Romantic and Creative Dating Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank

Posted by MoneySavvy on Sep 6th, 2010 | no comments home title

You’ve finally met someone that you really want to get to know better. Or, perhaps you’ve been dating for a while but you’re looking for ways to keep your relationship exciting. Coming up with ideas for dates can be a continual challenge. Not to mention that many typical dating ideas like going to movies and spending a night on the town are actually not very romantic and can cost a lot of money. By coming up with some creative dating ideas, you can add more romance to your relationship without hurting your budget.

To get you started, here are some romantic and creative dating ideas that won’t break the bank.

Cook a low-cost meal together. Going out to dinner together is fun, but noisy restaurants are not always conducive to intimate conversations. They can also get expensive very quickly. Instead, cook a low-cost meal together at one of your homes. Even a simple meal prepared together can be the backdrop for a romantic occasion. Add some candles and soft music, and enjoy the company.

Go to art gallery openings. Art galleries are filled with beautiful scenery and lots of topics for interesting discussions. They’re also very beautiful buildings in their own right. Altogether, they are the perfect setting for a romantic date. But instead of paying an entrance fee to the gallery, wait for an art gallery opening. They’ll also usually serve some kind of beverage or appetizer at these events. You may also have a chance to meet some of the artists.

Visit free museums. Look for museums in your area that don’t charge admission. You can learn something new together. You can learn about the history of your area together, or explore the history of a nearby location.

Take a stroll in the park. Parks are ideal settings for romantic dates, and the admission is free. In the winter, you can hold hands while enjoying the snow and looking for winter animals together. In the summer, enjoy the sunshine and the trees. Many parks have benches or gazebos where you can stop and enjoy the scenery together.

Hike with a delicious picnic. If you both enjoy the outdoors, head out for a day of hiking together. Pack a delicious picnic. You may want to include a bottle of wine and some wine glasses to add some extra romance. There are many types of hikes you can go on, from short easy hiking trails, to all-day hikes.

Do stargazing/full moon watching. What could be more romantic than enjoying nature’s own light show? Plan an evening under the stars or a full moon. It can get chilly in the evenings, so remember to bring along warm blankets or a jacket so you won’t have to cut your date short. It could also be fun to research some constellations together ahead of time and then look for them in the sky. If it’s a full moon, watch the moon travel across the sky.

Dream together. Sometimes the most romantic thing you can do is nothing at all except to dream. Talk about your dreams for the future and what you would like to do some day. This is a great way to get to know each other better. Imagining your “somedays” can be a lot of fun and very romantic.

Dating doesn’t need to cost a lot to be romantic. The above ideas can help you plan some creative and romantic dates, without hurting your budget.