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Tip Store: Entertainment: Date Night

​Dinner for Two at Our Very Own Restaurant

Approximate $ Savings: $100 plus
​ Earlier this week my husband and I celebrated our fifteenth wedding anniversary. In previous years, we have always gone out to dinner to celebrate. However, this year we are saving for a special holiday and so we decided to think of a different way to celebrate. So..... my kids (aged 10 and 7) helped me to set a 'table for two' in our living room. We set the table with a pure white table cloth, our best cutlery and crockery, a single rose (from the garden) and a candle. I cooked my husbands favourite meal and hunted out a couple of old tapes that had 'our songs' on them. When my husband arrived home from work, he was 'ushered' into the 'restaurant' by two little 'waiters' (dressed up in crisp white shirts). They handed us the menu for the evening (created that afternoon by the pair of them), and proceeded to 'wait' on the two of us for the evening. They had an absolute ball and we had a most unique and romantic anniversary. It was a fabulous way to save some money and have a great 'night in'.
- Contributed by Loretto, Bushfield, 9th January 2010

Date Night for the Price of a Couple of Snags

We have six children and don't get a lot of whole nights to ourselves but I managed to get a couple of people to have our kids overnight. For dinner we were invited to a friends birthday party round a bonfire (dinner sorted), then we asked a friend with a Z350 if we could borrow his car and he said yes, so we are going for a drive down the coast in a nice car, then back to a mates for a bbq and then sleeping in our own bed with no kids to climb in with us. Feels just like a hotel experience. Cost: a couple of sausages and quarter tank of petrol. Good friends too
​- Contributed by Karen Armstrong, 4th June 2010

​Games Night In

Once the kids are in bed and asleep, Have a games night IN! Make it more fun if you stick with a theme. Trivia Pursuit 80s with the music; maybe some Blue Nun wine. Don't forget Naughty Word Scrabble; you could even get risqué and do strip poker (or even Snap...). Go back to being a 'teenager' again and relive the fun.
​- Contributed by Bindii B., 18 December 2009

​Date Night or Daytime Fun

​We've been trying to think up fun ideas for date night. What we came down to was that date 'night' was restricting our thinking so we've broadened it to include daytime fun too and came up with some ideas to do together with and without the kids like: picnics at local parks or beaches, shopping days (not food shopping and other very functional stuff), take a river walk and feed the ducks, take a bush walk to something of interest like a waterfall and chat about good or funny memories, go boating, walking, biking, swimming, to the movies at home with microwave popcorn (maybe borrow a DVD you haven't seen yet from a friend), go on day trip to a beach or local free event around town, look at your wedding and honeymoon photos together, make then share a list of 10 reasons why you love your partner or each write a list of things you find romantic and then you swap lists/ideas and each do one of them for the other person and finally we thought of making nice pudding for ourselves, indulging in a relaxing bath and maybe even playing a board game. With experience we have decided that too much serious chat should take place at times other than 'date night' or it becomes unappealing and not much fun. Hope there's something for you there :)
​- Contributed by Meagan Vorster, 18th December 2009

​Dessert Dates

​Have a dessert date. You've had dinner, put the kids to bed. Now it's time for you to get dressed up - take a blanket outside - and have dessert and stare at the stars. Use the kids game where you look up at clouds, but you'll have to use the stars, to find pictures/shapes/faces. Snuggle up, enjoy the outdoor space and being "out".
​- Contributed by Maren Scriven, 17th December 2009

​Make a Date and Share the Evening Together

Once the kids are in bed for the night, you can share a special evening with your husband. Take it in turns to cook something different- they don't need to be expensive things- you could make it a theme night, have an Italian night (pizza and pasta) or Mexican (nachos or burritos) for example. Spend some time talking and playing a board game. You will notice that by setting a "date" night you won't be inclined to go off and watch TV etc you will share the evening together.
​- Contributed by Kelly Harris, 17th December 2009

​Dessert Under the Stars

Make your favourite dessert from the Cheapskates Recipe File, grab a picnic rug, pillows and baby monitor and have dessert in the garden under the stars.
​- Contributed by Lyndel Dempsey, 17th December 2009

