Have a Frugal Romantic Evening at Home

When we first begin dating we usually find that romance is never in short supply. When we first get together we are so happy to be near the other person that just sitting in the same room can be as much fun as an expensive dinner out. As we get older and settle in together we often forget how easy romance used to come and we think that if we can’t go out to dinner or see a play or catch a movie that it isn’t worth it. We get lost in our lives, our kids, our jobs, and we forget that romance doesn’t cost anything at all.

Relationships take work, you can’t just expect them to work without putting any work into them. You have to keep making time for each other even when it seems like there isn’t any time left to take. This gets even more difficult if you have a demanding job, children, or little to no money. While there are many options for frugal date ideas, you can also have a romantic evening at home and spend little to nothing. Make your relationship a priority so that you become a team that is walking through life together.

1. Plan around the kids for a romantic evening at home. Have your date night on an evening when the kids are at a friend’s house, school activity, or at their grandparents. If you have no choice but to have them home then plan your evening for after they go to bed or have older children stay in the basement or in their room for an hour or two.

2. Cook your significant other’s favorite dish for dinner or whip up something new. A meal at home will cost you nothing extra as you would have had to cook anyway but you can make it extra special by setting the table with your best dishes and a tablecloth and placing a few candles around instead of using the overhead light.

3. Get dressed up for your romantic evening at home. Just because you aren’t going anywhere doesn’t mean you can’t look good for each other, especially if your significant other sees you in nothing but sweats and t-shirts. Put on the clothes you would wear to dinner out, do your hair and makeup if you are a girl, and spray on your favorite scent.

4. Get a good bottle of wine for your romantic evening. You don’t have to spend a great deal but if you are willing to experiment you can find a decent bottle for under $10, my favorite is currently a $6 bottle of wine! Look at local wineries in your area to see if they may have a better deal. If you purchase a bottle and don’t care for it, use it for cooking instead of throwing it out!

5. Bring fresh flowers to the evening. Fresh flowers can be picked in the garden before dinner or you can purchase a small bundle for a few dollars at your local florist. You don’t have to have roses, go with whatever is cheapest and colorful.

6. Put on some soft music. Instead of the usual cacophony of sounds you find in homes, put on some romantic music and listen to each other. This is one of my favorite parts of a romantic evening because you can do this part and no others and still have a wonderful time! If you find that an entire dinner is just too much, then try to find even a half hour to sit with your loved one and listen to some music while you talk about your day.

Romantic evenings at home don’t have to cost anything as long as you remember it is about spending time together and loving each other and not about how much you spent.