Having a special night for just the two of you helps to maintain strong, long term relationships. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, and you can choose to schedule it once a month or once a week.
It can be hard to find time to go out – especially when your kids are small and your budget can barely cover an ice cream cone. See if another couple you know well wants to trade off babysitting, or find things that you can do at home.
Whatever you do, remember that this is an intimate time for the two of you. Don’t talk about problems, the kids, or chores, but discuss your hopes, dreams, and goals. Be silly. Laugh. Remember why you fell in love in the first place.
Eat Cheap
Going out to dinner can be expensive, especially if your tastes run toward the gourmet. Keep it affordable by choosing to meet for lunch or just dessert and coffee. Lunch seatings are generally considerably less expensive than dinner and often the food is the same – just smaller portions.
Dessert allows you to have a fancy night out on a dime. Coffee and dessert at even upscale restaurants will rarely cost more than $30.00 for the two of you and if you choose a moderately priced restaurant you can probably get away with half of that.
Quiet Evening at Home
For a quiet evening at home consider creating appetizers, your favorite drinks, and putting together a puzzle. Working together builds intimacy and almost everyone likes puzzles. See if you can have the kids spend the night at Grandma’s or wait until they are sound asleep.
Be Active
Go bowling. Bowling is usually inexpensive and doesn’t take much time to learn the basics. Not only is it a lot of fun but it is great exercise, too.
Local Talent
Check out the local community college. Often there will be concerts, lectures, theater performances, or art shows for a fraction of the price of going to see professionals. If the artsy stuff just isn’t your style, sign up as a couple for a class in a subject that you are both interested in.
Star Gazing
If you like the great outdoors, head for a lake near you. Bring a picnic basket with a plate of cookies, a thermos of coffee, and a guide to the constellations. Try to identify the various constellations while you chat. Be sure to wish on a star before you leave. There is something about the sound of the gentle waves that is relaxing, comforting, and romantic.
Become Tourists at Home
Grab your camera and head for a historic area of town. Tour the area as if it was the first time you saw it and take lots of pictures. Eat lunch at a small, independent restaurant that you have never been to. Use another date night to create a scrapbook to help you remember the day.
Create Heat
Send the kids to Grandma’s house and bake cookies together… naked.
CompeteÂ
Play video games together. A little friendly competition is exhilarating and sexy. Choose a game for the Wii or Xbox that neither of you has played before to keep it fair.
What are your best date night ideas?
photo credit: Peretz Partensky
