Monthly Date Night Ideas // July 2018

💑 Test out your barbecue skills as a couple & grill some yummy goodness!

💑 Hunt for finds together at a thrift store & see what the coolest {or wackiest} thing is you each can find!

💑 Play Frisbee at the park!

💑 Too hot out there?  Have some indoor fun & play some video games together!

💑 Serve Christ together by volunteering at your church's VBS!

💑 Visit the nearest water park & spend the day splashing & sliding around!

Date Night Ideas // June 2018

💑 Visit the closest rest stop that has visitor info & go pick out some brochures together that interest you both.  Go home & research  + make some plans together for future someday-soon nearby adventures... & make a pact that you actually go & do some of these things this summer!

💑 Revisit a place that is meaningful to you as a couple.  Whether it's the 1st place you ever went on a date, the spot of your 1st kiss, where you got married, etc.  Go there together & make some new memories while you fondly remember the old.

💑 Have a classic old movie night-in!  Snuggle up, pop some popcorn, & watch something from the golden age of Hollywood... be it comedy, drama, or somewhere in-between.  Bonus Idea: Afterwards, discuss how you think your relationship would be if you lived in the bygone era from the movie you watched.

💑 Know about the painted rock craze?  Click here for more.  Paint some rocks together & go hide them around your city.  Be sure to check Facebook & Instagram to see if your city has a painted rock page to join - or you could create one of your own. {Dan & I ❤ hiding + hunting rocks!}

💑 Find some outdoor games to play together.  Click here for lots of options from Walmart!

💑 Find the nearest creek, lake, or beach that's safe to splash in + explore.  Enjoy an afternoon of water + sun + fun!

Date Night Ideas // May 2018

💑 Attend an outdoor concert together. {Don't forget the sunscreen if it's during the day!}

💑 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a lunch or dinner date to your favorite Mexican restaurant {or try Googling "authentic Mexican restaurants near me"}.

💑 Find a nearby trampoline jump park & go bounce around together.  Check before you go, because many places have special adult hours, so you won't be in danger of knocking down someone's little kiddo mid-bounce!

💑 Have a late night snack star gazing picnic out somewhere away from any city lights.  Make it a date to shop together for some snack foods to take along before you go.

💑 Go on a mini road trip to a nearby city you haven't visited before & take the day to explore the place together.

💑 Shop for the ingredients for the perfect pizza & then go home & make it together.  Can't agree on the toppings?  Make it half & half!

Date Night Ideas // April 2018

💑 Go to the library together & pick out a movie or 2 to borrow {at most libraries this is free to do with a library card}.  Then, go home, pop some popcorn, & enjoy this date-night-in on the cheap!

💑 Gather some friends {married or single} & have a group game night date.  Ask guests to bring some of their favorite board/video games if you don't have many.  Don't forget the snacks!

💑 Find the closest fair or mini amusement park & go have an adventure together.

💑 Play putt-putt golf together + go out for a treat afterwards.

💑 Look for a warm day when gentle April showers fall {i.e.: no lightening/thunder}, & go out & play/dance/run in the rain together.

💑 Go seed/plant shopping together & start a little garden {whether in pots or somewhere in your yard}.  Be sure to continue to water/tend your garden together as it grows + take the time as you care for your plants to talk about the growth in your own relationship.

Ways We Save $!

• Nix cable, magazine/box subscriptions, etc.  We even got rid of Netflix recently, 'cause we just didn't need it.
• Eat in!  This doesn't mean we never go out - in fact it's one of Dan's favorite things to do - but eating out is typically way more expensive than eating in.  So, more often than not, I make dinner for us at home. {Bonus: It can be a whole lot healthier that way, too!}
• Gather all your unwanted/don't-need-stuff & have a yard sale.  We did this recently, & even though we didn't have any big ticket items, we ended up earning a little over $150!
• Sell stuff on eBay.  If it's likely to earn much more on eBay than at a yard sale, we put it online + pray for a bidding war to break out! 😉
• Shop smarter with the free Flipp app that lets you check multiple stores' weekly ads + view coupons, etc.
• Check out books, DVDs, & CDs at the local library instead of buying.
• Sign-up for Ebates & earn $ back on purchases from lots of stores you're likely already shopping at!  It feels a little like getting paid for shopping, 'cause it basically kinda is.