​Date Nights Help Parents Keep It Together

Date nights are the best way for my husband and I to keep it together! My favourite lately is to leave dessert till baby is in bed then put a blanket on the lawn outside and eat out under the stars. Take a couple of tea light candles if you wish. Do you have a tent? Put it up in the back yard and sleep outside, take the baby monitor or leave a window open so you can hear the kids. Its like going to a motel without the expense! You don't have to spend all night outside, just an hour or so, maybe long enough to watch a DVD. We have a small portable DVD player that we bought for the car that we sometimes set up outside and watch either in the tent or on the deck after dessert. I will often take the foot spa out and soak my feet at the same time. If the mozzies are out then its Board games, cards and Uno that feature heavily at my house. If the kids have a small canvas or blow up swimming pool, this is a great place to sit on a hot night whilst watching a DVD too. Spray a bit of Aerogard around the outside rim of the pool and you will be mozzie free! You can also add some aromatherapy oils if you wish to help you relax, just make sure it won't damage the pool lining. Relax and enjoy!
​- Contributed by Melissa Lemesi, 17th December 2009

Romantic Picnic for Two on the Loungeroom Floor

I understand the need for time together. What I did was a picnic on the lounge floor for the two of us. I would buy crackers and a nice cheese, and add a bottle of wine, that were all on special and add some grapes. Then put down a nice blanket or a duvet cover on the lounge floor, light some candles, turn on the stereo, and there you have a romantic picnic for two with out having to get a baby sitter or travel any where. I would buy crackers and dips and anything else that I thought would be nice when I saw them on special and put them away in the cupboard so that I had a little stash of things to choose from for when we had our "picnic". We also would play scrabble or just relax with the candles and music. have fun.
​- Contributed by Diane Mumford, 17th December 2009

​Date Night Deal Shares Babysitting

​I know what's it's like to feel stuck at home, we have four young kids, but getting out is so good! So we have a deal with my brother and sister-in-law, who also have small kids. Once each month either my husband or I babysit at their house from 7pm while their kids are in bed and vice versa, it saves a lot on a babysitter and it's no extra work as the kids are already in bed. When it's our turn out, we usually go for a walk together, it's a great way to chat and so refreshing just the two of us. You could take a picnic in the summer, or stop somewhere just for a coffee when it's too cold.
​- Contributed by Kathryn Messenger, 17th December 2009

​Get Dressed Up and Eat Dessert

​Have a dessert date. You've had dinner, put the kids to bed. Now it's time for you to get dressed up - take a blanket outside - and have dessert and stare at the stars. Use the kids game where you look up at clouds, but you'll have to use the stars, to find pictures/shapes/faces. Snuggle up, enjoy the outdoor space and being "out".
​- Contributed by Maren Scriven, 17th December 2009

Date Night Ideas

​Movies from the library, or at the cinema on Cheap Tuesday, or recorded when you were too tired to watch them. Put some music on and dance like you're single again. Cook dinner together. Give each other massages. Picnic under the stars on your back lawn. Reciprocal turns with friends - she cooks a meal of your choice (with your ingredients), delivers and serves it in your candlelit kitchen/dining room/ back yard and then you return the favour. In the dim dark days of yore, I found listening to my man do the dishes without any help while I soaked in the bath totally uninterrupted to be extremely romantic!
​- Contributed by Heather Matthews, 17th December 2009

​Set a Romantic Mood

Try setting the table with candles, flowers, anything you have that looks nice and having dinner together after the kids are in bed (dinner can be baked beans on toast or whatever you would have had). Or have hot chocolate and play a board game / cards or watch a DVD (one you have or have borrowed off a friend). Or tackle a task together that you wouldn't enjoy alone (we've sorted boxes of junk or cupboards etc this way and had fun).
​- Contributed by Ruth Miller, 17th December 2009

Take Turns Planning Date Nights

​Why don't you take it in turns to think up some creative date ideas once a month or on a regular basis? Some things could include a movie(DVD) with popcorn and hand-holding, dancing to a CD, playing a board game together, taking a bath together, giving each other massages with aromatherapy oils, cooking and eating a candlelit dinner, a picnic outside in the garden with some wine and cheese and fresh fruit. Make sure you unplug the phone! Another idea for couples with young children is to set up a babysitting network with friends. Swapping nights or even just afternoons of looking after each others children is an inexpensive way to get out on your own together.
​- Contributed by Sonia Donaldson, 17th December 2009

