The month of May is officially Date Your Mate Month, which makes it the perfect time to rekindle your romance and come up with some fun ways to enjoy one another’s company. Dating can be tough though, especially when life is always moving and there are always things that need to be done. This month, you will find that dating your partner doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. In fact, you should be able to date your mate with ease after you try out a few of these frugal date ideas that will give so much back to your relationship.
1. Nature Wike
One of the easiest ways to embrace some time together is to actually get outside and go on a nature walk. Nature walks are already great for your mental health, and with the weather warming up, you might find hiking to be one of your best ways to bond during the month of dating. Since you will already be feeling better as an individual, it will make your bonding experience all the more enjoyable. You may even find that going on regular nature walks helps to improve the overall health of your relationship. Plus, apart from the cost of a babysitter, if needed, this trip will cost you next to nothing.
2. Art Lessons
Letting your creativity thrive is another great way to build up your relationship. One of the easiest ways to do this is to join an art lesson. There are many of these options to choose from, but one of the most common is wine and painting classes. Usually, everything you need for the class, including the wine, is included in the price, which can help cut down the expenses for the date. Of course, if you can’t find the time to leave the house, or you simply don’t want to, you can sign up for classes online. Sometimes supplies will be included here, but more often than not, you will have to go shopping for the things you need.
3. Sample Desserts
Enjoying a date at a restaurant is fairly common. So, if you plan on going out together you might spice up the activity by going out to sample desserts again. There are many specialty shops that will allow you to try out some exciting desserts that you may have never tried before. You can also try out the desserts that your favorite restaurant offers. More often than not, dessert gets skipped, so there is a good chance that there are many items you haven’t tried yet. If you don’t plan on going out, then you can also make your own desserts to try at home. You might start with cookies since it’s cheap and easy to separate dough and add in new toppings to try out.
4. Gussy Up
Getting out on the town when you have kids or have to work long hours can be tough. One easy way to feel the date vibes is to gussy up. Even if you’re tired, putting on nicer clothes or your partner’s favorite outfit can help spice up the relationship. Not only will it let your partner feel loved, but it will boost your own confidence too. Best of all, getting gussied up won’t cost you a thing if you choose not to go out and if you do go out it will make the occasion feel all the more special.
5. Make a Plan
It can seem almost impossible to go out on a date, especially on work nights. However, if you’re going to make the date your mate month work out for you then you might consider making a plan to make it happen. Set the dates ahead of time, so you know that they’re going to happen and won’t have an excuse not to go out. If you can get reservations in place or set in stone when you are going to which place, then you should be able to set aside money from your budget to make your dates happen.
6. Recreate Old Dates
If you’ve been together for a while, then you probably have some awesome dates that you enjoy talking about. Instead of trying to come up with new ideas to take on during date your mate month, you might consider recreating some of your beloved past dates. This can be tricky, especially if you’re not living in the same location as you did when you were on the date. However, if you’re feeling creative then a little décor and some copycat recipes might help you recreate a restaurant that you once loved. You might also try out virtual tours for dates that you can’t participate in. Don’t rule out your cheaper dates either, a picnic in the park or a romantic stroll can be just as much fun to recreate as the more extravagant dates.
7. Leave Behind Small Gifts
If you think back to the days that you were dating, then you might recall giving your special someone more gifts. Of course, none of these were probably budget-breaking. A simple flower here and there, a love note, or even a small gift like a keychain helped to show that you were thinking about the person you love. During this month, you might bring this practice back into play. Even if you do just leave a short little message here and there for your partner to discover, it should help to ignite the romance so you can get even more out of the month. If you’re struggling for little tokens of love to get your special someone, there are lots of lists online to help you find ideas.
8. Try Something New
Dating your special someone should bring something fresh to the relationship as well. If you can, try to get out and do something new in order to have a little fun with one another. Perhaps, you might consider booking at least one activity that you didn’t have the money or time to do when you were dating. This doesn’t have to be anything that will break your budget, but it should be something you both agree on. You can also look around the community and discover ideas that weren’t around when you were dating. For instance, you might consider wine tasting, trying a craft, or even something athletic like wakeboarding lessons.
9. Outdoor Shows
During this time of the year, there tends to be a lot of outdoor shows happening. This can make for the perfect date night. Best of all, many of these shows are free if offered by the community. If you have a large park that hosts concerts or movies, then this might be the best place to begin planning for your date nights. Of course, not every community offers this. Some do not have parks that facilitate shows while others do charge a fee. If you look around, you might be able to find a nearby community that offers activities, which can still keep your date night on the cheaper side. You might also consider finding a drive-thru theater to help you enjoy a nostalgic date in privacy.
10. Turn the Everyday Into a Date
If you’ve gone through your schedule and can’t seem to make a date night happen, then you can still turn everyday tasks into a date. You don’t have to go to great lengths. Instead, consider taking a trip to the grocery store together. As long as you turn it into something fun and make it a bonding experience then you can consider it a date. Even a date of watching TV together can help bring you closer. Try to find simple ways to add in the romance to bring the relationship up a notch. These low-effort dates can help you get more out of your month of dates even if life is too chaotic or you simply can’t get a sitter.
Date Your Mate Month can be a fantastic way to really concentrate on your relationship and have a little fun. This month is the perfect occasion to find time for your partner and ensure they know you still have time for them. These ideas should make it easy to keep your budget in check as you work to improve your relationship.
