Money Saving Date Night Tips for the Introverted Couple
A guest post detailing 17 fantastic at home date ideas for little to no cost
Saving money is important, but so is spending time with your partner. One great way to spend quality time with your partner is by going on a date. Dates allow you to create intimacy along with lasting memories, plus it’s just plain fun!
So, today, I have another guest post to share with you! This one comes to us from Alex of Simply Alex Jean and it’s all about dating while also saving money.
Other Guest Posts You Might Like:
☆ The Importance of Self-Love
☆ There’s Pride in Discovering Your Sexuality
Alex is a lifestyle blogger from Ontario, Canada who writes a fantastic blog focusing on organization, lifestyle, and health & wellness. She also provides Pinterest management services for those of us who aren’t quite so social media savvy.
Keep reading to see her suggestions for at home date ideas that are cost-effective!
- 1. Build a Fort
- 2. Netflix's "Play Something"
- 3. Plan Your Next Trip
- 4. DIY Face Masks
- 5. Virtual Museum Tour
- 6. Order Takeout
- 7. Get out the Board Games
- 8. Have a Fashion Show
- 9. Campfire
- 10. Make Dinner Together
- 11. Do a Workout Together
- 12. Do a Photo-shoot
- 13. Recreate your First Date
- 14. Draw Each Other
- 15. Practice Gratitude
- 16. Have a Dance Party
- 17. Have a Wine Tasting
17 At Home Date Ideas that are Cheap (or Free)!
BY: Alex Jean
Now that things are starting to open up in most places around the world, folks are starting to get out and make up for all the experiences and attractions missed out over the past year. However, there are still some places and individuals who are leading more cautious lives and preferring to stay in. Not to mention, introverts like myself, we’re not ready to go back and be with the world!
These at home date ideas cost very little (or nothing) and are a great way to still have date nights without breaking the bank!
As such, here are 17 at home date ideas that are cheap or free that you can do with your significant other!
1. Build a Fort
So simple yet so much fun! Grab some blankets, some pillows and moveable furniture and build yourself a fort. You can even make a little space in the fort where you can watch movies on a laptop or tablet!
2. Netflix’s “Play Something”
Just a couple months ago, Netflix introduced the option to have Netflix randomly select something for you to watch. So next time you’re in the mood for a movie/tv show but haven’t a clue what to watch give that a try! You never know, you might find something you love that you would have never chosen for yourself.
Netflix’s algorithm for Play Something is based off what you watch, so it likely won’t choose something so obscure that you’d never watch it. Interested? When on Netflix go to the left-hand tool bar and click the shuffle play button symbol labelled “Play Something”.
3. Plan Your Next Trip
Thinking about your next trip or where your next vacation might be? Take some time to make an evening of dreaming and planning for your next vacation.
Feeling adventurous? Plan a vacation as if money was no object, and anything you wanted was able to be accommodated! It’s fun to spend some time dreaming, and who knows that could turn into a reality some day.
Related Read: Vacationing as a Couple: 5 Tips to Make Your Vacation Together Great
4. DIY Face Masks
Gather 1 strawberry, 1 tbsp of plain Greek yogurt, and 1 tbsp of honey. Mix it all up together and you’ve got yourself an all-natural face mask to use with each other as you relax. This makes one mask, so go ahead and double it so you and your partner can both have a nice facial. Leave it for up to 10 minutes then rinse it off.
5. Virtual Museum Tour
Without needing to leave home you can take a virtual tour of a museum. Check out Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, or Musée d’Orsay, Paris.
6. Order Takeout
Not in the mood to cook but feeling like a nice dinner with your significant other. Check out local restaurants near you that deliver and order some food for you to share, or each your own meal!
7. Get out the Board Games
Pull out all those board games that likely have been in the cupboard with Covid. Put on your friendly competition hat and have a great night playing games!
If you’re feeling adventurous you can even place bets on who will win!
Example: the winner can get a back massage, dinner made for them, watch their favorite movie, etc.