Date Night Ideas // March 2018

💑 Fly kites together on a windy day + have a picnic.

💑 Explore your city's downtown together.

💑 Have a spring cleaning date & make your place all spick-&-span! {Extra Tip: Spend time creating a clean-up playlist together before beginning.}

💑 Gather old & unused stuff & have a yard sale.

💑 Gather some snacks + blankets & binge watch a favorite show together one lazy afternoon.

💑 Start planning some fun summer goals + make a summer bucket list together.

P.S.: Sorry this is sooo late this month!

Date Night Ideas // February 2018

💑 Splurge & make reservations at a snazzy restaurant {+ pull your loveliest dress out of the closet} & enjoy a romantic fancy dinner date!

💑 Go to your favorite donut place & enjoy some sweet treats together. {Many places have Valentine-themed donuts right now!}

💑 Write each other a special love note.  Then exchange + read them together in a candlelit space. {Having some chocolate covered strawberries handy wouldn't hurt, either}.

💑 Make an indoor fort together using pillows, sheets, etc., & then settle in & watch some of each other's favorite flicks + cuddle.

💑 Attend a concert together.

💑 Go bowling! {We did this for our 1st married Valentine's.}

Date Night Ideas // January 2018

💑 See if you can find a nearby ice skating rink & have a skating date.  It's okay if you've never tried it before - the start of a new year is the perfect time to try new things!

💑 Go on a quest to find the perfect hot chocolate or coffee or tea.  This could involve a trip to the grocery store or a multi-date-night visit to various coffee houses around your area.  Rank your findings on taste, presentation, value, etc. & see which wins out {+ if you agree}.

💑 If you are married {or even engaged}, have a date-night-in with some dinner + all important money talk + a visit to crown.org to try some of their resources & free calculators {these have really benefited Dan & I}.  Be sure to season your money talk with love + grace + understanding.

💑 Now that you're thinking about money, why not save some & have a cozy game-night-in?  Play some of your favorites together.  You could also easily turn this into a double date!

💑 Start some healthy habits together.  Whether it's making better food choices as a couple, making the decision to go to counseling, joining a gym together, or just getting out & walking around the neighborhood or park, begin things together today that will make you a physically & emotionally stronger unit.

💑 Have a special prayer date!  It's the beginning of a brand new year & what better time to pray for your future together?  While you can most certainly do this anywhere, try to find a special place {because it is a date, after all}.  A park, garden, church, or some place that's special to you as a couple, are just a few options.  Try praying both together & separately for the coming year, for your relationship, God's blessings, & His will to be done in your lives, etc.  Afterwards, why not continue the date with a visit to a coffee shop to talk about your hopes, dreams, & goals for the year?

Date Night Ideas // December 2017

💑 Bake Christmas cookies together + eat while watching some of your favorite Christmas flicks.

💑 Drive around & see all the best Christmas lights in your area!  Try Googling where the top spots are before you go.  FYI, a thermos of hot cocoa for the drive never hurt, either.  Oh, & don't forget to turn up the Christmas tunes!

💑 Start a new tradition together.  Even before kiddos hit the picture, it's important for married couples to begin creating their own special ways of marking holidays.  Two of ours for this time of year are reading daily from our scripture advent calendar & gifting each other a special ornament each year.

💑 Go to a candlelight Christmas Eve service & joyously celebrate the true reason for the season together.

💑 Design & construct a gingerbread house together!

💑 Purchase gifts together for a family in need.  The Angel Tree project, the Salvation Army, & Toys for Tots are 3 of many organizations that you might donate to this season.

Date Night Ideas // November 2017

💑 Make a list separately {'cause you both might need some thinking time to get your feelings down} of things that make you thankful for each other, then get together & share them over coffee {or whatever you both like}.

💑 Go fill a shoe box together for Operation Christmas Child {Nov. 13th - 20th}!

💑 Find more ways to get out & serve together.  Soup kitchens, nursing homes, churches, & children's hospitals are always on the lookout for fresh volunteers.

💑 Get in the kitchen & bake a pie together for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.

💑 Go check out something theatrical together.  Investigate what your area has to offer.  Whether it's a play, poetry reading, or concert... make it a date!

