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> 6 Thrifty Back to School Date Night Ideas
6 THRIFTY BACK TO SCHOOL DATE NIGHT IDEAS
By Mark Merrill - Family First
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 6 Thrifty Back to
School Date Night Ideas that you can try.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 now!
5. 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.
6. 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.
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