for dinner every time. These dates were all so much fun that we ended up repeating many of them, making small adjustments to keep our time together fresh and interesting. Try them for yourself and discover how to have fun and save some money!
(Almost) Free Dates
1. Wash your car. Gather a bucket of warm, soapy water, some sponges and a hose. Make your vehicle look new again while enjoying each other’s company. Warning: A water fight may ensue.
2. Paint or build a piece of furniture, dog house, rabbit
cage, etc. Scrounge around the garage for half-empty pails of paint, scrap wood and any other supplies you may need. Let your creativity flow while, as a team, you piece together or paint something useful.
3. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight or hold a snow
sculpture contest. (If you live someplace tropical, think in terms of sand instead.) Afterward, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with plenty of marshmallows.
4. Play board games together. This is an exciting, competitive date. Some of my favorite two-person games include Stratego, Mastermind, chess, checkers and Boggle.
5. Bake cookies together. Look up a recipe for which you have all the ingredients, so you don’t have to go shopping. Or try a totally new recipe and shop for the ingredients together. (This option can be a bit pricey, depending on what you make.) When the finished product emerges from the oven, you have a delicious snack. Top it off with a tall glass of milk, or bring them to someone who needs encouragement.
6. Go Rollerblading. If you live on a cul-de-sac or on a quiet street, strap on some Rollerblades and take off! Try your hand at roller hockey or practice those figure-skating moves. Once the weather turns colder, try ice-skating on a pond or homemade ice rink.
More Cheap Dates
Sometimes it’s more exciting to go out on a date—to actually leave the house and drive somewhere. The good news is that these dates don’t have to empty your wallet. I’ve discovered tons of fun activities that still leave some cash in the bank.
1. Watch a minor league game. (Minor league sports vary with region, so check to see which sports your city offers.) There’s sometimes no entry fee for the minor leagues, yet they can be almost as exciting as (and sometimes more fun than) the big league games.
2. Pick fruit together. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with fruit orchards (apple, berry, peach), make picking them an enjoyable date instead of a chore. Have a goal in mind—such as making a pie—and have fun. Don’t forget to eat lots of the fruit as you pick—it always tastes best fresh!
3. Go hiking. Most campgrounds and state parks have marked trails. If you’re an adventurous couple, try blazing your own. Just remember to take along a compass, lots of water and some snacks. And don’t forget a camera to capture the beautiful fall colors.
4. Play games at a nursing or retirement home. Call the facility and set a date for a game night. Take along Scrabble, checkers or some of your favorite games. And get ready to hear lots of stories! Seniors love seeing new faces, especially those who don’t receive regular visitors. If you’re a competitive couple, invite along some friends and set up a tournament with prizes for the winners.
5. Help out at a homeless shelter or do other volunteer
work. Every town has people on the streets who could use a warm bowl of soup and a smiling face. Depending on the shelter, you may have to sign up in advance. Another option is to rake leaves for your elderly neighbors or for single moms at your church. Gather your tools and enjoy the crisp air as you show Christ’s love to others.
Start Planning!
These are only a few fabulous dates you can plan to learn more about your boyfriend (and maybe even yourself). Most of them cost less than $20, and many are completely free! Of course, they can all be customized to fit your own budget and personality. Use these ideas to get your creative juices flowing about other fun and inexpensive dates that will create lasting memories for you and your guy. Enjoy!
