While lockdown three might be coming to an end, there are some things that the pandemic has taught us that we won’t be forgetting about in a hurry. Lockdown taught us to embrace a new way of life, where staying in became the new going out. And while we’re just as excited as anybody to hit the town as soon as it’s safe to do so, we’ve quite enjoyed the element of saving money that came from being in lockdown.
If you’re known for having eyes bigger than your bank balance, then you’ve probably surprised yourself over how much you’ve managed to cut back on spending during lockdown. Dates with your other half can quickly add up, and if you have a weekly habit of going out for meals or taking trips to the cinema, then just think about how much that will add up to in the long run.
With that being said, date nights are still incredibly important for couples. After you’ve been dating for a while, it can be easy to take your partner for granted, and that ‘spark’ you experienced at the beginning may begin to die out. Taking time to go on your dates with your partner can help to remind you both of why you fell in love in the first place. By going out every so often, you help to reinforce the importance of your relationship.
Quality time with your partner is important- and if you’re on a budget, you shouldn’t feel like you have to cancel date night completely. You can host a decadent date night right from your very home- and as well as saving money, you have the benefits of having a COVID safe night- which could come in handy if we enter (dare we say it) lockdown number four. Here are some great date night ideas which you can try out in the comfort of your own home:
Enjoy A Casino Night
If you and your partner enjoy spending time gabling together, then why not bring the casino to your own home? The plus side to this is that you won’t have to bother getting dressed up- and since you’re at home, you can better manage your spending to stay on budget.
Safety is important when using online casinos, and one sure way to keep your money secure is by using a casino that accepts PayPal payments. Sites like Online Casinos provide a list of the top-rated gambling sites in the UK. They have the up-to-date details for the best places you can gamble at using PayPal, meaning that you can easily find a great option for your date night.
Host Your Own Movie Night
Trips to the cinema are always fun, but is there anything really better than watching a movie at home? At the cinema, you have to sit through adverts, people getting in the way of the screen, and that annoying person behind you who won’t stop sniffing. You also don’t have the biggest flexibility with film times, meaning that you may have to rush your dinner beforehand.
By contrast, at home you can stick to your own schedule. In fact, you can even eat your dinner while watching the movie, if you so desire. You won’t have to zone out during any adverts, and since the only person you’ll be sitting with if your partner, you should (hopefully) be able to enjoy a silent and distraction-free experience.
Movie nights are one of the cheapest dates from home you can host, since most people these days already have a Netflix account. To really make things special, you could decorate your living room with fairy lights and bring down your cosiest blankets to wrap up in. Don’t forget your favourite snacks, too! Popcorn always goes down a treat.
Prepare A Posh Dinner
Meals out may be nice, but with the average cost of a 3 course meal coming to around £28.59 per person (excluding drinks and gratuity) meals out aren’t exactly the most budget-friendly. Cooking for yourselves is a much cheaper option- and it doesn’t have to be boring.
The options for cooking from home are endless. You could buy a new recipe book and challenge yourself by cooking something a little different, or how about creating a menu for your partner and treating them to three or five courses of home cooked delicacies?
You could even go all out and decorate your dining area in the style of a posh restaurant. Again, you don’t have to spend much- a white tablecloth and a couple of candles will be more than enough. To make things really fun, you could dress up as if you were dining at a fancy restaurant. There’s nothing more attractive than seeing your partner in a suit and tie!
Have A Games Night
Board games are another great way to spend some quality time with your partner. While it might be difficult to find board games to play for two, you can always adapt the rules of other games- or why not try making up your own game? You could also make up a fun quiz or trivia to test how well your partner knows you.
Make Your Own Cocktails
One of the most expensive date nights you can go on has to be at a bar. If you’re a lover of cocktails, then you’ll know first-hand just how expensive these drinks are. Two-for-one nights can help, but if you plan on having more than a couple of drinks, then your night certainly isn’t going to be budget friendly!
Instead of going out to a bar, why not bring the bar to your home? You can find pretty much any recipe online that will tell you the exact ingredients and method behind making your favourite cocktail.
Making cocktails can be a fun bonding experience with your significant other. It’s a chance to try something new together and get silly. Chances are, your drinks aren’t going to taste like the ones you’d get at a bar- but that’s all part of the fun!
