Did you know May is ‘Date Your Mate’ Month?? It’s true! I read it on the internet, so
it has to be true, right?!?! OK, so even if it ends up not being an official month-long holiday, or at least not a celebrated one, why can’t we make it part of our May this year? It would be fun, wouldn’t it? I think so! So, in honor of ‘Date Your Mate’ Month, here are some fun and cheap ways to celebrate:
Have a picnic! Make some PB&Js or yummy tomato sandwiches (‘sammiches,’ as I call them), pack some snacks and water, grab a sheet, head to the park and enjoy the outdoors! Enjoy people watching, kids playing, listen to the birds and just enjoy each other’s company. Precautions: take bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, more water, an umbrella (just in case) and maybe a hat if you’ll be in the sun a lot.
Find the dollar movies (or cheap movie theaters in your area) and enjoy an older movie. No, these won’t be the newest Blockbuster films, but you can usually find a good one to enjoy for a fraction of the cost! If you’ve already seen it, sit in the back row and (quietly) make out–just like when you were a highschooler! Now THAT’S date night!
Take Mary Poppin’s advice:
“Let’s go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let’s go fly a kite!”
Yes, now that will be fun! You can find super cheap kites at dollar stores, yard sales, etc., and a fairly decent one won’t cost too 
much (and can be used again! Unless you’re like me…). Even better, you can make your own, as shown on MyBestKites.com! Whaaaat? THAT is quality time! And, if you survive that, you’ll definitely enjoy flying the kite together.
Scrapbook! You have so many awesome digital photos, as well as all of those photos 
in your shoebox, so take some time and create a scrapbook! You can get great deals on scrapbook products (like Michael’s 40%-50% off an item, plus Ebates currently gives you 7% cash back when you shop online at Michael’s), but you can also make your own with cheap supplies like construction paper, string (to bind), magazine headlines and glue. Not only are you spending time together and getting your creativity on, you’re also de-cluttering your life and saving memories.
Truth or Dare: Takin’ it back old school! Of course, you can buy the game, but you can create your own. Either come up with the truth and dares as you go, or write down some ideas and stick them in a bowl to draw from. This could be a reallllly fun game!
Take time and go for an evening or morning walk as often as you can. Hold hands. This time together will be really nice and enjoyable, whether you talk much or not.
Pretend like it’s your first date–get dressed up, pick her up at the doorstep and 
surprise her on a nice evening out (doesn’t have to be someplace extravagant). Ask the questions you would ask on a first date. Get to know your spouse all over again. It may be silly, but it will be fun. Notice how some of the answers may have changed from your real first date.
Bowling is a fun activity that gives you a little bit of exercise–and there are almost always cheap nights to play or a Groupon or Living Social deal! It is also kid-friendly, if needed.
If you have kids an
d can’t leave them behind for a dinner out, create a restaurant atmosphere at your home, and if they are old enough, have them be your cooks and servers. Tell them it’s date night and ask them to help make it special (even better if this is a surprise to your spouse)!
Speaking of Living Social and Groupon, check out your area to see what activities are 
available for an awesome price (and use Ebates for an even better savings!) and an awesome experience. Aside from bowling, there’s often arts and crafts, restaurants, races (fun 5Ks and marathons), comedy clubs, dance classes, local movies, exercise-type classes and so many other things to do that can be done together for a great time out.
Some banks offer free or discounted tickets, like Bank of America offers free admission on the first weekend of the month to some museums–just for being a member! Check your bank and credit cards to see if they have any benefits that can translated in a fun time.
Watch a cooking show, or look up how-to cooking videos and recipes to create a themed dinner party for yourselves (invite friends for double dates and group dates)! Go Italian, or maybe Mexican, for the night, dress and cook accordingly, . Pick a fun theme and go for it! The more people you do have over, the more yummy foods you can try! Make sure to put on the appropriate music and maybe find a themed game to play. Mexican Charades? Oh, yeah!
There are so many fun and cheap date ideas to do, some without even leaving your own home, but plenty out in the real world. Make the time and enjoy each other’s company in honor of ‘Date Your Mate’ Month. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something that will be a regular weekly or monthly fun event! Share your ideas!
