Date night

Lexxi

I posted a while back to say that me and my husband had been having some problems. We are trying to sort through things.

One of the things that was suggested was that we have quality time together, we used to go out for meals or nights out as we worked long hours however I am trying to sort out my debts so don't want to be spending too much each week on eating out.

Trying to work out a budget, I was thinking £20 or under a week, this may seem a lot over the month but will include transport/petrol. Plus I'm hoping you lovely MSE'rs will come up with some free weeks too!

So far I have got DVD days, walks in the woods, orange wednesday and then I start to think about my favourite takeaway!

I work shifts so daytime suggestions are good too, if you have any.

Thanks in advance

System

When hubby started working away we made sure we had one night a week just between him and me. Though neither of us are that bothered about alcohol we just went off to a nice pub, somewhere where no one knew us and just chatted about our week. I got the low down about his work and he got the low down about the kids.

When things were !!!!!! between us (in the year 2000) he bought a motorbike and we'd go off on our own.

Havent really had a 'date night' for years now though and he doesnt have the bike.

I really miss that bike.:(

Kerria

Funnily enough, my hubby and I have just started doing this, making the effort to have our Date Nights every Thursday. We usually go out and are lucky enough to have quite a few “cheap and cheerful” pubs on our doorstep – Wetherspoons is favourite, as they do their “curry and a drink” offer on a Thursday night! We are on a budget too so this suits us.

If we get decent weather (rare, I know) we’ll have a barbecue at home. Other times we might have a takeaway and watch a DVD – just as long as we do our “something nice on a Thursday.”

Nottoobadyet

I need to get back into doing this. We used to try and go out to eat regularly or go and lounge by a pool on weekends, but now that cash is tight we like to:

- Take weekend trips on our motorbikes (mine is bigger but he can just about keep up ), staying in a hostel or coming back same day
- stay up late watching boxed sets on the projector from bed. Were sleep deprived for weeks thanks to the Wire! I live some place where boxed sets (ehem) are very cheap, but if the price is prohibitive I bet some of your friends have ones you can borrow? I like it better than films since you can keep it going for ages and can talk about whats going on in the series.
- I cook a posh meal in, usually 3 courses and he buys the wine
- Go dancing until stupid o'clock, neither of us drink much and both need to bike home so only costs a few quid!

I'd really like to start running together in the mornings with the dogs, but haven't gotten motivated yet.

newcook

do you both have bicycles? pack up a picnic and head off to the local park/woods

get dressed up and go to the pub but go seperately and pretend you dont know each other and its your first time meeting (you could even make up a whole new life/identity for yourself!)

go bowling or ice skating

Faith177

I think this is what me and OH need to start doing to. We NEVER see each other! He works so many hours and hardly ever gets days off and if he does then it's a weekday when I'm at work.

He is working away for the next 10 days I haven't spoken to him in 24 hours and I haven't seen him since Tuesday morning. He's asked for the first weekend he's back off and they said it's doubtfull.

It doesn't help that there are rumours flying about that he is about to be offered his first pub. Only downside it's in Reading 100 miles away from where we live. Relocation is not an option for me as I have a well paid job that I love and a house with a mortgage So looks like I'll see him once a month if I'm lucky.

As for date nights or day things where abouts are you? The picnic idea sounds good. Sign up for the moneysaving e-mail if you haven't already as that gives you offers on dinining out and some of them are really good. Also look in M&S & Tescos as they do their meal deals 2 starters, 2 mains & a bottle of wine I think for £10. If you have Sky or something like that choose a film to record and keep for date night.

creased-leach

I'd be tempted to try & do a few weeks on the cheap- say spending a fiver on a picnic or something- and saving up the rest of the money for a cheap hotel for a night, that way it's real alone time, and extra special.

I can sympathise- my partner works away for a couple of months at a time and then we may only get a week or so together. Building in some time for your relationship is necessary!

tea_lover

Picnics are a great idea, as are keeping an eye out for restaurant vouchers. We used to go to steak night at Wetherspoons (tuesday) quite a bit but haven't been for ages.

If you have some time in the daytime places like bowling alleys or ice rinks are often cheaper than in the evenings. Tesco day out vouchers are great too - you could try a theme park, stately home, heritage railway.... whatever floats your boat really!

We like just going for a walk, especially if it involves a country pub at some point.

Erinnire

Board games & jigsaw puzzles can be easily picked up from charity shops fairly cheap if you have to stay in, don't sound like the most exciting things in the world but nice to have a chat over as its not to attention labouring.

daisiegg

We used to have one 'date night' a week (it didn't usually actually involve leaving the house but we still did something special) but we got out of the habit for ages. We are trying to get back into this (tonight is this week's!) because I think it's a really good thing to do. It is so easy to fall into the habit of eating dinner on the sofa (this is our terrible failing) and watching tv. At least 'date night' will ensure that we have *ahem* 'couple time' once a week, at least! Lol...

Nan63

Erinnire wrote: »

Board games & jigsaw puzzles can be easily picked up from charity shops fairly cheap if you have to stay in, don't sound like the most exciting things in the world but nice to have a chat over as its not to attention labouring.

This is a great idea, you would actually get to talk to one another and you would be amazed at how much fun it can be. My husband and I have a games night each Tuesday and we never miss it - we have been known to decline invitations to keep up 'our tradition'.

All well and good having an M&S dine for £10 and then watching a film, but doesn't that sound like any other night? Dinner and then slumped in front of the telly?

Try pamper night for the 2 of you. Nice relaxing bath together perhaps a massage afterwards?

Turn off the telly and put your music on. Take it turns to choose the music, reminisce about the music you enjoyed when you were younger or just getting together. Have a dance around your lounge!

Save on the weekly takeaway and once a month, dress up and go out to a nice restaurant. As other posters have said, look out for money off vouchers to make it more MSE friendly.

Take up a sport together? Do you have a sports centre nearby, do they do badminton, swimming etc? Most offer cheaper rates during the off-peak times during the day.

How about a dance class once a week?

That's me for now but I'll be back if I think of more!

I hope it all works out for you Lexxi and your date night becomes a regular feature