​Cheap Ideas Can Make Date Night Fun

​Finding us time can be lovely with a few cheap ideas. Firstly put on ice a lovely bottle of wine, make up a cheese or biscuit and dip platter for two, have your favourite munchies. Set the mood right, soft easy listening music, tealight candles, bottle of baby oil and have the massage you can both enjoy without the high price of going and paying for one to be done. If you face each other, your legs in between your partners, your partners on the outer side of yours, you can enjoy giving each other a wonderful foot massage at the same time, having a drink, massage, time together, conversation it does not come much better than that. Hope this helps.
​- Contributed by Lorraine Blewitt, 17th January 2009

​Babysitting Clubs Make Date Nights Easy

​My children are older now, however up until 12 months ago, I was a member of a local babysitting club. It was fantastic in two ways. Members are charged points,1 point per hour between 7pm and midnight, double points before 7pm and after midnight. Thus if you went out for 5 hours you were in debit 5 hours and the sitter has 5 hours credit. It was so nice to have a break from the kids. We often went to a small, local cinema and got $5 movie tickets and a cheap meal. The other advantage was going out to sit. The rules of the club included supper, blanket etc. The kids were often in bed or ready for bed, so you could sit back, relax watch Foxtel (which we don't have) and have a break from your own kids. ALL members were recommended and due to new Victorian Government rules now have Working With Children checks. I highly recommend babysitting clubs. You could set one up with your friends. Goodluck, and take a break you both deserve it, and it doesn't cost any money just a little time.
​- Contributed by Roslyn Patterson, 18th December 2009

​Turn Off the Lights and TV and Create a Romantic Atmosphere

​Play board games or card games and turn the TV off. If you don't have any/many, then borrow from your local library or friends. Have a movie night, make some popcorn at home, turn the lights off and create some atmosphere. Pack a picnic. You can have a romantic picnic in your backyard while the kids are asleep. Light some candles to set the mood. Use vegetable oil that you have in the pantry and take turns giving each other massages. Again, turn off the TV, put on some relaxing music and light those candles. These are all great things you can do after the kids are in bed, you are home saving money but doing things a bit differently so that the focus is on you as a couple. Enjoy!
​- Contributed by Rachael Campbell, 18th January 2009

​Boardgames

We have young kids and find it hard to get the time to go out so instead we bring out a board game once in a while. If you have adult dinner after your kids are in bed, maybe think about taking it outside, or just changing the location from where you usually would eat. Light some candles, play some music and spend quality time together (TV off!). Change is as good as a holiday, so they say. Have fun!!!
​- Contributed by Peta Sargent, 18th December 2009

​Boardgames and Cake Give Couples Time Out

My partner and I play games like UNO or Battleships, doesn't sound romantic but we talk and light a candle joke around. We also get or make a desert like pie or chocolate cake and feed each other. On warm nights try laying a blanket on the lawn (with the door open so you can hear the kids) and look at the stars.
​- Contributed by Karen Taylor, 18th December 2009

​Swap Babysitting and Go Out on Date Night

As a mother of 4 boys I met lots of other parents at pre-school/kindy in the same boat so we organized a simple swap night. Once a fortnight one parent would babysit at our house (the other at home with their own children) and my husband and I would go out. No money was exchanged as we would then take our turn the following fortnight. It kept our sanity and saved us in babysitting fees as well as the peace of mind at having a caring person who knew the children.
​- Contributed by Vanessa Teahan, 18th December 2009

​You Don't Have to Spend Money on Date Night

Canvass your family/friends - hopefully someone will be happy to stay at your place with the kids for two or three hours at a time so you two can enjoy each others company alone. On fine nights have a picnic or go for a stroll, if the weather is more inclement drive to a romantic spot and enjoy the scenery. If the babysitters are available during the daylight hours you could go for a bike ride or even for an inexpensive ice cream and walk in the local park.
​- Contributed by Tania G., 18th December 2009

