The holiday push is over and resolutions are fresh—it’s a great time to dote on and cultivate your relationship! It’s also when holiday spending can catch up to even the most frugal and careful planner. Between travelling expenses, gifts, and incidentals, January is often a time to tighten those belts. Regardless of your financial situation, it’s easy to make your relationship a priority and inject some fun into your schedule with these cheap (or free) date ideas!
Go On a (Candy) Bar Tour
When my husband and I visited Frederick, MD, we realized we had come upon the good luck of a town that had three gourmet confectioneries. We bought two different items at each store, split each, and ended up taste testing six candies. If you don’t have multiple candy stores in your area, pick out a few delicacies from the grocery store or Godiva that you’ve been meaning to try but never have. (If you sign up for Godiva’s rewards program, you choose a free truffle every month. No purchase is necessary.) Share the candies and compare notes!
Do Some Checking Out
Hit up the local library and borrow each other’s favorite book. While you’re there, take a second to look at the community board for more date ideas!
Get Cozy at a Park
Chances are you live close to a state or National Park! Unless you’re in a place that thrives on winter tourism, January and February are slow months for state and National Parks, which means easier access to the sites that might otherwise be filled with road-tripping families and bus tours. Only 133 out of over 400 National Parks charge an entrance fee, and for those, the National Park Service offers fee-free days on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 20) and through Presidents’ Day Weekend (February 15-17). If you can’t make it on those weekends, the NPS also offers a free America the Beautiful Annual Pass for active duty military members. Call 1-800-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747) and choose extension 1 to order your pass.
Bust a Move Together
Don’t know The Wobble yet? A little rusty on The Electric Slide? Or have you always wanted to learn how to waltz but could never get to classes? Find a tutorial on YouTube, clear the furniture from the living room and learn a new dance together to bust out at the next party you attend.
Discover a Local Business
One of the wonderful blessings about the military lifestyle is the opportunity to live in so many unique places. Often though, with deployments, trainings, and the miscellanea of life, it can be easy to put off exploring your town. Take an afternoon or night and enjoy browsing at a shop you haven’t been to yet. Window shop the specialty spice emporium, drop in at the cupcakery, or get a cup of joe at a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop.
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About the Author: Jo is the author of Jo, My Gosh!, a blog about her journey as a newlywed military wife. When she’s not working from home, she’s writing, reading, trying new recipes, or cross stitching. You can follow her on twitter @jomygosh or facebook.
