20 Winter Dates for 20 Bucks

1. Make cookies. You can go homemade or buy a mix.
2. ...and give them away. Package them up in Ziploc bags and deliver them to neighbors or retirement homes near you.
3. Have a kitchen showdown! Challenge each other to a cook-off – you can split the $20 at the grocery store however you’d like, but each person must whip up as full a meal as possible with what they’ve got. This is my Chicken Marsala – do not and I repeat – DO NOT – challenge me to a cook-off.

4. Put together a puzzle together. You can get some cheap ones at Walmart or Dollar Store.

5. Read together. Take turns reading a book back and forth aloud.

6. Do a crossword together. Use whatever’s in the newspaper that week. Or grab a whole book of crosswords from the Dollar Store.

7. Choreograph a synchronized dance together to today’s #1 hit. Google to find out what the top song that day is. Who am I trying to kid…we wouldn’t do this one. My mom always says – “Lori, your middle name is not Grace.” Um…OK. Good one, Mom.

8. Find a new Netflix series to binge. You can get a free trial if you don’t already have NetFlix.

9. Host your own massage night. Dim the lights, grab some lotion and take turns.

10. Pull up free dance lessons on YouTube. Push the couch to the side and learn ballroom or salsa from the best. Hmm…I wish we had done this before our wedding. If you wonder why I say that, ask to see our wedding video. Or not.

11. Grab a bottle of wine (or Coke) and pair it with Scrabble. Forbidden Island. Or Battleship. Whatever ya got.

12. Make your own PIZZA. Grab your favorite toppings from the grocery store and a pack of flatbreads, and whip up a bunch of personal pizzas together.

13. Bundle up and go for a romantic stroll. You’ve gotta hold hands tho.

14. Turn a Goodwill shopping excursion into a style challenge. Split your cash and pick each other out an outfit. You get bonus points if you continue wearing said outfit for the whole date.

15. Forget dinner – go somewhere for dessert. Pick one to share and get 2 forks.

16. Get $10 worth of quarters and hit up the nearest arcade. Skeeball loser has to buy the nachos.

17. Volunteer somewhere together. Whether it’s an animal rescue, homeless shelter, a retirement home, or a charity event, pick something you’re passionate about and spend quality time helping others. You’ll bond. Believe it.

18. Download the free app, SkyView, and see what constellations you can see together. It works through the window from a cozy place inside if it’s frigid. I just tried it.

19. Go around town and pick up all of the local pubs and bars’ happy hour specials. Make a date out of whatever’s on sale. And ONLY what’s on sale.

20. Some museum entries are free on certain days of the week or month. Find out when that’s happening, and go embrace the culture.

BONUSES because coming up with these ideas is E.Z. Come on – I wrote these on my lunch hour.

21. Go coffee shop hopping. Try going to one that neither of you has ever been to before. This is one of our favorite things to do.

22. See a local band or go to an open mic.

23. Karaoke! Grab your date and the mic, and let it fly. You’ll be laughing and singing and having an awesome time. If you’re shy, do it at home with your friend Google.