Not-so-cheap, but still easy
If you’re willing to invest a little more cash, you’ll be rewarded with a date night (or date day) you’ll never forget:
- Sign up for a 5K. As if sweating together wasn’t sexy enough, a typical 5K should only run you $20-$30 — and you get a free T-shirt.
- Sign up for a dance class. An old favorite like salsa dancing lessons is always a win, or try a line-dancing or urban dance class to push you right out of your comfort zone.
- Dinner and a fantasy. Taking dinner-and-a-movie to the next level, sex and relationship expert Dr. Megan Stubbs suggests talking about your wildest fantasies over dinner and heading to an adult store after. Instead of spending money on an activity, save your budget for those new bedroom accessories you’ve always wanted to try.
- Dinner with a stranger. Speaking of bringing fantasies to life, Stubbs has another twist on the traditional dinner-and-a-movie date, and it involves the hottest kind of role-play. “Pretend to be strangers and pick each other up at the local bar,” she says.
- Coffee shop crawl. Because coffee shops are hipper than ever, and a sober date is always a good thing, take a morning or afternoon to try as many local coffee digs as you can. (And switch to decaf if things get too intense.)
- Fondue night. Forget the fancy fondue restaurants that are going to cost you an arm and a leg. You can do it all at home for the cost of a fondue pot and some fancy cheese or chocolate with something to dip in it. You can also scoop up a second-hand fondue pot at Goodwill if you’re stealthy enough. Pro tip: Try at least one run-through to master the consistency of your cheese, chocolate and hot oil courses before the big date.
- Afternoon adventure. Sometimes, reigniting that spark really is as simple as getting out of your familiar environment. Rosalind Sedacca, author and dating and relationship coach, says, “Take a local train ride to a scenic or historic area about an hour away from home. Stroll through the streets, pick up a sandwich lunch and picnic in a nearby park, visit the shops and galleries, then take the train back.” During a low-key afternoon getaway, you’re going to get plenty of time to talk and connect, while being stimulated by the people, sights and sounds.
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Super-romantic splurges to save for a special occasion
With a birthday, anniversary or holiday coming up, it’s time to pull out the big guns.
- Rent an unbelievable Airbnb. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave your city to do this. Just increase your Airbnb filter prices and book that high-rise loft, luxury cabin or local mansion you’ve been drooling over.
- Get front-row concert tickets. If your partner’s been dying to see Metallica since middle school, this may be the time to drop a few Benjamins to score the best seats in the house.
- Have a spa day. Regardless of gender, any human is going to love being pampered from head-to-toe on your dime. Many spa facilities will allow you to bring your own wine, fruit and cheese to snack on in between treatments.
- Go skydiving. Even if you don’t consider yourself a thrill-seeker, that shared rush of adrenaline is sure to bond you for life. And if your partner happens to be an adventure junkie, seeing you take the plunge will be a huge turn-on.
- Take a wine tour. These days, wineries are everywhere, not just in lux spots like Napa Valley. If you have several wineries in your neck of the woods, consider booking an afternoon wine tour with tastings included, or pay to ride a wine tour bus.
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