💑 Have a fancy dress up date & get all dolled up.  You don't have to spend tons, just 'cause you're dressed snazzy.  Sometimes just walking around downtown hand-in-hand in the evening & making all the passersby wonder what you 2 are up to looking like you do is enough. ❤

Date Night Ideas // October 2017

💑 Go to a pumpkin patch together & pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home with you.

💑 Find your way out of a corn maze together.

💑 Decorate a pumpkin!  You can paint it, carve it, cover it, sticker it... the possibilities are pretty endless here... just do it together.

💑 Have an honest talk about your fears, from the sillyish stuff {like creepy clowns & humongous hairy spiders} up to the real hard stuff {like abandonment & trust}, be brave & speak openly together.  If married, remember you are/should be each other's safe place.  Work on strengthening that this month.

💑 Go on a drive &/or walk to enjoy the beauty of God's autumn handiwork.  Take a selfie or 2 together {be sure to include the fall foliage in the backdrop}, to remember He is doing a beautiful work in your relationship & changing you both to be more like Him.

💑 Gift each other your favorite candies + enjoy them while cuddling with a movie-night-in.

Date Night Ideas // September 2017

💑 Find the nearest state or national park/monument & go explore it together.  Here's a money saving tip: many public libraries offer a free state park pass you can check out for your particular state, which can save you on any parking fees, etc.

💑 Cook/bake something yummy together.  Side note: you do not have to be culinary-ly inclined to do this.  Get together, try out a recipe, make a mess, clean it up, eat what you create, & have fun.

💑 Read a book together!

💑 Visit a card shop together & pick out different romantic cards for each other just 'cause.  You could totally save money here & show each other the cards instead of buying them {+ still get all the warm fuzzies}, or you could buy 1 or 2 for each other, & fill them out on your own later & give them sometime in the next few days as a semi-"surprise."

💑 Go bike riding.  Even if you don't have a bicycle, most cities have rental options.

💑 Go camping {even if it's just a tent in the backyard}.

P.S.: Sorry this is sooo late!

Date Night Ideas // August 2017

💑 Go on a back-to-school shopping spree together & donate the items to an organization that collects for students in need.  Don't forget to spend time praying as a couple for the students + their teachers.

💑 Go out to a favorite eating place from your school/college days & over dinner share your favorite school memories... even the funny embarrassing ones you hope no one remembers!

💑 Watch the wonder of the Solar Eclipse together.  Maybe even plan a picnic for right before so you'll already be outdoors.  Be sure to take proper precautions to protect your eyes!

💑 Wander through a bookstore or library hand-in-hand & see what literature appeals to each of you.  Explore the place together.

💑 Play a trivia game together.  You could make it interesting by having something at stake for the winner &/or loser... like winner gets to choose next date or pick the ice cream place... or  loser gets to do the dishes or sit through the winner's favorite TV show...  Don't forget to be a good sport {win or lose}!

💑 Take a class together.  Whether it's a cooking class, an evening painting group, a pottery lesson, horse back riding, a sport, or whatever interests the both of you... get out & learn something new as a couple.

Date Night Ideas // July 2017

💑 Try being tourists in your own city & explore what your area has to offer - both old & new.

💑 Make an indoor fort to cuddle + watch movies / play games in!

💑 Play the blindfolded navigator game!  Place a bandanna over the passenger's eyes & have them give directions for the driver, such as left, right, straight...  At some point, let the passenger remove her/his blindfold & see where you end up + switch roles.  Note: you may need to have the GPS handy in case you end up, well, a bit lost!

💑 Paint together.  You don't have to be a trained artist in the least {hello, abstract art} to have fun!  Gather some supplies & decide if you want to work on separate canvases or on 1 together {brushes or finger painting is another option}.  See what the pair of you can create!

💑 Send a sky lantern up into the dark night sky + spend time praying over & discussing your future together.

💑 Escape the heat of the day & try an early morning &/or evening hike together.  Bonus points if you get going in time to see the sunrise!

Date Night Ideas // June 2017

💑 Go on a double date with another couple. {I think these are most fun when you have the space to talk (i.e.: not a movie night).}

💑 Try spelunking together!

💑 Find a snow cone {shaved ice} place & make it a date!

