Welcome to Day 24 of my 2014 #Write31Days journey! If you are new here, you can read a little more about me in the sidebar. 
This is one that isn’t always easy to pull off, at least in my opinion. Having a date night outside the home costs money, and requires you find someone to stay with your children. Both sets of grandparents live locally, and as long as we plan ahead, we can usually get free help. However, even with a free sitter, the actual date still costs.
I feel that dating your spouse helps you two stay connected and not lose sight of each other in the busyness of raising kids.
5 Inexpensive Ideas for Date Night
Date Night at Home
If you can’t get a sitter, get the kids in bed early (easier said than done, I know!), or if they are old enough, set them up with a movie in another room while you two enjoy a nice meal at home (even if it is take-out!) and possibly a movie yourself. This is a low-cost way to have mostly uninterrupted time together. If you can get a sitter, take the kiddos to the sitter’s home and come back home to enjoy the house all to yourselves. Instead of a movie, you could also play games!
Picnic in the Park
If money is an issue (and when is it not, right?!?!), take a picnic and hike to a local park or beach. Take-out or even sandwiches, a blanket, and your honey at a park can make a wonderful, easy date that is inexpensive. If you go in the evening, you can lay on your blanket and gaze at the stars.
Matinee and Lunch Specials
If you want to go out, but keep it inexpensive, hit up the matinee times at the movies and lunch specials at restaurants. Sometimes these can be quite a bit less expensive than their full-price/rush time prices. A Drive-in theater – if you are near one – is also a fun option!
Coffee and Bookstores
Yes, I know that bookstores are beginning to fail, but there are still some out there. Head to one, grab a cup of coffee (I know many Barnes and Noble have Starbucks in them), and browse those funny-looking rectangles with paper glued inside. {wink}
Oh, and yes Starbucks can be six bucks a cup, but you get the idea. If all you spend is $12 and you get some time to talk and dream and chat, then it’s worth it, right?
Fun Trips
Bowling, ice skating, roller skating, fairs, flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, and museums can all be enjoyable time together.
What is your favorite date night activity?
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photo credit (top): analogophile via photopin cc
photo credit: A Guy Taking Pictures via photopin cc
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