3 Frugal Date Night Ideas for Winter

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It is officially freezing outside. I mean, it’s super cold people! While it may be below 32 degrees outside, this is the perfect time to work on the heat within your relationship. Winter holds a special place in the hearts of The Husband and I; since we married in the winter of 2005, we always seem to become very nostalgic about our time together when the temperature goes down. We love to go out and do things together, celebrate our connection and date like normal couples. The problem? Time and money. We seem to not have either when it comes to “date night.” But here are 3 ideas for frugal date nights that you can experience in 2 hours or less. So, call the babysitter and tell her she’s on call this weekend and that it’ll take less time than a full screening of Forrest Gump!

“Blind” Date
Here’s the deal: Have your husband/spouse get dressed first. Once the babysitter arrives, have them go out and give you time to dress up. If they are wise, they’ll use this time to grab a rose or bouquet of flowers from the supermarket. Instruct your spouse to ring the doorbell when they return and let the babysitter open the door while you get ready. Come down the stairs in a knockout winter outfit that you shopped from your closet.
Why this rocks: We obviously can’t have a real “blind date” after being in a relationship for years. But, this allows you to feel excitement that you used to feel before a big date when you were younger or early in the relationship. Your spouse will feel butterflies when they ring the doorbell and you’ll feel them when you hear it from the bedroom. Top off the night by going out to dinner(or lunch!). Use a Groupon deal and try out a restaurant new to the both of you.

Fun at the Arcade
Here’s the deal: Let’s put that saved change to good use! Find out where your local arcade is located and go out on the ultimate teenage date. Play air hockey, find a fun shoot-em-up game you can play together or have your spouse use the claw (The Claw!) to get you a cute teddy bear. Be 16 again.
Why this rocks: Games immediately make a date lively and when you can play them together, without the kids wanting to do the same, you feed the youth in yourself. They’ll be some friendly competition between the two of you and it’s all done with pocket change. Keep it eternally frugal and adolescent by grabbing a few slices of pizza from your favorite local shop on your way home.

Drugstore Duel
Here’s the deal: This is the coolest of the cool when it comes to quick, fun, and frugal dates. You and your spouse get 30 minutes and 10 dollars each to spend at your local drugstore. The idea is to by each other gifts! Find the cutest, sweetest, funniest and oddest trinkets to buy for your Love. Take your bags of gifts with you to a local coffee shop or bakery and exchange them over lattes and cupcakes. Make sure to share WHY you chose the things you did.
Why this rocks: This is a great way to get your mind working and a clever way to show your spouse that even everyday items you find at the drugstore remind you of their spirit. They’ll be lots of chuckles during the exchanging of gifts, and we all know that laughter is one of the best parts of a healthy relationship. Also? Giggles keep you warm. They do. It’s science!
BONUS: Can’t get a babysitter? Have your spouse run out to the drugstore first, keeping the 30 minute time limit. Then, when they come home, you go. When you return, make 2 hot cocoas, pull out the cookies and exchange your gifts while snuggled up on the couch.

I hope these few ideas will help you get out this wintry weekend and enjoy the presence of each other.
Have other ideas for frugal date nights in the winter? Feel free to leave them in the comments!