​Enjoy a Date in Just Four Hours

​My husband and I have four hours respite a fortnight as we have two children with disabilities. We can't afford to go out for dinner every time so here are some ideas we've used (adapted to at home). DVD replays, make some popcorn, turn all the lights and phone off and go to the movies at home. Choose one you both like or take in turns to watch your favourites. Now it's summer have dinner outside on a picnic rug after the kids have gone to bed. Card games and board games, even though there are just the two of you, you can still have fun!
​- Contributed by Michelle Hansen, 18th December 2009

​Keeping Date Night Simple

Organise for family or friends to babysit for the evening, cook an easy meal that you both enjoy (ravioli is quick and easy, and with all the varieties available, a bit 'posh' too), rent a movie, get a bottle of wine and some nibbles and enjoy. Or, if the weather and your location allows, get some fish and chips on the beach, followed by a nice walk as the sun is setting.
​- Contributed by Belinda Carr, 18th December 2009

​Dinner and Games on Date Night

​We have two kids under two and can completely relate to your dilemma. We recently started 'games night' every Wednesday and absolutely love it. I make dinner such as curry and rice which can be eaten from a bowl whilst playing. I often make enough curry on the weekend for two or three meals and freeze it so I can just enjoy the night. Depending how late we sit down to play and how tired we are, we play Scrabble or Monopoly (given to each other for our recent anniversary), Connect 4, Battleship, Backgammon or Carcassone (highly recommended). We often have some chocolate to nibble on as we play and or an icy pole. Sounds simple but great fun. We have also tried movie night, but I can never stay awake!
​- Contributed by Monika Hasnat, 18th December 2009

​A Daggy Date

​This is a little bit daggy, but hey! If you have friends with children that would like a night off as well why not ask them to babysit for the night and you can return he favour when they'd like to have their turn. While the kids are at your friends place you could take a meal down to the beach or park and have an evening picnic together. Or have a meal at home(but set the table up like a romantic restaurant with candles and flowers from your garden) and follow it up with a movie or 'something' ;).
​- Contributed by Natasha Kelly, 18th December 2009

​Grown-up Time and Romance in Your Own Backyard

​The cheapest and easiest romantic time-out is your own backyard! Drag a table outside, collect some candles/tea light candles. Place two - three large candles in the centre of the table and place tealights all around the table on the ground. Pick some flowers from the garden and place on the table. Grab a radio or your favourite music CDs and put on some music, treat yourselves to some cheap takeaway, or if it doesn't fit the budget, buy a bottle of wine and cook a nice meal while your hubby is bathing the kids and getting them into bed!!! Turn out the lights and enjoy a romantic dinner outside, some adult (non-interrupted) conversation and some romantic dancing under the stars (no excuses, no-one can see you both!). If you have a slow cooker, you can even have the meal cooking during the day and ready to serve as soon as those little heads hit the pillow. Enjoy your adult time and romance - cheap cost and no distractions!
​- Contributed by Tracy New, 18th December 2009

​Simple Date Nights

If you have friends or grandparents that would be willing to babysit, date nights could be as simple as a picnic by the beach or in a park (food you would be eating anyway), a stroll and an ice-cream in the city or admiring a favourite view. If there is no one to babysit, how about just setting up a date with a theme, be it a massage for your partner, a special dinner that you have cooked and set the table specifically for you two. Even just sitting in the back yard and having a chat (a different location instead of in front of the television/computer).
​- Contributed by Lolita Poli, 18th December 2009

​Date Night at Home

​Dinner by candle light. Pick something simple you can prepare earlier and whip out once the little ones are asleep. Dress the table and yourselves nicely. After could be something as corny as dancing around the living room to music from your dating days, or cosying up on the couch with a good DVD.
​- Contributed by Jacinta Hay, 18th December 2009

​Date Night

Why not try an indoor picnic in the comfort of your own home? Lay a blanket on the floor, put on some music, turn off the lights and put on a lamp or light some candles. Light an oil burner or some incense, open a bottle of wine and feed each other some nibblies. You could play a board game or treat each other to a massage, perfect for these balmy summer evenings. Enjoy!
​- Contributed by Jessica Williams, 18th December 2009

