Raise your hand if you’ve got a cute outfit but nowhere to go!
My husband and I have been married for a little over two months and we’ve spent all of it in quarantine. And before marriage and graduation, we were full-time college students who balanced part time jobs and didn’t really have any spare pocket change for a night out on the town. Now with quarantine still in effect in most of the country, we’ve had to find new and creative ways to make date nights feel fresh again!
Feeling the same way? I’m excited to share with you 8 affordable date night ideas for you and your boo!
1. Cook a meal together.
For some, cooking is one of those tasks that you have to do to get by in life (aka, survive), but bump hips with your SO in the kitchen and it’s a whole new level of fun! We’ve been loving EveryPlate, which is the daughter company of the more popular Hello Fresh. It’s affordable, has cut our grocery bill nearly in half, and keeps meals easy and interesting. Following along together on EveryPlate’s recipe cards and each taking on different tasks while listening to John Mayer (basic, I know) has become one of the things we look forward to the most.
2. Go for a walk.
Some of life’s simplest pleasures don’t cost a penny and are good for the soul! Especially during these tough months of staying indoors, a walk and some fresh air can do wonders. Now in these summer months, spritz on that bug spray and enjoy an evening walk after dinner. Or make it a morning walk and take a trip to your favorite coffee shop. A simple walk and some intentional time alone with your SO is so sweet –– not to mention a good way to get your heart pumping!
3. Build a fort.
Sometime in the throes of my quarantine woes, my husband announced to me that he thought it would be fun to build a fort together in our living room. No matter how old you are, a fort always gets you giddy! We pulled off the couch pillows, grabbed blankets (here’s a link to one of my favorite ones!), and made ourselves a cozy fort while we munched on snacks and watched New Girl. It was so fun and a great way to introduce a new environment for our usual nightly show binges.
4. Order in and watch a movie.
College was some of the most pivotal years of our relationship (since it basically started there), and we had little to no money and also little to no time. But by appreciating the small things, like ordering in our favorite takeout or sushi, and putting on a movie while having a good cuddle, we managed to find joy in its simplicity and intimacy. We recommend a good comedy (or a genre you both find enjoyable) –– and we also recommend Bachelor in Paradise, if it happens to be on, because it’s just so darn entertaining!
5. Do a puzzle.
We recently bought our very first 1,000 piece puzzle, and putting it together was satisfying and relaxing all at once. Because we weren’t doing anything too distracting or stimulating, we also were able to chat and have some time talking together. It was also surprisingly peaceful and calming. We chilled to some lo-fi while putting together a puzzle of Italy! Nothing better, truly.
6. Play an online game.
#NotSponsored, obviously, but we played Scribbl.io the other night and it was loads of fun. We played it earlier near the start of quarantine too, but recently picked it up once more as we were rotating through which activities to do again. It’s a free, online Pictionary-ish game and the most fun when played sitting across from each other so that the hilarious frustration can flow. Give it a try!
7. Work on a house project (i.e. do a DIY!).
At the beginning of quarantine, we were simultaneously starting the process of moving into and designing our first apartment. To combat boredom, we drew up some plans for open shelving in our dining room and then jetted off to Home Depot to make it come to life. Picked up some pine, sanding sheets, and wood stain, and made some gorgeous shelves that are now one of our favorite focal points in the apartment. It’s even more special since we did it together!
8. Hold each other once in a while.
I won’t lie, quarantine is a tough time for some of us. It’s good to be held by your person sometimes. Even if it’s just a short cuddle or a simple squeeze, being together with your SO makes this time precious and a little more manageable. Remember that while finding things to do is a good way to get moving and fight all the feelings of restlessness, finding rest in the arms of someone we love is the healthiest (and most invaluable) time spent of all.
xo, rachlv.
