10 Winter Date Ideas That Cost Zero

Although you can’t control the temperature falling, you can make sure that your relationship fire stays burning despite the colder temperatures–no matter how tight your budget might be–with these 10 winter date ideas that cost zero. 

10 Winter Date Ideas That Cost Zero

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1. Hot Chocolate Sunrise Or Sunset

 I stole this idea from this article over at the Dating Divas. Figure out what day you could view either the sunset or the sunrise together. Next figure out when the sun will either rise or set that day and where to best view it. The day of make two mugs full of hot chocolate (here is my simple recipe using just three ingredients that pretty much everyone has in their home), get bundled up and head to your viewing destination. Don’t forget blankets for extra warmth!

If you are lucky enough to grab a spot where you can stay in the car and watch, make sure to further set the romantic mood with music on your car radio or through your favorite music app.

Psst…you could also use these 8 places to earn gift cards to Starbucks so you can grab your favorite hot chocolate or hot beverage on your way to your view site.

2. Sledding

Sledding or snow tubing is not just for kids–it can be a blast for adults too!

You don’t need sleds to go sledding, although they do help. Thick plastic garbage bags or a big piece of cardboard wrapped in plastic can work in a pinch. You could put out a thrifty Facebook shout out and see if you could borrow some.

3. Winter Wonderland Walk

Pretty much every town has that one neighborhood or park that is beautiful in the snow. Generally it has trees that seem to sparkle or a waterway that freezes over and glints on a sunny winter day.

Grab your partner and get out and walk that walk together.

4. Dream Date

Grab a snack to share, a hot cup of whatever, a pad of paper and a pen. Head somewhere quiet either at home or in your community and create a bucket list of dreams.

No dream is too silly, too big, too small or too out there to be added to this list. Make this a judgment-free planning session.

 

5. Game Night With A Twist

It is a rare household that doesn’t have at least one board game, dice game or deck of cards somewhere in their home. Dig yours out and host a game night with your spouse, but spice it up a bit.

It could be something as simple as the person who wins the most rounds get the remote for the week. Or you could do a St–p version of the game (I will let your imagination fill in the blanks).

For a quick and fast game that you can play round after round until someone ends up n–ed (again use your imagination) try Tenzi.

6. Cozy Up And Binge

Pick a series you have both been dying to watch and binge watch it together through your favorite streaming service. Make sure you cuddle up while watching.

7. Think HOT

Set aside one evening to plan out your summer. What places do you want to visit? What did you do last summer that you want to do again? What get-togethers do you want to host? Etc. Get into the mood by serving drinks and snacks you usually only enjoy in summer. 

8. Campfire And S’mores

Sure s’mores and campfires seem like more of a summer thing, but on a mild winter night, a backyard campfire just might be a great way to make some memories. And cozying up around a warm fire is pretty romantic too. 

Here is a twist on traditional S’mores our family loves!

9. Tourists In Your Own Town

Discover free places and events in your community that you can visit or attend during the winter months. Some cities make their museums free on President’s Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Day; other smaller museums are free 100% of the time.

Many winter climate towns hold winter festivals that include ice-carving, igloo building, and other wintertime activities.

10. Snuggle Up And Read

So if you and your spouse are not bookworms like my husband and I are you are probably going to want to skip this idea, but for those that are bookworms: head to the library and pick out a good read, then cuddle up and read side by side.

Or you could even pick one book and take turns reading aloud to each other. Another variation is to pick one book you both want to read and listen to it through an audiobook app like audible (get a free two-month trial) while cooking together, crafting, or cleaning out the garage (yep, chores done together can be counted as a date too).

3 More Articles Full Of Thrifty Dating Ideas:

• 10 Christmas Time Date Ideas That Cost Zero
• 10 Spring Date Ideas That Cost Zero
• 10 Fall Date Ideas That Cost Zero