Cheap date ideas aren't just good for teenagers. When you're planning a wedding, romantic evenings often fall by the wayside. With money at a premium, it's easy to think that you can forgo the expense of dates. But with new stress, and many changes ahead, it's important to keep the romance alive. Here are some cheap date ideas to keep you in the mood.
Cheap Date Ideas in the Outdoors
Some of the easiest cheap date ideas are those that happen outside in nature. This beautiful world provides incredible backgrounds for romance, and almost all of it is free!
- Go take a hike!
Whether you’re an athlete or a couch potato, there's a hike that's right for you. Many parks offer easy trails and amenities, while the more ambitious amongst you can tackle the mountains. Visit Traillink.com to find trails near you. To really treat your date well, print out maps and directions, and pack a bag with water, snacks, a small first aid kit, and the camera.
- Picnic in a romantic spot
Whether it's the reward at the end of a hike, or a destination all on its own, a picnic is a naturally romantic. Make it special and find a unique place, or bring an luxurious food like smoked salmon or champagne. Go the extra mile by getting a friend (or hiring a teenager) to set up the picnic, so that you happen upon it as if by surprise. You can even have a proper table, chairs, and tablecloth to set the scene.
- A bicycle date
Many parks and beaches offer inexpensive bike rentals. Some even have tandem bikes. They're a great way to explore a new area, get some exercise, and feel like a kid again.
- Skating and Warming Up
Going ice skating is a classic, as are the romantic moments when you'll fall into each other's arms. But don't just stop there. Find a cute café nearby for post-skate hot chocolate and flirting. There's more than one way to warm up!
- Take a picture
Armed with a digital camera or two, head into the great outdoors. Challenge each other to different contests: most romantic photo, most interesting photo, etc. Or, give each other assignments like, "Take a picture of someone wearing an orange hat."
- Letterboxing or geocaching
No, I'm not asking you to get in a fight with a letter. These are both outdoor treasure hunts where using clues found on the internet, you search for boxes others have hidden. In letterboxing these are clues you can follow using just your eyes and sometimes a compass. The reward is a stamp for your log book. With geocaching you need a GPS, and the reward is an exchange of small trinkets. Go to letterboxing.org or Geocaching.com to learn more.
- Stargazing
Living in the city, I'm in awe every time I look at a night sky in the country. Especially during a meteor shower, I can lie for hours in my sweetheart's arms taking in the wondrous beauty. But even without shooting stars to search for, the Android app Google Sky Map makes stargazing fun. You just point the phone at the sky and the internal gps identifies which stars and constellations you're looking at.
