Thrifty Thursday - Thrifty Dates

This week I will discuss thrifty ways to spend time with the one you love!  My husband and I have always enjoyed date nights together.  One must get creative after having kids, but they are so much more important after having kids so you both can reconnect as a couple.  These ideas can be for couples with or without kids.  Some may seem obvious, but we often need reminders of simple yet fun ideas!

• Take a walk through a local city/town and end at a cafe.
• Check to see in there are any local concerts going on that are usually free or low cost.  You can check Eventful which has a lot of events listed. 
• Miniature golf or bowling can fun and fairly cheap
• If you really need to get out for a meal, checkout gift certificates from Restaurant.com. They offer highly discounted gift certificates to local restaurants. Make sure to read the fine print though, or even call the restaurant before you purchase to make sure you’re aware of any limitations that the gift certificates come with.
• If you want to do a movie, go to the matinee. Then grab something to eat afterwards and talk about the movie and possibly still eat on the lunch menu prices.
• If you don't have sitters or are not lucky to have family around, there are other options.  First you could swap with another couple.  You and your spouse go out while the other couple keeps your children and vice versa.  Or you could get one sitter to watch all the kids and split the cost with the other couple you are going out with.
• We often do a date night at home.  Our kids usually are in bed by 8 pm, but on date nights we will put them down at 7 pm.  I will then have a meal just for us and we can eat by candlelight and enjoy a movie or play a game.  I also buy "movie theater" candy when it goes on sale and keep it in the pantry for times like this along with some fresh popped popcorn.
• Pack a picnic lunch/dinner and head out to a public park. Don't forget the blanket to sit together and enjoy the scenery. This could also work at home as well, either during nap time or the evening.

Do you have any thrifty date ideas?  Please leave it in the comment section.