Ask Elle--The Love Week Edition: Cheap Dates

Welcome to LOVE WEEK on Elle Sees. Everything this week will be love-related and there should be a lil something for everyone. I hope you enjoy it. Love, Elle

I love to give advice and decided to start a monthly ASK ELLE column a few months ago. This month's ASK ELLE is from Ashley who asks, "How can I have a cheap yet romantic Valentine's Day night?" Well, Ashley, I actually did a post on this last year. See below for my Date Night on the Cheap!

Home Alone

• Dine al fresco (or picnic inside)! Two of my good friends actually picnicked on a median (!) in the middle of a non-busy street. People honked and waved as they did so. Unusual, right?
• Camp outside! Put up the tent outside and make the s'mores.Or even camp indoors!
• Cook dinner together. Feed each other some of it. 
• Dress up, cook dinner, and have "restaurant night" at home (or take out!). 
• Read poetry to each other over a delicious dessert. Pablo Neruda is my fave for this.
• Have a party for 2 at home--you decide the theme!
• Shut off all electric devices (including lights). Candles only. Have fun.
• Make it a music night & an instant dance party! Include some slow songs.
• Slumber party...party of 2 that is! Rent movies (preferably a scary movie with the lights off!) & pop the popcorn. Or rent a movie you've never seen or heard of.
• Boardgames & card games & video games--include cheap prizes
• Show a movie outside under the stars (rent a projector & put up a sheet as your screen.)
• Rediscover your hometown. Be a tourist! Do all of the touristy things you never thought you'd do. There are some hidden gems in even the smallest of towns!
• Go to different spots in your city and have strangers take your picture. Make a photo album or scrapbook of the day.
• Make breakfast together.
• Go to the closest big city and do the touristy things there. Take silly pics while you're at it!
• If the weather's nice, get a cheap wading pool, fashion a chaise out of pallets, and mix a drink for instant oasis.
• Set up a little spa area--complete with a DIY pedi! Light the candles and relax. Give each other massages.
• Or create your own beach retreat!
• Star gaze.

Get Out

• Relive your first date (or recreate as closely as possible).
• Mystery date! One person plans everything. Be sure to switch off next time.
• Do a restaurant crawl. Have a drink at one restaurant, appetizers at another, main course somewhere else, and finish with dessert at the last place. Or do it in reverse!
• Go to a dive bar and play darts or pool.
• Grab brunch. No talk of kids, work, or problems.
• Listen to a poetry reading or improv comedy.
• Meet at a bar independently & flirt like you've never met.
• Go to a free outdoor concert (or any concert).
• Karaoke...if you dare!
• Visit the zoo, fair, carnival, or aquarium.
• Go to a flea market, garage sale, or antique shopping.
• Get a hotel for the night in your town! Can't afford that? Do a house-swap with friends for a night! Or stay in your guest room in your own house!
• Roadtrip! Even if it's a ride to nowhere in particular.
• Most museums are cheap or free once a month. Dress up & go visit!
• Do a cocktails & canvas (or any type of class) together. Many are super cheap!
• Volunteer together.
• Take dance lessons--youtube, restaurants, clubs, or dance studios.
• Universities always have student art shows. Go visit and maybe you might find something awesome--for cheap!
• Listen to the orchestra (local or university) or watch a play.
• Test drive a car.
• Grab a sweet dessert to share or a coffee.
• Go to a store and challenge each other to find a really sweet/creative/romantic gift for $10 or $20.

Childhood Games

• Play a boardgame, card game, video game.
• Fly a kite.
• Blow bubbles.
• Go bowling.
• Pick local produce (fruits or veggies) together. (Did y'all ever do that as a school field trip?)
• Go hiking.
• Fingerpaint!
• Put together a puzzle.
• Draw with chalk.
• Go rollerskating/blading either outside or at the local skating rink.
• Visit an arcade and challenge each other.
• Have a watergun fight.
• Play on the playground--have a picnic there, swing on the swings or chase each other around.
• Play a sport together or take a lesson on it.
• Into sports? Watch the kids play locally. Or support a local sports team--no matter how bad they are.

Do you have any cheap date ideas NOT listed above? Please share in the comments!

Do you have a question you want answered? Ask me in the comments, ask me via Twitter or send me an email!