This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CWU chapter.
When it comes to dates there’s the typical dinner and a movie. That can be fun, but it’s even more fun when your partner wants to be creative with ideas for date night. I’m all about cute, spontaneous and out-of-the-box ideas that you can take your spin on. I’m also the girl who is on a budget and I think a lot of us can agree, that staying in cannot always be fun, but this gives you a chance to have the same fun, adorable date night, but ballin’ on a budget. Here are a few of my favorite ideas.
- Backyard Picnic – The weather is finally starting to feel like spring and there’s nothing more romantic to me than a picnic. With the right setting, it makes the night or day. Pack each other’s favorite foods and enjoy.
- Board Game Night – I grew up on weekly game nights in my household. From Uno to Scrabble, games were a way that we bonded. My boyfriend is currently obsessed with chess, and I think a night like this with an actual chessboard, he can teach me the ways.
- Sporting Event at Home – I’m back into watching sports like I was as a kid, baseball, basketball, football, NASCAR. Find your favorite sporting event and cook your favorite game-day snacks. Fried pickles and wings anyone? Don’t forget the beer.
- Movie Roulette – You’ve probably seen the wheels that couples create on an app to decide where they’re going to dinner. Movie roulette should be just as important. Pick your favorite types of movies. Mine would have to be horror, war, and romantic comedies. I know, quite a range. Spin the wheel and see where your streaming services take you.
- Paint & Sip – I put this surprise together for date night for my boyfriend. I made dinner, cocktails, then set up canvases and all the paint and brushes. I was a little skeptical about if he would be into it but I forgot that dating a civil engineer that his creative side was bursting. All those bridges, parking lots, and housing developments that are being designed took a backseat when it came to the masterpiece he created. You might be surprised how into painting they get.
- Cozy Firepit and Smores – Who doesn’t love a fire pit, it’s mesmerizing and cozy. Now add smores to the mix and you are in literal heaven. Grab some chairs, blankets, marshmallow forks, and your favorite smores toppings.
- Pizza your Heart – Funny, I know. But seriously, pizza is a way too many hearts. Making your pizza can be a lot of fun, especially together. Create one big one or two personal-sized ones. You can never go wrong with a good pie.
- Game on – Video games are such a foreign language to me. To guys, it is like speaking pure English. If my boyfriend can show me the ropes, or the swords or whatever the weapons of choice are it could make for a fun, yelling at the TV kind of night.
- Black & White, with Takeout – Old movies are one of my favorites, especially some black and white ones, but also westerns. Turn a movie night into a throwback with a side of your guilty pleasure takeout food.
- First Date – The best first date I ever went on was with you, you know who you are. I will never understand how I found the diamond in the rough when it came to Tinder. You were a gentleman from the start and took me to my favorite restaurant here in Ellensburg, Pasta Co., and gave me a night full of chemistry-filled conversation. Recreate your first date, but at home.
- Charcuterie – The adult lunchable. I’m obsessed with a charcuterie board. Make your mini boards with the other’s favorite munchies and test your food design skills.
- DIY Mini Golf – Going out to mini golf is a fun date idea. But making your course with what you have can make it challenging. Who doesn’t love a challenge? Test your skills on your own designed putt-putt.
Date night at home does not have to be a bummer, get creative, get out of your comfort zone. Get to know your significant other on different levels. Make dating a fun adventure.