Don’t have the time or cash to whisk your loved one to the other side of the world? Then read on for some great, low-maintenance date ideas.
It’s not unusual to want to impress a significant other on a date. If
they’re the one you have your heart set on, and you can really see
yourself having a future with them, why wouldn’t you want to impress?
However, the means don’t always match the intention, and that
surprise holiday in the Bahamas isn’t an option for most of us. Let’s
face it: if the spare funds just aren’t there–if you’re a student, for
example, or there’s an employment issue–then even a visit to a plush
restaurant can be a stretch.
Easy, affordable date ideas
For all those budding lovers whose hearts are bigger than their bank
balances, why not try one of the following low-maintenance date ideas?
There’s something in here for everyone.
#1 Eating out. Well, obviously I
don’t mean taking the object of your affections out for some posh nosh.
That would cost way too much–and if it didn’t cost way too much, you
clearly haven’t done enough to impress.
When I say eat out, I’m talking about the great outdoors. What more
romantic way is there to show your SO how much they mean to you than by
organizing a picnic somewhere scenic and memorable? And it only costs as
much as you need to spend. It’s the situation that counts, after all.
Not whether you’ve packed Beluga Caviar and Bollinger or not.
#2 A day in the park. Okay, a day
in the park could potentially be romantic, although it might be
considered a little ordinary, to say the least. But I’m not actually
talking about that kind of park. I’m talking about a ballpark or some
other kind of sports stadium–specifically the amateur kind.
That way, if the person you’re trying to impress has a penchant for a
particular sport, you get to tick all the right boxes without spending a
penny. A win-win situation if ever there’s been one.
#3 Home comforts. If a meal at a
restaurant is outside of your budget, then why not show off your
culinary skills and invite them to a homemade meal at your place?
Impress them with your best-practiced recipes, and create an ambiance
that even a high-end joint would struggle to compete with.
Of course, this might not be the ideal choice for a first date and
could seem a little forward. However, for a date a little further down
the line, one that you wish to progress to a more physical plane, this
particular thrifty offering could be the perfect ice breaker.
#4 Boot up. If your significant
other is the kind of person who loves the great outdoors and all that
nature has to offer, why not boot up and invite them on a romantic hike
somewhere? Not only does the physical activity take the onus off the
constant need to impress and relax the conversation, but it potentially
gets you out in perfect solitude.
Just the two of you tramping together through an area of outstanding
natural beauty… what could be more romantic? And at the cost of
practically nothing!
#5 A cultural affair. Not
everyone’s kettle of fish, but how about taking your significant other
to a cultural event of some kind? It could be a gallery, a museum, or a
one-off affair being used in your locale to promote something.
It’s quiet, promotes good conversation, and there’s a good chance it
won’t cost you a penny. Even if you just have to pay a nominal entry
fee, it’s unlikely to cost much, and you could potentially stay all day.
Now that’s a romantic bargain and a half!
#6 Something silly. If the apple of
your eye is the more fun and frolics type of guy or gal, then steer
away from the more serious date offerings, and instead choose something
silly and frivolous. A round of crazy golf at the local park is always
guaranteed to raise a few laughs. Or how about taking them to a karaoke
joint?
Whether you’re a great singer or a terrible one, either end of the
scale of vocal proficiency has its own particular charms, depending upon
whether your aim is to impress or amuse!
#7 A night at the movies. A trip to
the cinema can be quite an expensive affair nowadays, especially once
you’ve figured in the popcorn, soda, and hotdogs–or whatever is offered
in your particular part of the world. Instead, grab a DVD that you know
your SO will be into, and spend the night watching it huddled up on the
sofa together. As romantic as it gets, and nominal in cost.
#8 Get physical. Not the
jiggy-jiggy kind of getting physical, but the more literal sense of the
term. If your other half is the fitness and exercise type, then try
getting together with them on a date that reflects this interest. Play
squash together, play tennis, go on a long jog, tackle a hard run, or go
on a gym date. There are so many options–and they’re mostly free.
Just make sure you are up to it, also. You don’t want to crash and
burn at the first fence by sweating like a schoolboy in a spelling test,
and passing out after five minutes of moderate warming up!
#9 Call of Duty. That’s right, the
world-famous console game of the same name. Whatever the game, if your
other half is into virtual action, then why not join them at their place
for a gaming marathon? They’ll love the fact that you’re taking their
interest seriously, and not only is it free–they’ll actually be paying
for the night’s upkeep.
#10 Flea bitten. An unusual one,
this, but if they like to do a bit of shopping, try steering them away
from the high street and toward the local flea market. Not only is this a
cheaper option, but you both may just spot some amazing bargains.
Failing that, flea markets and thrift shops always throw up objects of
amusingly nostalgic value that are sure to keep the conversation
flowing.
#11 Drink up! If a night out on the tiles, moving
from swanky bar to even swankier nightclub, seems too pricey an option,
then aim for the happy hours. You can do some research beforehand to see
which bars are offering happy hours at what times, and do a little pub
crawl across them. That way, you’ll both feel like you’ve had a full
evening out, at only half the price.
#12 The road to nowhere. Sometimes, the key to a
great date is spontaneity, and what could be more spontaneous than
jumping in your car, sticking a pin in a map, and going wherever fate
takes you?Spontaneous, exciting, and very, very inexpensive.
You don’t have to rob a bank to organize an interesting, fun,
and memorable date. Any one of the ideas above should be more than up
to the task of creating that perfect moment in time that your loved one
will forever fondly recall.
