Things Couples can do....

Warriorsith

Hello

Just want to know if you lot have ideas on what a couple who live on a budget can do together,with or without a 2 year old in tow. The cheaper it is the better, little romantic gestures would be helpful, but things I my OH can do together.

lynzpower

love letters to each other cost nothing - and of course bedroom time is free

We like to go for long walks, feed the ducks, wander round museums.

Were lucky in london theres stacks of free festivals & music events, but then others are lucky elsewhere in many respects .

We like nosing round chairty shops, boot sales, jumble sales etc

Making nice food and having romantic meals

Watching tarted DVDs

And the best, talking

Bargain_Rzl

Yep, the most obvious thing is free - so long as you go to the FPC first for free contraception (else you could find it ends up costing a fortune over the next 20 years )

wishingonastar_3

a picnic in the park is a good idea on a budget with a small one in tow, lots of room for them to burn off energy, only cost is food for picnic.

rchddap1

Picnics. Actually had a bit of a picnic a few days ago with a teenaged step daughter of mine. I had a wonderful time

Warriorsith

Hey, Thanks for those ideas, anyone here on the graveyard shift got anymore?

Dr.Lou

The beach, castles, countryside and parks, free / orange wednesday cinema tickets, city/ community farms, explore a town you've never been to before, tea in the garden, camping, go for a drive, chat about your hopes and dreams, £10/nt travelodge rooms on special offer, cycling, swimming, sign up for a course together.

piglet6

I think that the ideas above are great and am racking my brains to think of more...:think:

Your local library might be a good place to check out - free reading is always good (although not a "together" activity for you and OH, storytime can be fun for one of you with your 2 year old) but lots of them run free sessions for children, and its never too early to get your little one interested in books. Also, lots of libraries have noticeboards with handy notices advertising of other free events, summer fetes, jumble sales, coffee mornings, toddler groups, etc, etc.

Also, for your little one, it may be worth looking into your local Sure Start Scheme (if you have one). I'm afraid I can't be more help on this as I don't have kids but I do live opposite a Sure Start Scheme (which appears to be very well-equipped and staffed, and as I understand it is either free or very cheap for activities - may be worth a quick google!).

Also, don't underestimate the option which may seem "boring" or "cheap" to you when it comes to entertaining your little one. When I was little, I used to wake up very early (4.30am/5am - what a little horror I was!!:eek: ) and in an effort to allow my poor father to stay in bed a little longer each morning (given that he was the wage earner and had to put in a long day at work!) my mum used to get up with me and we used to have a "picnic" downstairs in the dining room in the mornings._party_ This was usually a tea-towel spread on the floor, with a couple of teddies sitting round to make up the numbers(!) and we would eat jam or marmite sandwiches, cut up into tiny squares, with a few biscuits and a drink of milk. Super easy, very cheap, and my mother always said she was amazed that I was so easy to please - but when you are little, it doesn't always take the most expensive option...!!;)

Piglet

Brassic

We play cards a lot. Not sure about romantic gestures though - I suppose you could turn it into strip poker

KittyKate

Don't forget to take a look on your local council's website - they list all the local free events, museums, art galleries, nature trails etc and even the buses that go to them if you need it!

Also why not have a pamper night - my OH loves his nails filed and a face mask once a month (even men like to look good!)

Have 'cinema night' - sign up for a free DVD trial or borrow movies from friends, buy corn to pop (very very cheap), make ice lollies and little fun snacks so you can pig out but it's not expensive - try a fondue, just melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water (keep stirring it!)

Visit family you've been meaning to see for ages.

Take your little one to a local pond or river to see the ducks/swans, make paper boats to float - kids love water!

Learn something new together - say get a cookbook from the library, or learn to knit (great for xmas pressies) or learn to paint or play an instrument.

Spring clean and anything sellable you forgot you had, put on ebay (we made loads selling stuff we found in a cupboard!) the thrill of it selling is fun in itself.

If you're near to an airport, take your 2 year old to the observation point to watch the planes take off and land (they love this! - i live near leeds airport and I went there to watch, it was fun!)

Can't think of any more but good luck, there looks lots of choice

Toto

We never eat out at restauants so one day while OH was at work I turned our dining room into a romantic restaurant. Cooked a nice meal,all his favourite foods, ingredients bought from markets etc. printed out a menu in french (he is french canadian) actually I got some words a bit wrong and he thought it was the cutest thing ever. Put some garden flowers (more like pretty weeds lol) on the table. music, candles. I dressed up as if I were going to the poshest place ever and it all cost me about £5 for the meal. He said it was the most thoughtful and romantic thing anyone had ever done for him.