Looking to plan a special date for you and your significant other without breaking the bank?
You don’t have to splurge on an expensive dinner or elaborate activity to make your time together feel romantic and meaningful.
With a little creativity, you can plan an unforgettable date that will leave you and your partner feeling connected and cherished.
Check out these ten romantic and affordable date ideas that will make your heart skip a beat without leaving your wallet empty.
1. At Home Paint and Sip
‘Paint and Sips’ are an excellent way to see how you and your partner can get creative; however, they can be pricey. Paint and Sips are in-formal art classes where you paint the same image and drink cocktails, mocktails, or wine.
You can recreate a similar experience at home that is not limited to painting and can include fancy homemade cocktails/mocktails. You can purchase affordable arts and crafts sets from your local craft store or even create something using air-drying clay.
2. Game Night
Game nights are a fun and competitive way to test your partner’s skills. Most video games have a co-op mode where you can team up. Story-based games are great as you go through challenges together.
Board games can also provide hours of entertainment on a low budget. You can find rare board games at charity shops. Most new board games are fairly inexpensive and can be a great option for date night. Also, many libraries have board games that you can borrow for free.
3. Visit an Art Gallery or Museum
Most museums and galleries have free entry or discounted tickets available, so you can get get your culture on without spending too much money. This is a great way to see what art styles your partner likes and can even help you decide what to create for your ‘At home Paint and Sip.’
4. The Viral £5/$5MEAL Challenge
This challenge has taken over social media and is a fun way to test your cooking, budgeting, and creative abilities. Taking turns, you and your partner must come up with a three-course meal that stays within a set budget – typically, the budget is set low to make this more challenging – the lower it is, the more difficult. The challenge is in the budget, and the lower it is, the more challenging it can be.
5. Book Club
If your partner is an introvert or book lover, they will love this idea. Make an ‘at home book club’ where you and your partner can read the same book, with a cozy drink and candles.
Not only can this improve your communication skills with your partner as you discuss your thoughts on the book, but this can also provoke interesting and thoughtful conversations. This can be a great and intimate way to reignite the spark in your relationship.
6. Gardening
Some garden centers offer free volunteer gardening days, especially in the Spring. This can be a fun activity with your partner, and you can give back to your community at the same time!
You can also garden at home, growing seasonal fruits or vegetables that you can harvest and cook with. Over time this can be very cost-effective, as you can re-grow your own produce.
7. Make Recipes From Around the World
Cooking and baking is a fun activities to do with your partner. You can try recipes from various parts of the world and learn about different cultures. To make this more fun and competitive, you can host a couples cooking contest and judge your partner’s dishes!
8. Hobby Swap
Want to get to know your partner on a deeper level?
Take turns explaining and participating in your partner’s hobbies. This can also help you get to know your partner even more. You can teach your partner a skill that you have, such as playing the piano. Taking turns enjoying each other’s hobbies can help you better understand your partner’s life.
9. Play Tourist
You can become a tourist in your own city with your partner because the chances are you’ve not been to any historical places that are on your doorstep. A spokesperson from Dua.com says, “exploring your city can be refreshing and give you a new perspective on where you live.”
10. IKEA Challenge
IKEA is a great date spot since there is a lot of walking and talking involved, plus there is no entry fee. You and your partner can walk through the showrooms or even grab something to eat at their food hall. You can even find something that is within your budget to build together.
A Dime Saved
Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.