Date Nights on a Budget

As we approach another Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fun to share some date night ideas on a budget. During COVID-19, my husband and I became pretty good at finding fun ways to connect with each other at home. As we’ve had three kids since then and find it hard to get out on dates for that reason, we have continued carrying on a lot of these at-home date night traditions. Spending time together doesn’t always have to look like fancy dinners or going to the movies. As military families, we are often met with a few obstacles that make getting out on regular date nights difficult. One, we are often far from family members who we wish we could rely on for the occasional date night. Second, good babysitters are hard to come by and can take a while to establish.

Lately, my husband and I have been trying to be more intentional about having more fun together. Life feels too busy to connect these days, as we often fall into a business-like relationship trying to balance all our responsibilities with the kids and house. Prioritizing our marriage isn’t always first on the list, but we’ve realized it is something we need to focus on. Here are some ways we like to have fun together on the weekends when an out-of-the-house date night isn’t possible:

1. Board games. This one sounds so obvious, and maybe boring, but let me encourage you to branch out! My husband got stuck in a rut playing the same simple games for a while — probably all the ones that come to mind immediately. Recently, we decided to venture into strategy board games, and it has opened a whole new world of fun to us. This is probably the most common thing that we do together, and we will often make it more fun by adding a cocktail or charcuterie snack board.
2. Themed movie night. Put on a Western film and serve BBQ sliders with sweet tea, or mix up some old-fashioned cocktails for a more classic vibe. Or choose a romantic comedy set in Hawaii and make piña coladas alongside teriyaki pineapple bowls. Or go darker with a murder mystery, complete with a charcuterie tower, a smoky pinot noir and a few decadent chocolate truffles. Have fun with it! It might sound like a lot, but it can be as simple as you want, and it can seriously spice up your movie nights.
3. Projector movie and fire. During the chilly months, we love to have a fire outside. Sometimes we will set up the projector and watch a movie. We will eat popcorn and candy, and make hot chocolate and wrap up in cozy blankets. It can be helpful to set this all up earlier in the day before it gets dark so that way it’s ready for date night whenever it’s finally time to unwind together (and we don’t have the excuse of being too tired to set anything up).
4. Make a fancy dinner or dessert together. If you’re up for some cooking (and of course, cleanup after), this can be a fun way to connect after the kids go to bed. Feed them some chicken nuggets and then make yourself something gourmet later. Filets and mashed potatoes and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, a nice pasta dish with homemade garlic bread, whatever you both like. If you’re like us, you don’t make these sorts of meals on a regular basis because kids don’t appreciate it and it’s not worth the cleanup. You can make it fun by simply connecting in the kitchen, just the two of you. I have fun teaching my husband how to cook while we chat, listen to music and sip wine together without interruptions. We always make a giant skillet chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream on top for dessert. When it’s time to eat, we like to set the table with a candle, some flowers, and romantic music playing. It’s amazing how doing a few different things can make a meal at home feel so much more special.
5. Cook-off challenge. This is another way to have fun together in the kitchen. Make a list of five or so ingredients you think could make some sort of meal or appetizer and get enough for both of you. Have a contest where you each have 30 minutes (or longer) to make something with your ingredients. When you’re done cooking, you will each eat both dishes and decide whose is best. This competition can be especially fun for couples who both like to cook and know what they’re doing in the kitchen. My husband is at a disadvantage when we do this because just about the only things he can cook are eggs and the occasional sandwich.
6. At-home paint and sip. This is one of our favorite at-home date nights and can be so inexpensive because once you have the supplies, you don’t have to buy anything the next time (unless you run out of paint). Get your favorite beverages and find a painting tutorial on the internet. Set up the television or laptop where you can both see, and paint away! You can find simple supply lists for this online, but it’s typically just paintbrushes, paint and canvases.

There are, of course, endless ways to have fun at home; these are just some of our favorite ideas. All that matters is you both enjoy what you’re doing, and you’re spending time together. It could be as simple as an evening walk or bike ride around the neighborhood or as complicated as a home project together. Make it what you want, and whatever you do — don’t let it stress you out!

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