Peanut Butter Fingers

Living a Life Fueled by Healthy Food and Fitness

Navigation
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Who’s Who
    • All About NASM
    • Disclaimer
    • Wedding
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy + Baby #2
    • Pregnancy + Baby #3
    • Miscarriages
  • Baby
  • Shop + Favs
    • My Amazon Shop
    • Codes + Discounts
    • Books
    • Blogging
  • Travel
    • Orlando & Florida
    • Blog Travel

12 Inexpensive Date Ideas

July 31, 2013 by Julie 95 Comments

A few weeks ago, when I blogged about the date night idea jar that I included in the engagement gift basket that I gave to my sister, a bunch of you asked me to share the 12 surprise date ideas that I included in the jar.

I tried my best to personalize the date ideas to make them specifically appeal to Leslie and Ross, but I did my best to share a handful of the date ideas I had for them that I hope will appeal to most of you below. I then filled in the blanks with a few more ideas that popped into my head based on past inexpensive dates Ryan and I have enjoyed together.

12 inexpensive date ideas

Happy dating!

  1. With a $15 – $20 budget, split up for two hours and pick up fun little things you think the other person would love, like their favorite cupcake from a local cupcake shop, a new pair of boxers, etc. Exchange the goodie bags at the end of two hours!
  2. Look for new hiking trails close to where you live. Swing by a local sub shop and pick up sandwiches to bring with you to enjoy halfway through your hike.
  3. On a Saturday morning, sleep in before heading out to a local coffee shop to order hot coffee or tea and start the day off slow together. Take time to hang out for an hour and catch up!
  4. Visit local food trucks together and have fun ordering a bunch of small dishes and trying new local food.
  5. While one of you looks for a new dinner recipe, have the other person look for a new dessert recipe. Go to the grocery store to buy the ingredients you need and spend time preparing your dishes in the kitchen together.
  6. Have an “ice cream for dinner” night! Either buy your favorite kind of ice cream at the grocery store (plus tons of toppings!) or visit a local hot spot.
  7. Spend a day at the pool together. Bring plenty of sunscreen, water and your favorite magazines.
  8. Have a “game night” at home with just the two of you. Great games for two people include Scrabble, mancala and tons of card games!
  9. Enjoy a heavy hors d’oeuvre night outside. Crack open a bottle of wine and enjoy it with your favorite cheese, crackers, olives and more.
  10. Go to a local restaurant known for their good food and low prices. Order for each other!
  11. See if your local Whole Foods or specialty food store offers free cooking classes and sign up to take one together.
  12. Drive to your local RedBox and pick out a movie to watch at home together. Choose one of these creative popcorn recipes to make and enjoy while you watch!

 

Question of the Morning

  • What is your idea of a perfect date?

I love dates that include some kind of an activity! I absolutely love going out to dinner and all that jazz, but my favorite dates with Ryan are dates that have us out and about, exploring a new area or trying a new activity.

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Breakfast, Date Night Tagged With: breakfast, date ideas, date night

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« Sweatastic
You Choose: Reebok Shoe Giveaway »

Comments

  1. Sara says

    July 31, 2013 at 11:51 am

    We love to play tennis! Awesome date because it’s free. We also like going to the farmer’s market and buying stuff for breakfast that day, and dinner that night!

    Reply
    • Lou says

      July 31, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Those are both great ideas! I’m always looking for some free or cheap dates!

      Reply
  2. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    I love the food truck and “ice cream for dinner” ideas. Clearly, I like food! 😉

    Reply
  3. char eats greens says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Those are definitely some cute ideas!!!

    Reply
  4. Jenny says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    I love comedy shows. They always crack me up and you leave feeling rejuvenated and in a great mood. Then go off to dinner and cap off the night with some great food and some great conversation!

    Reply
  5. Livi says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    I love all your ideas! dating as a college student can be hard- the $$$ just isn’t there! so me and the boy are always looking for cheap ideas!
    One of our favorites is to go to Whole Foods and pick some cheeses from the ‘bit basket’- its the small pieces left over from cutting cheese. it’s a fun way to try lots because you can get 3-4 cheese at only $3-4 a piece! Add some salad from the food bar, some fresh bread, and you have a delicious dinner you can eat there or even take for a picnic!