​Dinner Dance for Two

​It's always hard with littlies but time alone is so important! After they are asleep take the TV out side set up a blanket, some wine and nibblies and watch a movie under the stars! If you have the energy after the kids go down cook yourselves a really nice meal serve it like a restaurant would (leave the dishes til tomorrow) with candles and a nicely set table and music. When you are finished have a dance just as you probably would if you were out. Board games and cards, although not very romantic, are fun and your still together! Another option would be to child swap with another couple for a few hours each week they would probably love some alone time to! Hope this helps good luck!
​- Contributed by Lisa Hampton, 19th December 2009

​Campfire Desserts

A campfire dessert in your loungeroom or even the backyard on a nice night. Two or three tea light candles (or even a torch) surrounded by crumpled red and yellow cellophane provide the campfire. Cosy blankets and pillows on the floor/ground and maybe something a little special to have for dessert can provide a wonderful evening of sharing. You could then re-use this idea for a family campfire night with the kids. Tinned food or maybe BBQ and campfire songs and stories make for a wonderful family time as well.
​- Contributed by Linda Boulton, 19th December 2009

​Take Your Date Night into the Night

​Buy a nice (but cheap) bottle of wine, pack some pate, crackers, wine glasses, and picnic rug and visit a nice nightspot (park, riverside, seashore etc) and enjoy. Does your council have movie in the park/free concert nights? This is a great opportunity to stretch out and just enjoy each others company. Don't forget the simple joy of a burger and movie. In fact why not give each other movie passes for birthdays, Christmas, etc, you'll both benefit.
​- Contributed by Liane Mather, 19th December 2009

​Babysitting Club Helps for Night Out

​When my children were small, I belonged to a babysitting club. It was free to use. Each person in the club began with 100 points. For every hour it would cost 4 points. Double points around meal times and after midnight. The total points would be deducted from the person on the night out, and the same points credited to the person babysitting. Each person in the group would take turns to be the secretary for a month. A folder was provided with all the names and addresses and telephone numbers of the members. A ledger was kept with the record of the points. Each member had their own record book. This way it didn't cost anything in babysitting fees.
​- Contributed by Yvette Markham, 20th December 2009

​Candles Set the Mood

​My husband and I regularly cook our favourite meal together, light some tea-light candles (cheap from $2 shops) to place around the room (on the kitchen table, mantle etc..) and enjoy eating together in a candle-lit room. You would be surprised how the different lighting makes the night so much more relaxing! It is often nice to also leave the TV off all night and play cards or a board game for a change too!
​- Contributed by Sophie Morrell, 20th December 2009

​Have Fun on Date Night

​Play some board or card games (make sure you have some consequences for those that lose). Get some videos out (or use the ones you haven't seen for a while in your own collection). Give each other a massage. Make sure that you "dress up" for each other, this way it makes you get in to the mindset that you are there for each other. Get a little present, hide it somewhere, have clues and tasks (fun, sexy ones to reconnect with the other person) to get them to find where it is. Swap around who "organises" the events. Have a brainstorming night for different ideas - you can put a limit on it say $0 to $20 (or whatever). Most of all LAUGH!!!!!! Hope these help.
​- Contributed by Maren, Kallaroo, 17th December 2009

​Date Night

Approximate $ Savings: $100 minimum
​ My husband and I were keen to spend some quality time together over a nice meal but didn't want to spend big money each week on a restaurant. Instead, we plan regular 'date nights' at home. First we feed the kids early with something easy that they like, then let them watch a DVD. Meanwhile, we cook a lovely meal for ourselves with a nice bottle of wine for a fraction of the cost of a restaurant meal. The kids know not to disturb us! This saves money in so many ways: 1. The cost of the meal. Even if we lash out on best quality meat, wine etc, its still less than half the cost of a restaurant. 2. We save the cost of a babysitter. 3. We save on petrol. Finally, we don't need to worry about who's driving home and how much wine they've had! At the end of the evening we really feel as though we've had a lovely evening out!
​- Contributed by Rebecca, Port Vila, 30th November 2009