8. Have a Fashion Show
Put together some ridiculous outfits and put on a fashion show for your significant other. Find a good playlist to go with your catwalk and have some fun with it!
9. Campfire
If you have the ability to you can set up a campfire and sit out by it together chatting and snuggling. If you live in an apartment or complex where this may not be possible, you can use this virtual fire place.
10. Make Dinner Together
Cooking together can be a great space for sparks to fly! It’s an engaging activity that provides a sense of connection, as well as fun as you make the meal! Not sure where to start – pop online to Pinterest and give a search!
11. Do a Workout Together
Have a favorite workout routine, or looking for one to try? Give it a try with your partner!
Workouts release endorphins which help us positively engage with others around us, which is a win for date night!
Not sure where to start? Try this Zumba at home workout with no equipment required!
12. Do a Photo-shoot
Set up an area of your living space and have a photo-shoot! Get some funny props ahead of time, or random items around your house and snap some pics!
13. Recreate your First Date
This one might cost a bit of money, depending on how elaborate your first date was. Try your best to recreate it at home, either with takeout from your dinner spot, or stream the movie you saw in theaters, at home karaoke, set up some at home mini golf, etc.
14. Draw Each Other
Do your best imitation of Leo & Kate by grabbing some paper and pens/crayons to make a portrait of each other!
These usually turn out hilarious and can be proudly hung in your space once completed. (Bonus points if you’re an artist!)
15. Practice Gratitude
Take some time to write out a list for each other, everything you adore and love about the other person. Take a moment to read the list to them and express your gratitude for them being in your life. Hang these lists in a common space.
16. Have a Dance Party
Turn on some tunes and dance! Have fun with it and dance like no one is watching (because no one is!)
17. Have a Wine Tasting
Go to the store and pick up a few bottles of wine (say, 3-5), and then set up an at home wine tasting.
You may even be able to find mini-bottles of some wines which will help save some money!
Another tip? Pair the wine with some cheese and bread as well to really get the full experience!
At Home Date Ideas: Conclusion
The most important thing is to have fun with your person! Even if some of these activities seem silly or childish, they’re a lot of fun and really do promote a fun and engaging evening together!
Thanks Alex Jean!
Thanks so much to Alex Jean for sharing these fantastic at home date ideas (over half of which are completely free, which is always a plus!) Make sure to check out Alex’s blog, Simply Alex Jean and follow her on twitter!
Do you have any other at home date ideas to share? Let me know in the comments below!
As always, thanks so much for reading! And if you’re interested in writing a guest post for me, you can find more info on that here.
xx
Katie
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16 Comments
Some great ideas here! Prior to Covid we had tried some life drawing but not of each other so that’s something for us to try! Always looking for stuff do at home with having a little one so thanks for this.
Good, I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Ooo these are all great ideas! My partner and I love having self care date nights with face masks x
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
These are such good ideas! I love the virtual museum tour, that sounds fun!
Corinne x
So many brilliant ideas! I really love the idea of recreating your first date xx
I know, I thought that one was really sweet too
Love these ideas! I don’t actually have a boyfriend yet but I’m happy to do them alone aha. Great find about Netflix too x
Alone or even with some girlfriends! Everyone loves a good ladies-only get-together
This is such a great list! I’m showing this to my boyfriend so that we can plan a date soon
That’s so awesome!! You’ll have to report back about which one you chose!
Fab guest post from Alex! So many great ideas here, love the idea of a little bonfire or cooking together
Yes, bonfires are so romantic!
Theae are all great ideas! Who needs to spend a lit of money? Thanks for sharing. ?
Totally agree! The best things in life are free. Thanks for reading!
love all these at home dates! i had no idea netflix could choose a movie for us – for someone who is very indecisive at times, this is perfect. my fiance (bf at the time ) made a fort in the living room before and we ate pizza and watched movies. it was a lot of fun! ‘m def going to try some of these again!
That sounds like so much fun! It reminds me of being a kid and making a blanket fort with my siblings in the basement!