💑 Cool down with a fun swim date.  All you need to find is a pool, lake, beach, etc. {You can even use the water hose &/or sprinkler!}

💑 Visit a nearby aquarium or zoo together.  Learn about each other's favorite critters.

💑 Try out new smoothie recipes + combinations together & have a taste testing! {Don't forget to make it a grocery date before to gather all the fruits/veggies you guys want.}

Date Night Ideas // May 2017

💑 Try an impromptu arcade date night sometime this month.  {Read about ours here.}

💑 Go to a baseball game together.  Bonus points if you wear your favorite team's colors &/or get a hot dog {or your favorite stadium fare}!

💑 Have a night in & play several rounds of GeoGuessr {we like to play single player & then work together}.  It's a free & super fun {at least we think so} online game that uses Google Maps.  You're dropped into a random street view somewhere on the globe & have to move around & try to figure out where you are.  Afterwards, create an awesome travel bucket list &/or a summer travel wish list you'd like to complete together.

💑 Grab some fairly easily portable food + a blanket + each other's hands {'cause you know, that's what you do} & have a picnic!  Whether you make the food from pantry finds at home, grocery shop together for it {I love the unusual smallish (individual sized) food finds at World Market}, or pick it up at a drive-thru make it something you both find yummy & then head outdoors!  Parks, gardens, backyards, etc. all make for perfect picnic spots! {Once, we had a picnic at a rest area in our own city!}

💑 Wander a local/nearby museum you've either never visited or it's been awhile.  See what you can learn together & what appeals to one another. {Here's a money saving tip: some museums have once a month free days or other discounts, check out websites &/or call to check before you go.}

💑 Try a new-to-you-both ice cream shop.  If you can't find one close, try a new flavor at your favorite one.

Date Night Ideas // April 2017

I'm a believer in date nights {& date mornings, date afternoons... (dates should not be bound by strictly the PM hours, if you ask me)}.  Whether you're dating your maybe-one-day-spouse or your actual-forever-this-is-it-I'm-so-crazy-blessed-spouse, spending time together + making memories = strengthening the bonds {& that is forever a good thing}!  Each month I'm gonna bring some fresh "date night" ideas right to you... mostly budget-friendly with a splurge here & there.  I hope you find some ideas you & your special guy will enjoy!  Happy dating!

💑 Does your city have an outdoor weekend market or farmer's market?  Go out, hold hands, people watch, & wander the vendor spaces.  You might just find some delish local honey or farm fresh eggs to take home, too.  Spending time together + supporting local entrepreneurs = win win!

💑 Visit a new-to-you park or garden space & stroll all around.

💑 Volunteer yourselves to help with your church's Easter egg hunt.  Nothing says togetherness & fun like little kiddos + plastic eggs + way too much candy!

💑 Go to a garden center & pick out some seeds &/or plants.  Take 'em home to plant & get your hands dirty together. {Don't forget you may also need soil, pots, & small digging tools!}

💑 Go buy a couple kites from the dollar store & find a wide open space to fly 'em. {A windy day is highly recommended!} Reminisce over favorite childhood memories.

💑 Have a yummy brunch date!  Try to find a place that has outdoor seating.

8 Unexpected Spots to Hide Love Notes for Your Spouse

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1. In the fridge next to their favorite snack.  {In my husband's case, that would be anywhere near the diet Dr. Pepper.}

2. In their work bag.  If you place it in a seldom used pocket or some other tricky place they may not spot, sometime during the work day send a message telling them where to look.

3. Tucked under the visor in their car.  Hopefully, they'll flip that down & your surprise note will fall into their lap - or onto the car floor, where they'll lean down to get it & almost sideswipe a semi {but hopefully the former, not the latter will occur}.

4. Put a stamp on it & send it the old fashioned way.  The fact that you live with this person & could have handed it to them only adds to the quirky charm, in my opinion.  {Or you could save a stamp & just address it & stick it in the mailbox (after the mail's already been delivered, of course) & send your spouse to bring it in.}

5. Tucked inside their favorite boxed/bagged snack food.  Cookie, cracker, & cereal boxes are all perfect for this, by the way.

6. Put your message in a bottle!  Bonus points if you can find a spot to float it in actual water... a hot drawn bath with bubbles might be just the thing!

7. In their underwear drawer.

8. Inside the book they're currently reading.