When you're married with children, finding alone time as a couple is difficult. But when school is back in session, the additional demands of extracurricular activities and assorted family member schedules make it nearly impossible. Tack on the cost involved with a night out, and most couples just simply decide to forgo date night as a luxury. But that kind of thinking needs to be adjusted. Date Night with your spouse doesn't have to be an all-out romantic extravaganza taking weeks of planning. In fact, Date Night doesn't even have to be at night! The important thing is to carve out some time for just the two of you so you can recharge, refocus and maybe even romance each other. Here are 8 Thrifty Back to School Date Night Ideas that you can try.
Take a walk. Walking costs you nothing but the benefits are amazing. Besides getting some quality time with your sweetheart, your health will improve. You can walk in the morning and start your day off together, or you can take a stroll after dinner. If the kids are old enough to be left alone, let them take care of the kitchen cleanup while you and your spouse amble around the neighborhood. It's a win-win.
Take in a celestial show. When is the last time that you watched a sunset hand in hand? Or even a sunrise? Who needs a movie when we have the heavenly hosts above our heads every night? Back to school means that the kids have earlier bedtimes. Take advantage of that! When everyone else is asleep, head out to the back yard, throw a blanket on the ground and gaze up at the stars. It's even better if there's a meteor shower or eclipse. Talk with each other and reconnect under the best light show in the world.
Take Advantage of Local Events. Many communities have a variety of day and night-time events for the purpose of building civic pride. There are a wide range of activities from art shows to yoga classes. For example, at Florida's Clearwater Beach, at Pier 60, they show movies on the beach for free. You only pay for parking. Just bring your blankets or chairs and sit on the beach to watch the movie. If it rains or you don't like the movie, you can walk the boardwalk. Check your city's website under community events.
Pack a Picnic. Always a romantic go to gold standard, the picnic is the stuff of romantic lore. A picnic isn't just a portable meal. It's an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature and your spouse's company. The varieties and locales are endless. One couple I know used to picnic in their car when they were new parents. They took their meal and a portable DVD player and enjoyed the time together. Or you could follow the lead of The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam. A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness— Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!
Drive-in Movie. As the price of a movie ticket skyrockets, people are discovering and rediscovering Drive-in theatres after many years of decline. Drive-ins provide a romantic and nostalgic alternative under the stars. Better yet, for the cost of admission, you usually see two or sometimes three movies. But check the movies on our movie monitor before you go. Find out if there's a drive-in near you.
Plane Spotting. With over 19,700 airports in the United States, it's likely that you are close enough to enjoy this activity. There's something romantic about watching airplanes take off and land that has long been a date-night fave. As an added bonus, some of the small local airports have restaurants that sit on the runway where the small private jets, Cessnas and helicopters fly in. Whether you go to a local spot or an international airport, it's nice to be together, talk about your day and enjoy the air show. Here are some conversation starters to get you off the ground.
Spa Day on the Cheap. A lot of nice resorts offer day passes to use their facilities for a nominal fee, usually less than $20. You can lounge by the pool, enjoy the steam room and hot tub, have herbal tea at the spa in a robe, or read a book in the lobby lounge. You feel like you're on vacation for the day without the huge bill.
Sunrise Surprise. Sometimes a date can be in the morning. After you get the kids off to school, have your morning meal together…alone. Breakfast is usually less expensive than dinner if you choose to dine out. And if you have a little extra time, you could indulge in some window shopping or even an exercise class together.