    Reply
  6. Victoria says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Cute ideas! We do the appetizer and wine nights a lot. It’s fun to just nosh on a bunch of stuff and enjoy some wine.

    Reply
  7. Miranda @ Miranda Runs says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I love these!! Christian and I are young and broke so cheap dates are perfect for us!

    Reply
  8. Christine@ Apple of My Eye says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Love the date ideas! I’ve done a couple of them, like getting some subs to take on a long hike, but love the idea of splitting a meal into two! I love watching my man cook ;). Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  9. Caitie @ twentytwofit says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Love those date ideas! Especially the Saturday morning coffee one 🙂 my favorite date with my guy is going out and doing something fun and competitive together! either at the shooting range (I’m terrible at it), the batting cages, or going to shoot hoops. they might not be glamourous but they are fun!

    Reply
  10. Ashley @ BrocBlog says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Those are all such cute ideas! I love the idea of picking stuff out for each other with a budget or cooking new things together. Sometimes we like to walk to the farmers market (which is a mile from my house on sundays) and get a nice coffee or tea there and walk around for a bit.

    Reply
  11. Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    I love those date ideas! My favorite date is when we can indulge in a really good dinner out, complete with wine and dessert. If we’re being budget-conscious I love going to the beach for a few hours and stopping by a frozen yogurt shop after.

    Reply
  12. Lou says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    I just made a date jar for my husband and me. We’re always asking each other, “What do you want to do tonight?” I put about 20 free or cheap date ideas in there, and when we’re bored, we can pick one out and then after we’ve done it, we drop it into the “done” jar. Since I put all of the date ideas in there, I told my husband he could write a few of his own ideas down and add them! I’m curious to see his ideas……

    Reply
  13. Priya S. says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Can you please post all your meals from one day? Like a healthy intake sort of post

    Reply
  14. Kaitlyn says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  15. Mari @ Food for Life says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    These are awesome ideas! I’m definitely going to have to keep these handy.

    Reply
  16. Jessica says

    July 31, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    These are great ideas! Sometimes I forget that a great date doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Also, sometimes me and my husband get in the rut that “there is not much to do in this town.” You sometimes just have to be open and creative. Thank you for the list!

    My favorite date is something called First Fridays. Every first Friday of the month local art galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops will highlight a local artist. They always have little snacks, wine, and desserts. It’s fun to go shop to shop and see the art and have a cheap dinner.

    Reply
  17. Kristina @Run and Assimilate says

    July 31, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Those ideas are great, I may just copy the jar idea. My boyfriend and I are so indecisive, we always have too many ideas and never just pick one!

    My perfect date is a slow night at a winery or a fall morning at a coffee shop.

    Reply
  18. Kimberly says

    July 31, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    We love to do anything active – tennis, go carting, mini golf, tubing at the river etc. I feel like having fun together helps our relationship so much and we’re free of at-home distractions like the phone or TV. These are AWEOSME ideas!

    Reply
  19. Annette@FitnessPerks says

    July 31, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    These are such fun ideas! We also love browsing in stores together just for fun–Ikea & Ross are fun places to do that!

    I think it’s fab to go on hikes or picnics too 🙂

    Reply
  20. Shel@PeachyPalate says

    July 31, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Something active…and out doors followed by something yummy to eat..I actually prefer cooking with a date, it’s more of a bonding experience 🙂

    Reply
  21. Cassie @RedLetterDaye says

    July 31, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    I like hiking together- getting away from everything and everyone. But travelling anyplace or doing anything new together is fun, and creates lasting memories better than the old dinner and a movie.

