10 Budget Friendly Holiday Date Nights

Date Ideas, budget

Preparing for the holidays can be stressful, especially for couples. There’s meals to plan, travel arrangements to make, gifts to buy, and lots of parties to attend. So taking some time out for just the two of you is essential this month. But with all that holiday spending you’ve been doing, your wallet can often feel a little bit lighter than usual. I know mine does.

So if you’re wallet is a bit light this month, here are some holiday date night ideas that are budget friendly:

Have a Winter Picnic

You don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy a romantic picnic together. Spread out a few pillows and blankets on the living room floor and enjoy all your winter favorites like hot chocolate and apple pie.

Spend S’more Time Together

What better way to spend some more time together this season than with some s’mores. Enjoy a fun night at home making s’mores complete with Christmas music in the background. Bonus points if you toast the marshmallows in the fireplace.

Deck the Halls

Nothing will get you and your significant other into the holiday spirit more than decking the halls. So breakout the Christmas lights and ornaments and make your house sparkle. Or if you prefer, spend the night decking the halls of a gingerbread house. You can even complete the night by making gingerbread min-mes.

Walk in a Winter Wonderland

Christmas is the perfect time to take a stroll around your neighborhood or in the park. Christmas lights and decorations will lights your way, while adding a little romance to your walk.

Window Shop

The window displays around the holidays are definitely something to marvel at, especially in big cities like New York and London. Grab your sweetie and talk about all the things you’d put under the tree if money was no object. The skies the limit with this shopping trip.

Go Sledding

If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where your Christmas is white, break out the sled and race on down the hills. No sled? Don’t worry. Just break out the trash can lid. I guarantee you’ll be laughing the whole time.

Christmas Movie Night

If staying inside is more your style, snuggle up on the couch for a Christmas movie marathon. It’s a great chance to introduce each other to your childhood favorites and start a new tradition.

Hold Down the Fort

Get in touch with your inner child this year by building a fort in your living room. Add a bit of Christmas lights and make it really special. I know we’ve all been dying to do this, so why not hold down the fort with your love.

Play Some Reindeer Games

Okay, maybe not actual reindeer games. But, break out all those board games and have a good ole’ fashion game night. If you really want to spice things up, turn it into a tournament with a prize for the person who wins the most games.

A Christmas Story Time

Choose a few of your favorite Christmas stories to read together. Or introduce each other to your favorite authors. Cuddling up by the fire with a few good books will make for a wonderful night in.

What are some of your favorite holiday date nights? Will you be trying any of these?

  • http://anothercleanslate.com Kate

    We still need to walk through the city and look at the lights. I can’t believe how quickly time is flying!

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      I know! I can’t believe Christmas is next week. Things are so busy and crazy right now.

  • http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com kristen

    such great ideas. i haven’t been able to convince my husband to watch any christmas movies this year, but i’m not pushing it because we are going to be doing tons of christmassy things in nyc. i have never been sledding! we do something similar at home during the summer down the sand dunes which is just as fun, i’d imagine.

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      Oh, sledding down the sand dunes sounds like so much fun! Troy isn’t all that into Christmas movies either, but I have managed to get him to watch Arthur Christmas and Four Christmases with me. :)

  • http://brokeandbougie.blogspot.com Lindsay T.

    cute ideas! Love these! I always wanted to have an indoor picnic but it’s not such a good idea with the dogs haha!

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      Dogs definitely make it challenging! My pups are always keeping a close eye to see what they can get. :)

  • http://www.foodboozeandbaggage.com Mariah-Food, Booze, & Baggage

    Great ideas!! We are definitely doing some of these things this season :)

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      Christmas makes it so easy to enjoy some budget friendly dates. Now, if only the month didn’t go by so fast!

  • http://thepineapplecake.com Andrea @ The Pineapple Cake

    I really want some cold weather so i can do all of these.
    I am thinking about doing a Christmas in July next year (really small of course) and these would be wonderful activities to include in the colder weather.

    We have been doing some Christmas movies recently… i think tonight is the night I break out Love Actually. So it’s lookin like it might be date night in our house. :)

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      Christmas in July sounds like an awesome idea! It’s a great way to enjoy the feeling of Christmas during the winter in Australia. :) Unfortunately, the cold weather didn’t last in Texas, so it’s not feeling very Christmas-y here either. :(

      Love Actually is so perfect for date night! I love that movie. I’ve already watched it a couple of times this month. Hah.

  • http://www.lifeaccordingtosteph.com SMD @ Life According to Steph

    Great ideas! We love to walk around our neighborhood (or drive in the really cold years) looking at lights.

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      Troy and I did that this weekend! :) That’s one of the reasons I love living in a neighborhood.

  • http://www.mookieslife.com Mookie Moo

    Great tips!!! Mike and I are going on a “winter picnic” next weekend if the weather allows it. English winter is not very accommodating for spending quality time outdoors. 😉

    • http://www.wanderlyn.com Eternally WanderLyn

      That sounds lovely! I hope that the weather allows you a bit of romance. 😉 If not, spread out a blanket inside and cozy up for a warm picnic (and romance) right in your flat. Troy and I have definitely done this one! It’s a little harder with dogs, though. LOL.