A Guy’s Guide to Budget First Date Ideas
Guys, we’ve all been there. You meet someone new, excitedly arrange a first date and, eager to impress, try to come up with something other than drinks at the local pub. Then you open your wallet and those cartoon moths fly out.
Skint. Broke. Tapped out. You need to get creative with your time and money, or lack thereof.
The good news is, throwing money at a date with someone you’re incompatible with isn’t going to suddenly transform it into a romance for the ages. So actually taking the time to get to know one another in the early stages of a relationship, without breaking the bank, is by far the most sensible option.
Here are 5 budget dating ideas that are bound to impress:
Go Outside
Fresh air, clear blue skies, the wonders of nature; you really can’t beat it. And with all the talking that occurs in the early stages of a relationship, what better setting for relaxed and quiet conversation than the great outdoors?
Keep it casual and not too strenuous (i.e. a summer stroll in the park, rather than an all-out assault on K2). Be sure to plan ahead, check the weather forecast, and don’t spring it on your date last minute, giving them enough warning to at least wear some comfortable shoes!
To cap it off, choose an end point such as a nice country pub with a roaring fireplace, or a seaside fish & chip shop for some much needed grub after all that walking.
Stay Inside
You know what’s more affordable than going to a fancy restaurant? NOT going to a fancy restaurant. Instead, have a night in and treat that special someone to a home-cooked meal. Even if you don’t fancy yourself as the next Gordon Ramsay, there’s a low risk recipe out there with your name on it.
A pro tip would be to invest in a slow cooker. Slow cooked meals are super easy to prepare, and super difficult to mess up. Chuck a bunch of root vegetables, some nice meat, and some gravy into the slow cooker and leave it for 4-8 hours to make a delicious casserole (or, you know, follow a more precise recipe).
Light some candles and serve with a nice glass of red and you’ve got yourself a romantic evening for next to nothing.
Wine/Beer Tasting
If there’s a local bar or restaurant running a tasting evening, then get involved. The tickets are usually a lot cheaper than a few rounds at the bar, and if you’re lucky the wines or beers are paired with different finger foods.
This is a different take on a boring old pub date. Not only will you learn something new, conversation is sure to flow as you compare tasting notes and opinions on what you’ve just sampled.
Museums
Depending where in the world you are, museums and art galleries are quite often free. A classic first date option, there’s no shortage of topics of conversation as you browse exhibits, particularly if you opt for something a little quirkier and more interactive than fine art.
If your town or city has a science or natural history museum, then you’ve got yourself the ideal setting for an affordable, relaxed, and most importantly fun date.
Book Shops
Dating a book worm? Then why not spend an afternoon browsing and chatting in a local book shop? You can each split up and find a few of your favourite books, then meet back up and talk about why they mean so much over a coffee or two.
And if you both come back with the same book? Well, you may have found yourself a keeper!
What’s your favourite budget date? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter!