    Reply
  22. Renee says

    July 31, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    Those are all such cute date night ideas! I’m totally stealing that first one where you each go off and buy the other person something (or multiple things!) for 20 bucks or under, and then exchange them later. So precious

    Reply
  23. Emily says

    July 31, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    You’re like me — almost all date ideas involve food! 😉

    Reply
  24. Brooke @ Running In Heels says

    July 31, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    SO fun!! I am definitey going to steal this idea for my boyfriend, if it’s okay 🙂

    Reply
  25. Alison says

    July 31, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    Absolutely adorable and brilliant ideas! I will definitely keep these in mind when friends/family get engaged!
    And that breakfast looks like goat cheese heaven–YUM.

    Reply
  26. Rachel @ Health My Lifestyle says

    July 31, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    Goat cheese is good on everything but I don’t know why I never thought of on eggs before! I’ll have to try that!

    My favorite dates are when my boyfriend and I go grocery shopping together and then make a meal at home. It’s so fun cooking something new together. And it’s even better when it turns out to be a new favorite recipe!

    Reply
  27. Sarah @ A Refining Adventure says

    August 1, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Great ideas! It’s always good to hear date ideas from other people. I feel like we sometimes get stuck in a rut, doing the same things over and over. Your eggs DO sound scrumptious! I’ve been loving bell peppers lately.

    Reply
  28. Susan C. says

    August 1, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Great list!

    Hiking is definitely a fun one. My bf and I absolutely love walking through trials and just spending that quiet time together – plus the view is always awesome.

    We love going to places, like the museum or art gallery, that offer discounted prices (e.g., student pricing).

    Even cooking together is such a nice moment to spend with each other. I mean, who does love food?

    Susan Loves…

    Reply
  29. Allison says

    August 5, 2013 at 10:30 am

    great ideas especially when I’m trying to save for a wedding!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. You Choose: Reebok Shoe Giveaway | Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    July 31, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    […] love the inexpensive date ideas you guys added to my morning […]

    Reply
  2. Best of the Week: Round 3 says:
    August 2, 2013 at 6:40 am

    […] 12 Inexpensive Date Ideas via Peanut Butter Fingers […]

    Reply
  3. Friday Favorites — Sweets n Sweat says:
    August 3, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    […] 12 Inexpensive Date Ideas! I love this post on PB Fingers! I think it’s drilled into our head that (at our house anyway) on the rare occasion we do get to go out on a date, we have to go all out. Spending money can be fun, don’t get me wrong, but I actually think that couples would treat themselves, especially parents, to these inexpensive dates more because they won’t feel guilty for spending a ton of money. I am always begging my husband to play a game with me. It usually ends up being Monopoly and I suck at it every time because I do not have a strategic bone in my body. But, I love the time we spend together. I can’t wait until Maddox is old enough to play some of my favorite childhood games! […]

    Reply
  4. Bean Bytes 49 says:
    August 5, 2013 at 12:00 am

    […] date ideas: 12 inexpensive date ideas via Peanut Butter […]

    Reply
  5. Fit, Focused, and Fun Finds (from around the web!) | Fitful Focus says:
    August 8, 2013 at 12:12 am

    […] Ideas Inexpensive Date Nights! – via PB […]

    Reply
  6. Happy Valentine’s Day! | MILES WITH MEGHANN says:
    February 14, 2017 at 9:38 am

    […] If you’re still in need of some quick, easy and inexpensive date ideas check out this post. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
NEVER MISS A POST!
FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestBloglovin
Follow

Search

Recent Fashion Finds

Beauty Favorites

Items I Swear By

Shop Our Kid Favorites

Shop My Baby Essentials

Quick Links

  • Favorite Posts
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Fashion
  • Pregnancy/Baby
  • Family

Recent Posts

  • Meeting Luke and Visiting Family in Florida
  • Cinnamon Ice Cream
  • All the Books I’ve Read So Far in 2023
  • First Charlotte FC Game + Lazy Sunday
  • Things I’m Loving Friday #461

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. I DO NOT post everything I eat. Though I am a certified personal trainer, the workouts I post may not be right for you. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your current routine.

Affiliates

Please note that affiliate links may pop up on PBF from time to time. I greatly appreciate your support!
Privacy Policy

Copyright � 2013 Peanut Butter Fingers / Julie Fagan. All Rights Reserved.
Blog Designed by SWOON CREATIVE